Shadow Warrior (Shadow Riders 4)

“Nice arrangement. I approve wholeheartedly.”

“Eloisa is always very specific about where she wants to sit,” Grace said, looking the epitome of innocence. “Under the circumstances, I knew she would want to help her daughter, so I exchanged her place with Emmanuelle’s.”

As if she heard, his sister looked up and blew Grace a kiss. Eloisa and Henry walked up behind Emmanuelle and Elie. Vittorio noted his mother and Henry were holding hands. She scowled as she peered at the names etched in the golden nameplates. Her scowl deepened as she looked across the table at Grace. Vittorio held his mother’s stare, daring her to make a public issue of the change. Henry said something and tugged at her hand. She went with him to the two open chairs at the end of the table.

Talk swirled around them. Giovanni and Sasha engaged with Emmanuelle and Elie while Taviano and Anne began a lively conversation with Eloisa and Henry.

“I feel as if the entire event is going to fall apart because I’m sitting here instead of watching everything from a distance,” Grace murmured somewhat rebelliously.

“Be patient. You hired three extra people to help Katie with just this moment. You have your cell right there. In another few minutes you’ll be able to go around and check every detail for the auction.”

She glanced at her watch and then nodded.

He took her hand, noting that it was shaking, and pressed it to his thigh, high up, close to his wayward cock that was already reacting to the close proximity of any part of her. He rubbed his thumb over the back of her hand.

“I love watching you work, Grace. I think what you do is worthwhile and you’re extremely good at it. Bottom line, you’re my woman and when we attend any event, one of yours or someone else’s, you’re going to be by my side or I’m at your side. Either way, we’re together. I don’t mind going with you to check all the details you need to attend to.”

He didn’t pretty up the demand. He had warned her what he was like. She had known before she ever agreed to really give them a chance. He would dictate in certain matters. This was a big one. He’d said her work belonged to her, and it did, but at any big event such as this one, he would be at her side.

“I’m well aware that this is something that really matters to you, Vittorio, or you wouldn’t be pushing so hard. I’m giving this concession to you because I want you happy.” She cupped the side of his face. “That’s important to me.”

Her thumb slid over his lips and he sucked it into his mouth, his tongue swirling around it. She blushed.

“Vittorio.” His mother said his name in a way that might mean a reprimand, or just a way to get his attention.

He took another moment to enjoy scraping his teeth over the pad of Grace’s thumb and watching the color rise in her face. He moved her hand higher up on his thigh, so her fingertips touched his throbbing cock just because he loved the color sweeping into her face.

“Yes, Eloisa? I missed what you were saying, but if it’s about the decorations, I agree completely, the entire thing is beautiful. More than beautiful. It feels like a fantasy land. I especially love the jade plants. The color is amazing and the way they drape down from the ceiling is pure genius.” He turned back to Grace. “Did you think of that, bella?”

“I love those flowers as well,” Emmanuelle said. “Eloisa, was that your choice? She always chooses the flowers, Vittorio. Her ideas are so good she should be a designer.” The compliment was genuine. Emmanuelle had no idea there had been any problems with the flowers.

“Eloisa always wanted to be a designer,” Henry said. “For as long as I can remember, she was brilliant at it. Of course, you were never allowed.”

“Henry.” Eloisa’s tone was different. Almost an admonishment, but not quite.

Servers were putting plates of food in front of guests. Eloisa waited until they were gone. “Originally, I had ordered a flower called parrot’s beak, but the plane lost an engine. Grace substituted the jade and the color is exquisite. I couldn’t have found a better second choice myself. She’s done enough events for us that she knows my tastes.”

Grace blushed again, but Vittorio wasn’t certain whether it was from his mother’s unexpected compliment or the way he had picked up her hand, nibbled at the fingers for a moment and then, once again, taken it under the table to place her palm over the burning thickness of his hefty erection. The moment Grace touched him, his cock jerked in response.

He picked up a fork. The food at the events KB planned was always first class, which was a plus. “Is there anything in the auction lots that you particularly liked, Grace?”