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No, this was the moment his brain exploded.

“Wha––”

“Ah, you’ve already ordered.” Dias leaned forward, pushing his chest against my shoulder while he looked over the options. “You know, the lamb is probably the best option. We can have the waiter put the order in.”

He lifted his hand, but Brazzi finally pulled himself together. “You should leave.”

“Nah.” Dias took one of the wine glasses and brought it to his nose. He grimaced, but took a sip anyway.

“You weren’t invited. You know the rules.”

Dias laughed. “Oh, amigo. Don’t be rude in front of the lady.”

Brazzi sat up and looked around before waving over a waiter. “Go get security.”

Dias took another big gulp of the wine, cringing as he swallowed. “No need. I cannot stomach this place.”

He stood and held out his hand to me. I automatically put my palm in his, but instead of pulling me away to leave with him, he placed a kiss on my knuckles then winked and turned around.

I stared at him, confused, while Brazzi fumed.

He was walking away? Just like that? He hadn’t even asked for my number.

“That bastard,” Brazzi muttered before going off in Italian.

I glanced at Derek, and he tilted his head toward the entrance.

“Leave?” I mouthed, and he nodded.

I wasn’t going to argue with that. The goal had been for Dias to overhear about this date, and he had. Mission complete.

“You know.” I turned to Brazzi. “I’m uncomfortable, and there’s obviously some issue between the two of you. This is the second time I’ve been dragged into it, and I’m not okay with that. You two should work out whatever is wrong and stop using me as a toy to get back at each other.”

I stood and smoothed down my dress.

He had the decency to look properly chastised, and I grabbed my purse from the table and fled before he could argue.

As soon as we stepped out into the fresh air, I sucked in a full breath. Hopefully, that was the end with him.

CHAPTER 13

Emilia

“Don’t heiresses take days off?” I whined, with my head resting on my arm next to my half-empty coffee mug.

“Yes, I’m sure they do.”

Javier wouldn’t cave, but I just wanted a day in bed. Or in the gym. Or killing someone.

What I was craving was normal. My normal. My routine.

I missed my coach and busting the guys’ balls on the mats and lifting weights. I missed the high of luring a mark to their death and slipping away.

What I did not miss at all was my family. I thought maybe I would, just a little, but I hadn’t even thought about them until this morning when I realized it had been a week. I hadn’t heard from any of them.

My parents hadn’t even checked in.

That was my sign of where I stood with them. So much for absence making the heart grow fonder or whatever that bullshit was.