Page 4 of Wild Heart
I raise my eyebrows at her, because as far as I know she’s never been to a club before either.
“I mean, I guess they do,” she mumbles as she takes another sip.
“Don’t worry. Just enjoy yourself.”
I stand up and head to the railing to look out over the club. Jude’s words have me rattled. Why are they giving us special treatment? They can’t know who I am, can they?
My gaze scans the club, but it’s not cute boys on the dance floor that I’m looking for. My gaze darts all over the place until I spot him. The handsome stranger. He’s moved from his booth, and he’s leaning over a railing near the dance floor right at thebottom of the stairs that leads up here. He’s also looking straight up at me.
My breath catches in my throat, and my mouth goes dry. He is definitely the best looking man I’ve ever seen. Even for an older man.
I break the eye contact, but my pulse still races.
If someone has recognized me, then it won’t be long until my father turns up to drag me home. I came out to have some fun, and that’s exactly what I’m going to do.
Feeling suddenly thirsty, I grab my cocktail and slurp half of it down. It doesn’t taste like I expected vodka to taste. It just tastes like cranberry and grapefruit juice. But the only other alcohol I’ve ever had is the occasional red wine at dinner and amaretto at Christmas, so what do I know?
“I’m going to the bathroom,” I tell my friends. “Why don’t you guys go dance?”
Cassie shakes her head. “I’m good here. I like observing.”
Jade nods in agreement. “Me too.”
They cling to their drinks, and I have to smile at my friends. I dragged them out here, and I love that they both went along with my scheme despite clearly not wanting to be here.
I give them both a spontaneous hug.
“What’s that for?” says Cassie laughing.
I shrug. “Just to let you know I love you guys.”
Then I turn and head down the stairs.
3
RAIDEN
My body vibrates from the close proximity of the speaker, and my ears will be ringing for hours. But my position by the dance floor was the best place to keep an eye on Isabella.
When I explained the situation to my men, they each took up positions around the club. If any scumbag tries anything with Isabella, one of my guys will be on hand to step in.
I suspect Axel knows she’s here by the way she was taken up to the VIP booth. Why the hell he’s letting Isabella Berone drink in his club, I have no idea. I’ll have to ask him all about it at the next poker night. But she’s here now, and at least we’ll be able to tell her father we did our best to protect her.
But it’s not for the sake of Isabella’s father that I’m positioned where I can watch her. I’m racked with jealousy, and the thought of another man talking to Isabella has my fists clenching by my sides.
I watch their cocktails being delivered. These girls are too young to drink, and I hope Axel knows what he’s doing. It’s a dangerous game to get on the wrong side of Carlo Berone.
Isabella saunters over to the railing and comes into view. My chest tightens; she’s fucking gorgeous. Full of confidence as shesurveys the room. Like a fucking queen looking down on her subjects.
Her gaze meets mine, and for the second time our eyes lock. She stares at me, and I wonder what she’s thinking. Earlier she smiled at me, a small coy smile. A smile any man would cherish coming from a woman like her. A flirty smile that set my pulse racing.
She’s got no business smiling at men like that. It’ll get her into trouble if she smiles at every man she looks at like that.
I’m not about to let that happen. I’ve had my eyes on the VIP booth ever since.
There’s no smile this time, and she breaks the eye contact first. She steps back from the railing and disappears from view.
It feels like the room got colder.
