Page 67 of Dagger in the Sea

“Because I’d prefer to get you back on the boat.”

Alessio stood by the table watching us with that same model on his arm. Adriana muttered something harsh in Greek under her breath and grabbed a flute of champagne from the fresh batch a waitress was setting on the table.

Up on the stage, Kaspar was in another zone, in sync with the crowd, with the music he was creating. The high priest conjuring magic at his altar. Showers of champagne spouted and sprayed from those huge bottles. Laughter and shouts, singing. Colored lights streaked over hundreds and hundreds of faces. The Lord Sorcerer had his subjects in his thrall.

I moved toward Alessio. “Alessio—I want her back on the yacht. Now.”

He slanted his head. “What the hell was all that with my brother?”

“That was Luca’s problem. My only concern is keeping Adri safe.”

Alessio’s ground his jaw. “Take my uncle and Miguel with you. I’ll call the crew for the launch.” He got on his cell phone.

I gestured at Miguel, and he hustled over. I let him know what happened and that he and I would be taking Gennaro and Adriana back to the yacht.

He smoothed a hand down his formidable chest. “Let’s roll.” He went over to Gennaro, interrupting his lively conversation with two young women, and spoke in his ear. Alessio and Luca argued in Italian in low tones.

I leaned into Adri. “We’re going back to the boat. Say your goodbyes.”

“I’m ready.” Adri put down her empty glass, and we headed for the beach along with Miguel and Gennaro. She came to an abrupt halt and ripped off her high-heeled sandals, and we continued down the sandy shore to where the small boat waited. A busboy trailed behind us, holding a crate filled with bottles of pink and gold champagne.

Luca caught up with us. He was alone. Did Alessio tell him to leave?

The boat propelled us back to theAllegraover smooth dark waters, the music a thumping haze behind us. Finally, the launch came up against the yacht’s bumpers, the two crew members on board pulling on her ropes, steadying her. Gennaro and Miguel got off first. I took Adri’s hand and led her to the edge.

“No, no,”came Luca’s gravelly voice. “You two are coming with me.”

“Ti?”Adriana said. “What are you talking about?”

“I’ve been invited to a party on Evgeny’s boat.” He gestured at the white Russian mega ship anchored beyond the cove, not too far from us. “Special party. Very special.”

“Have a great time,” I bit out. “We’re not interested.”

Luca muttered in Italian to the crew, and the rope was immediately tossed back at the launch. “Sit. Down,” he said, his voice low.

“Luca!” I gritted out.

“Don’t you still want to make a deal for your boss, Turo? You will get that chance, si, ZioGennaro?” he said loudly to his uncle who stood on the deck of theAllegrawatching us.

“Si.”Gennaro eyed me. He gave us a slight wave and put a hand on Miguel’s arm. They turned and disappeared into the yacht. My gut knotted.

“I’ll come with you,” I said. “But not Adri. Adri stays on theAllegra. I don’t think Alessio would be happy to know you’ve taken her for a night out.”

“I don’t know how happy Alessio would be about the two of you so cozy together all day and all night, eh? It’s just for a few hours. I want to enter Evgeny’s party with more than just another prettyficaon my arm.”

I ground my teeth at his use of the term “pussy” for Adri. “Watch what you say—”

“I want you with me, Turo. I need to re-negotiate a few terms with him. He’s very stubborn though. You have a certain reputation in Chicago. The negotiator with the velvet tongue, yes? Tell me, Adri, is his tongue that remarkable?”

Adri let out a string of foul curses in Italian and Greek.

“Tsk tsk.” Luca let out a soft rolling laugh. “Turo, you do this for me—with Adri—and I’ll let you talk to my uncle again. And I won’t say a word to my brother about the two of you.” His tongue slid along his upper lip.

This fucking asshole.

“Let Adri go,” I said.

“No.” He gestured to the boat staff with a flick of his finger and leaned back in his seat.

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