Page 138 of Captive Audience
“Don’t be a party pooper. I want you to meet my new friends, Sergei, Dimitri, and…” Daisy bit her lip.
“Kirill,” said the one who reminded me of Drax fromGuardians of the Galaxy, minus the greenish skin and red tattoos.
“Kirill! Of course, sweetie. How could I forget the name of a big ole slab of man meat like you?” She grasped his shoulder, giving it an appreciative squeeze. “Someone’s been working out. They’re on vacation all the way from Belarus.” Daisy cupped her hands around her mouth and stage-whispered, “I think they’re loaded. This is top-shelf tequila.”
“What happened to girls’ night?” Beth asked.
Daisy gave Beth a hard stare and jerked her chin toward the tray like the expensive drinks explained everything. I’d rather chug Lysol than make small talk with the ogre gang, but at least hanging with them would piss Rook off.
Daisy and her group of giants squished into the booth, and Belarusian Drax ended up beside me.
I glanced to where my bodyguards were seated. Liam was on the phone, looking like his ass was getting chewed out, and Finn was already on his way to our table.
51
ASHA
“Uh-oh,” I said.
“Who’s that?” asked Beth, her eyes on Finn as he approached.
“My bodyguard.”
“You have a bodyguard?”
“Two, actually.” I picked up my tequila shot and a wedge of lime. “Haven’t you heard? I’m the coddled wife of a billionaire now.” I probably shouldn’t have said that so loudly with our new guests. It had to be the alcohol talking.
“Ma’am,” Finn said, stopping beside our table. “You need to come with me.”
“Why?”
“Because your husband would like for you to return home.”
“No. Tell him I’ll be back later.”
“Ma’am, I must insist.”
“Chill, Finn. We’re just having a drink.” I tipped back the shot and gave him a look that dared him to try me. He’d have to climb over the table to pluck me out of this booth. I was in no mood to appease Rook by being his obedient little Mob wife tonight.
Finn clasped his hands and shifted on his feet like he’d rather be anywhere else. “Mr. O’Connell is quite…vexed.”
“Is he?” I bit into the lime wedge, tossed it into my empty shot glass, and smacked my lips. “Good.”
His jaw tightened. “When he gets that way, things tend to become problematic.”
“Problematic for whom?”
He scanned the room, and his voice dropped. “For everyone.”
“I’m feeling pretty vexed myself. You want to know what happens when I get that way?”
Finn blinked.
I leaned forward so he wouldn’t miss my next words. “Husbands get stabbed.”
Daisy choked on her drink. Beth stared as if I’d just sprouted horns. I wasn’t sure if the Belarusians understood any of it. Did they even speak English?
“I’m sorry if this costs you your job, Finn. I really am. But this is allhisfault.”
