“Just now, but you like it. I think it’s clever, and the best part is, it’s true.”
“God, you’re such a dick.” I take a breath, calm myself, and look around. “Where’s Malcolm?”
“Not here yet. I asked around on the way in, and allegedly, he likes to make a late entrance. We need to hang out here until he shows up, and once he’s in the room, that’ll be your window. Otherwise, we can’t be sure that he’s not in the house, lurking around. I’ll drag you off by the hair and we’ll disappear into the upstairs bathroom. But really, you’ll go to his office, the last door on the right, you can’t miss it. There, you do your thing. Five minutes, no more, then you come back and I fuck you for real.”
“Gavino.”
“All right, three minutes, but the fucking is nonnegotiable.”
“How about I take as long as I need and you fuck yourself for me? Make it nice and slow and finish before I show back up.”
“Mmm, I like it when you talk dirty.”
I roll my eyes, smiling, and tug his arm. “Let’s mingle and act like we’re here for something other than robbing the host blind.”
Gavino reluctantly leads me to a nearby group and we begin to talk about land deals and the real estate business in Phoenix. I’d learn a lot if I weren’t so nervous and if it weren’t so supremely boring. But despite myself, it seems that the Bruno family has been slowly getting into the development world for the last few years, and this deal with Malcolm is the culmination of all those efforts. For all his faults, it seems Casso’s a clever businessman and good at building networks of friends and allies, which makes it easier for him to shift more and more of the family’s capital into legitimate deals. The city’s full of gossip about them, or so it seems based on what people are willing to say with Gavino present.
The party drags on. I get increasingly anxious. Malcolm’s nowhere in sight and people begin to leave around midnight. I want to beg them to stay, but a hardcore contingent’s posted up at the bar, still drinking and laughing loudly. My leg’s bouncing as I sit perched on the stool, ignoring the drunk guy on my left as he slurs something about how nice I look in my dress and gets a glare from Gavino that makes him stand up and walk hurriedly away.
I’m about to admit defeat when there’s a stir over near the door. I crane my neck and spot a small entourage of people enter looking like they’d just been at a club. They’re in less formal clothing and the stink of sweat and vodka is strong as they join the group, mingling like they’d only just left. Finally, Benedict sweeps into the room followed by Malcolm. Both of them survey the landscape, and Benedict’s gaze lands on me. His scowl is deep and intense and I remember the knife pressed against my cheek, the wound now just a ghost of the bloody cut he left, but I touch it anyway. The gesture makes him smile.
“Here we go,” Gavino says as puts a hand right above my ass. I get to my feet and that hand moves down to firmly grip a cheek. “It’s not hard to pretend like I want you right now, you know.”
“We’re not about to fuck in that bathroom for real, so down, boy.”
“Mmm, but maybe we should. It’d be a better use of our time.”
“Easy there. Here he comes.” I plaster a smile on my face as Malcolm comes over, grinning big and looking drunk.
“Gavino! You showed up! And you brought the lovely Jeanie. I know you told my assistant you’d make an appearance but I didn’t believe it, and look at you now. God, it’s a miracle of miracles.” He leans closer, grinning. “I wish you would’ve come to the pre-party. Now that was more your scene.”
Gavino laughs and claps him on the shoulder. “I’ve been dodging your shitty little society parties for a long time and I figured I might as well show my face. Besides, free drinks.”
Malcolm grins in return, eyes bright with excitement. “Make yourself at home. I’d better mingle.” He disappears into the thickening crowd as more people filter in, the party suddenly revived.
“All right then,” Gavino says, coming close to me. His lips brush mine and he whispers in my ear. “Is Benedict staring?”
I don’t have to look over. I can feel the bastard’s eyes and I know what he’s thinking. “Ever since he came in.”
“That guy hates you.”
“He wants to finish what he started.”
Gavino grunts and his grip on my ass tightens. “I won’t let him.”
“I know you won’t,” I say softly, feeling heat rush into my neck and face, and he pulls back to kiss me. The kiss feels real, so incredibly real, and we hold it there for longer than we need to. His palms roam my body and soon he breaks away, but he doesn’t release me. I take his hand and he tugs me from the room, away from the main group. Benedict’s watching, but he doesn’t follow as we go into the hall.
And toward heaven or hell.