Sonata (Butcher and Violinist 2)

You can’t fake for long, Jean-Pierre. By the second game, she’ll see how ridiculous you get with cards.

A major sore loser, Jean-Pierre flipped the table over once and stomped out of the game. Giorgio had been cheating again. Only I couldn’t prove it.

I’d just been about to tell that story to Eden, when I spotted Gwen walk in.

Damn. She came.

Gwen arrived on the second floor, taking away my attention. She wore a fitted black dress. Simple, yet elegant. Covering most of her body, but not hiding it at all.

Her sister wasn’t with her, but four large black men were.

Who the hell are they?

She held an embarrassed expression on her face as she must’ve been searching the space for me. One of the tall men stood on her side. The other three remained in the back.

She whispered something to him.

Scowling, he shook his head.

She rolled her eyes and stormed my way.

He stomped after her.

Who the fuck is this, Gwen? Is he bothering you?

I rose from the table.

Louis did too, always on point, never knowing what we were getting ready for, but always getting ready. “What’s up?”

I gestured toward, Gwen. Everyone turned that way. The table went quiet. I watched Gwen and studied the three guys behind her. They were goons far away from home. The biggest guy smiled at me. His teeth were a shiny gold, and each one had sharpened points. He had a gun under his jacket, whether he’d wanted me to know or not.

In fact, all the men had a weapon on them. I could tell by the swagger in their walk.

Who are these thugs that you’re hanging with Gwen?

Louis leaned my way. “They look like nice guys.”

“They’re with Gwen.”

“I see.”

Jean-Pierre tilted his head to the side to get a view. “Oh, them. Those nice chaps won’t start anything this evening.”

I remained standing, watching her stroll toward me.

Her gaze hit mine. She bit her lip.

Hmmm. Don’t hurt that mouth. I want to taste it. Wait. What am I saying? I’m avoiding women.

But I couldn’t look away or sit back down. A minute later, Gwen walked up to me, filling my space with her fragrance.

“Good evening, Rafael.” She gave me a soft hug. “It was a nice ceremony. Thanks for helping me get here. I’m so sorry for your loss.”

Wrapping my arms around Gwen, I relished in the warmth of her. “Thank you for coming.”

She left my hold. “Of course. So sorry, again—”

Shocked, I asked, “Why are you apologizing?”

She gestured to the guys behind her. “I didn’t want to bring a bunch of people to your party, but I couldn’t avoid it.”

“It’s fine.” I glanced behind her, as the other men made it to us, glaring at me. “Your friends are my friends.”

I turned my attention back to her. “As long as they’re your friends? Are they?”

“Oh, yes.” She gave me a sad smile. “They’re friends and cousins. Trust me. They’re not as bad as they look.”

The guy with sharp gold teeth had heard the statement and spoke up behind her. “Actually, we are as bad as we look.”

I grinned. “They’re also very funny.”

Nervousness dotted her face. “Um. . .thanks. So… I wanted to come by and see how you were doing and say goodbye. I didn’t get a chance to do it at the burial—”

“Say goodbye?” I scrunched my face in confusion. “What do you mean say goodbye?”

The tall guy next to her watched me the whole time. His gaze had never left my face. Meanwhile the other men had scanned everyone at the table.

Trust me, fellas. This isn’t the table to upset. We’ve all been through too much. Even Eden may kick your ass this evening.

“It’s a family thing.” Gwen looked completely uncomfortable explaining. “My father asked me—nicely—to come home.”

“Why?”

She snorted. “I don’t know if you’ve been watching the news, but a lot has been going on in Paris.”

I stirred.

“He’s been watching from the States and thinks it’s worse than what it is.” She shrugged. “Either way, he wants me back. My father was already upset I brought Natalie and Benji with me—his only grandchild. Now after the terrorist attacks, bombings, and even the lions all over…I’m saying goodbye.”

I looked at the men behind her. “He sent friends to come get you?”

Daddy has men. Ones that have guns. No wonder Natalie and you didn’t flinch the days you helped us.

“Yes. My dad sent his friends. . . and family.” That discomfort came again. She shook the expression off her face and gave me another hug. “Either way, I’m flying back to Paris tonight. I have barely a week to pack and get us back to New Orleans. You have my phone number if you need to talk. Giorgio has my email, if you ever want to use that.”

Why does Giorgio have your email? That sneaky bastard.

I didn’t get a chance to say anything else as she made it over to Eden and chattered with her for a little bit. They hugged for a long time and then Gwen said her goodbyes to everyone else. Giorgio rose for a long hug, but he appeared displeased.