Don’t get me wrong, he’s still like a hawk on me. He has me on his lap at one of the round tables, holding me close to him, a firm hand on my hip. He’s laughing and joking, playing a tequila shot game with one of the guards named Simon.
I noticed Thiago came in about an hour ago. He was late, but dressed in a clean black suit. Draco saw him as well, and he’s been watching him ever since. He still doesn’t trust him, and I don’t blame him. There’s something sneaky about him.
The way he looks at me is an issue. He stares at me like he owns me—or like he could. I can’t lie and say the sight of him doesn’t make me uncomfortable. In fact, he makes my skin crawl. I see why Patanza doesn’t like him. He’s not easy on the eyes, and doesn’t seem like a nice person either.
However, Mrs. Molina is happy to have him here, and I don’t want to complain and ruin her night. I know if I say even a peep about it to Draco, he will handle it in his typical Jefe fashion. He would cause a scene in front of all the guests simply because he could. Just because there’s a party going on doesn’t mean he won’t prove who calls the shots around here.
Mrs. Molina opens her gifts one by one, and when she comes across mine, her eyes grow as wide as discs, her smile stretching. She looks up at me, and I tip my wine glass, a small smile on display.
“I can’t believe it,” she sighs. She holds up the knitting needles made of gold, carved delicately with vine and leafy designs. “They are so beautiful,” she coos.
“I knew she’d love it,” Draco murmurs. I’m glad she does. It wasn’t cheap. I was surprised they were even selling it at the market, but they had special gifts behind the counter, for the patrons looking for the more exquisite things. I’ll have to remember it the next time I go out—if I ever get the chance.
After Mrs. Molina opens all her gifts, thanking each person profusely for them, the cake is cut, the music picks up again, and people go back to the bar for more drinks. They really know how to party here. Shot after shot. Bottle after bottle.
I’ve only had three glasses of wine. I can’t do hard liquor tonight. I’m still bothered—feeling guilty about Ronaldo. I know I shouldn’t, but I can’t help it. I made him a promise and couldn’t fulfill it. Whatever’s happened to him feels like it’s at least partially my fault.
“Want me to get you another drink?” I ask Draco, twisting in his lap.
He looks toward the bar, noticing it’s pretty vacant. Most people are dancing or mingling. “Yeah, reina. Go. Get yourself another, too.”
I press my lips and nod, standing up. Before I can get away, he grabs my hand and folds it over, bringing my knuckles up to his lips. He kisses them, warm brown gaze heavy on mine. I feel the hot swirl at the pit of my belly and smile.
“Hurry back,” he says.
“I will.”
I take off as Simon picks up a card from the deck and then curses through his teeth, picking up a shot glass and downing the tequila. I’m not sure what game it is, but he has to take a shot every time he plucks certain ones. Draco is winning. He’s only had two shots so far, and they’ve been playing for over an hour.
I make my way toward the bar, feeling several eyes on me. I don’t look to find out who is staring. Of course they’ll stare. They don’t know who I am, or why Draco has me so close to him. It must be an unusual thing to witness.
I stop at the bar, asking the butler for a whiskey for Draco. I decide to get another glass of wine for myself, hoping it will cool my nerves. It’s the red wine Mrs. Molina wanted from the market, and it’s delicious, not too bitter or too sweet. Just the way I like it.
“I don’t think I officially introduced myself to you,” a deep voice says behind me.
I turn quickly, meeting wicked, dark eyes. Thiago puts on a crooked smile, a neat whiskey clutched in his hand.
My heart thuds in my chest, but I keep my face even, remaining calm.
“You speak English well,” I note, turning to him after the butler hands me the drinks.
“I know just as much as my cousin,” he assures me. “Learned young, just like he did.”
“I see.” I glance over at Draco. He’s watching already, but he hasn’t made a move. Yet. “We haven’t officially been introduced, but I sense Draco has made it that way for a reason,” I continue.