Page 13 of Shattered Diamonds

I watch her from afar. I glare at him, but he doesn’t make a move. I still don’t like it.

“Remove him.”

She shouldn’t be in this atmosphere. She doesn’t belong here. I can see why Cillian is so overprotective of her. Is it because she is so innocent or is it because he has conformed her life to be that innocent? I’m confused as to why he would release her to an underground world as vile as this one. I’m sure he would not be okay with her being here tonight. Cillian has too many enemies to give her this much freedom. This isn’t like taking a quick trip to the mall with her girlfriend and bodyguard in tow. Nah, her cousin has something to do with this. “Bring her to me.”

“Yes, sir.”

I watch from my perch as Joseph makes his way to her. She glares at him then turns back to her cousin. The fight she bet on is about ready to start. I want her by my side when she watches the vicious execution of man versus man. I see her cousin talking to her. A lifeless laugh fills my chest. She is giving him a ration of shit. Joseph stands there, patiently waiting. He’s the perfect protégé under Antonio, Giovanni, and I. She flicks her hand and asks him something. He turns my way and nods. Her gaze slides across the ring and connects with mine. Then she turns back and chews Joseph up, but she doesn’t make any kind of stance to move in my direction.

I lift my hand to my earpiece and order, “Tell her to get her curvy ass over here. Now. She will not appreciate the consequences if I have to come to her.” I don’t even know this girl. Any normal, rational thinking female would run for the fucking hills, but I know what I see in her, behind those unknowing pale, ice green eyes.

She turns her back on them, searching for me. I lift my suit covered arm and twist my hand, slowly crooking my index finger at her. I swear I can feel her breath from the forced huff of agitation she releases all the way over here on the other side of the ring. She turns from her cousin and slams her heeled feet against the blood-stained concrete floor, heading my way with an objective. Joseph is in tow as he should be.

When she reaches me, she opens her mouth to yell, but the music changes to the songWhat’cha Wantby the Beastie Boys. It’s Ghost’s entrance song. It’s so loud, and even if she did screech, protesting, I wouldn’t have heard what she said. Ghost enters the ring. A silent warrior. The crowd merges in, in blood-hungry excitement. Instinctively, I grab her and shove her in front of me. Her back is glued to my front. She is so much smaller than me, but her stature is that of an average-sized woman. I lean down, getting right next to her ear, and question, “Why did you choose Ghost to win? He’s the underdog.”

She twists her head and tilts it back then closes the gap between her head and shoulder. The coarse hair of my beard scrapes the soft skin of her neck and tickles her. The scent of her hair fills my nostrils. Jasmine. She smells like jasmine. It’s rich and sweet and fruity and so damn sensual. The small white leaf flower mirrors what I see in her; delicate and pure.

She turns halfway, her hand resting on my forearm as she pushes herself up on her tiptoes. I lean down to meet her. “Because every dog has their day, and it doesn’t have to always be a bad one.” She eyes me for a moment before turning back around. My hand slides around her waist, possessively pulling her back and holding her to my chest. She stiffens at my splayed hand across her stomach, but she doesn’t put up a fight, rather she surprisingly relaxes in my hold.

Luca jumps in the ring, waiting for Rock to enter so he can announce them. The tension is high. Haven shifts on her feet. I can sense the nervous energy running through her body. Whether it be from standing so close to me or the anticipation of the impending battle is hard to decipher.

“What if you lose?” I lean down and question when the music is cut.

“I won’t,” she’s quick to reply.

“How do you know? Look at Ghost. His physique is less developed than Rock’s.”

“That means nothing. It’s about instinct, intelligence, and patience.”

“Want to put up a wager?”

“I already placed a bet.” She half turns to peer at me with squinted eyes.

“Not a monetary bet.” I nod, shifting a bit so that she doesn’t feel the length of my erection against her behind. “That was Ciarán’s money. Care to put up a personal wager?”

She twists to fully face me. “What kind of wager?” Her gaze lingers on my beard.

I can see the curiosity and excitement swirl in her eyes at the thought of gambling.

“I win, you let me take you out. You win, you get to choose the place I take you.”

“Well, now, that is cheeky, isn’t it? Either way, I am consenting to letting you take me out.” I stay silent, waiting for her answer. “I don’t think my brother would appreciate his associate perusing his little sister.”

“Do you always hide behind your big brother?”

“Never.”

“I think you do. I think you are. I think you always have.” I give that a minute to sink in. “Prove me wrong, giovane cucciolo. Are you too nervous to spend the night with me?”

“No,” she’s quick to answer, glaring at me. “It’s not ‘spending the night’ with you either. It would be a date. One where you would bring me home at the end of the evening.”

“Prove it.” I challenge her, ignoring her statement. “Let’s see if you have what it takes to stand on your own two feet?”

“Okay. Here’s the deal. I’ll go out withyouif you tell me what you keep calling me.”

“I’ll tellyouwhat.” I lean back. “If Ghost knocks Rock out in the first round, I’ll tell you, but you have to agree to let me take you out.”

She hesitates for only a moment. “Deal.” She holds her hand out for me to solidify our wager. When I reach to shake it, she pulls her hand back. “Amendment, you have to get approval from my brother first.” I tilt my head to the right, a slight lift of amusement shows with the upturn of my lip. I’m impressed with her negotiation. She reaches forward again, mirth glitters in her gaze. I place my hand in hers. The power-driven current that runs through the both of us at our connecting touch is a stimulant to the spine-tingling arousal.

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