Page 74 of Dancing with the Devil

“Perfect,” I cheered, clapping my hands with a smile. “Cesar, my sweet Cesar,” I rushed up to him. “You’ve been to a strip club, right?” His body tensed and he looked over at Antonio. “Why are you looking at him?” I crossed my arms over my chest. I paused looking between them as I awaited Cesar’s answer.

“Yes, I have been to a strip club, Miss Nirah.”

“Great. Because well, even though I’m a great dancer, I still need feedback sometimes. What do you say, big guy? Me, testing my routines on you. I promise I’m good.”

His lips formed into a genuine smile—as though he was shocked yet appreciative that I trusted his judgment—but it immediately dropped when Antonio spoke.

“I hired Cesar as a bodyguard. Not as someone to keep you company.”

I groaned in annoyance. “Of course,” I nodded at Antonio. “Maybe on your off days then?” I asked Cesar.

“I do not get days off, Miss Nirah.”

“What!” I asked in disbelief.

“You’re joking, right?”

“No ma’am,” Cesar shook his head.

“Antonio Ivan-Yuri De Luca.” I rested my hands on my hips while shaking my head at him in disappointment.

“How do you know my middle name?” he cocked a brow at me and I mentally face palmed myself.

“That’s not important—”

“I want you in my office,” he pointed a finger at Cesar, clearly not pleased with him.

“No. You don’t. Now, let’s please get back to you being a complete asshole, and not giving him any days off. What the hell? Everyone deserves some time off—no one can work 24/7 because unlike some,” I looked him up and down. “Wehumansneed a break, even if it’s just one day.”

Antonio got up and I stepped closer to him. “They need a break, Antonio,” I stopped in front of him.

“No one has ever complained about it, so I don’t see the problem here.”

“Well, of course, they won’t, I mean look at you. You’re 6’3 and muscle. Who in their right mind is going to stand up to you?”

“Like you’re doing right now?”

Good point. “We’re not talking about me, okay?”

“Cesar is 6’5 and muscle. So what’s his excuse?” he asked, crossing his arms over his chest and I pressed my lips into a thin line.

“Maybe the fact that you’re extremely intimidating. You’re like a ticking time bomb, one wrong move and you’re shooting up the place.”

“So you admit that you’re intimidated by me?” he grinned and I rolled my eyes.Of course, that’s what he got from this conversation.

“Men in fancy suits don’t scare me because they usually do my bidding,” I whispered up at him. “So no, I’m not. But they are, so I guess that’s why I’m here now,” I said, catching my breath. “Plus, look at him,” I jutted out my bottom lip, lookingover at Cesar and he stared back with a timid smile. “How can younotwant to give that little face a break.”

“My men and I are perfectly fine with the order of things.”

“Cesar,” I walked over to him, arms crossed. “Tell him you’re not fine with how things are right now,” I demanded.

“Miss—”

“Tell him,” I seethed through my teeth. I watched him swallow hard before he lowered his head.

“A break wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world boss,” he murmured at my side. Antonio was evidently tormented by confusion and annoyance.

“Told ya…” I victoriously smiled.