Page 16 of Deceptive Desires (The Syndicate #2)

Cecilia

We’re sitting on the T, but I have that same feeling of eyes on me as yesterday. I glance over my shoulder, but there’s no one in this car watching me. I shake my head and turn to face Gracie.

“What’re you looking at?” she asks, glancing over my shoulder.

“Nothing. Just nervous.” Mentioning to Gracie that I feel like I’m being watched is a first-class ticket back to our apartment.

“Hmmm… okay. Don’t be nervous. Roman’s going to swallow his tongue when he sees you.”

I laugh at the absurdity despite willing it to be true.

When we finally get to our exit, we get off the car and head to the bar. It’s only two blocks from here.

A figure waves at us, and we make our way over.

“Hey, Leo!” I give him a side hug, but he turns at the last minute, making it a full-frontal hug. Knowing it was an accident, I silently pull myself from it but don’t make a comment.

“My girl. How are you, Cecilia?” I wince at the use of ‘my girl,’ and realize I should’ve warned Leo that Roman was coming. And maybe even have warned Roman about Leo.

“I’m great! Happy birthday!” I squeal, excited to celebrate my friend.

“Thanks, Cecilia.” He wraps his arm around my shoulder and pulls me in again, but I brush it off. “Hello, Gracie. I’m glad you could join us.” He sounds anything but glad to see her.

Gracie just glares at him.

“If Cecilia’s here, then I’m here.” It comes out as a warning.

This might not have been the best idea.

“Where’s everyone else?” I ask, looking around for his friends.

“They’re inside. I was waiting for you guys.”

He places his hand on the small of my back and leads us to the bouncer. Leo very obviously sneaks him a hundred-dollar bill, which the bouncer stares at unimpressed. I hear Gracie snort at it.

“Hey, big guy. Can you let us in?” She bats her eyelashes at him, and he eyes her up and down. His stoney expression warps into a wicked grin. He’s about to flirt with her when his gaze lands on me. His eyes widen and he takes a step back.

“IDs,” he grunts out.

Gracie looks impressed that her tactic of asking semi-nicely worked. Leo just grumbles.

I hand him my ID first. He looks at it for a full minute before handing it back, then barely glances at Gracie and Leo’s. I guess if one of us is of age, he assumes all of us are.

As we walk through the door, Leo’s expression becomes almost… sinister.

“Cecilia, baby, tonight’s the night! I finally get everything I want,” he whispers in my ear.

“I’m glad, birthday boy. I’m sure it’ll be a great night.” I force a smile on my face. I’ve never felt uncomfortable around Leo before, but for some reason, right now, I don’t want to be near him.

We stop at a table full of guys who must be Leo’s friends. He slaps some on the back and makes introductions. I don’t recognize these men. They feel dangerous.

Leo leads Gracie and me to another table nearby since theirs is full. He opens his mouth to say something, but his attention drifts behind me. He straightens and his expression darkens.

“Can I help you?” Leo grits out as a smooth voice whispers in my ear, “Hey, sunshine. I’ve missed you.”

I can’t help the grin that breaks out. I turn to face Roman who wears a matching grin.

“Hey, héroe. Thanks for coming.” I blush as he looks me over.

“You look beautiful,” he says with a wistful sigh.

He opens his arms in an offer but doesn’t force a hug. I giddily step into his embrace and wrap my arms around his neck. He squeezes me tightly against him and I feel safe. I hear an inhale and… Did he just sniff me?

“Who are you?” Leo’s tenor voice snaps, breaking us apart.

I step out of the embrace, and Roman flashes him a smile. I take in Roman’s outfit. Tonight, he’s in black slacks, a black button-up, and dress shoes. The business look works really well for him.

“I’m Roman. Celia invited me. You are?” He holds out his hand in an offer to shake and after a few seconds of hesitation, Leo takes it. Leo flinches at what must be a tight grip from Roman. My hero just doesn’t know his strength.

“Leo. This is my birthday night out. And her name is Cecilia,” Leo mutters through a tight smile.

“Well then, happy birthday, Leo. Is it your twenty-first?” Roman asks, genuinely interested. It warms my heart to see him make an effort with my friends.

Leo, however, scoffs offendedly, not realizing Roman wasn’t insulting him. “I’m twenty-four today, man.”

“I remember twenty-four even though it was a decade ago. It’s a fun one,” Roman compliments.

I make a mental note. He’s thirty-four. Only a decade older than me. That’s not too old, right?

“What are you doing hanging with us then, old man?” Leo seethes.

“Celia invited me out. I couldn’t turn down a chance to see my sunshine.” Roman puts an arm around me, and I instinctively lean into him.

Roman nods at Gracie, “Hey, Gracie. How’ve you been?”

I’m surprised to see her grinning. She fist-bumps Roman and tells him, “It’s nice to have some good company around.” I almost think I imagine the way she quickly glances at Leo, and how Roman tenses at the implication.

“Let’s get drinks,” Leo suggests, already pushing away from the table, and storming towards the bar.

Gracie, Roman, and I approach the bar at the other end and almost immediately there’s a bartender in front of us taking our order.

Our unusual order of three waters.

“Are you sure you don’t want something to drink?” I ask Roman. “It’s on me tonight.”

“It’s never on you, sunshine. I’ll always spoil you.

” Roman shakes his head. “And I’m sticking with water tonight.

I want to keep my wits about me and remember every detail.

It’s our first time together fully coherent.

” He flashes me a smile, clearly referring to my concussed state at our previous two encounters.

“Here you go, boss.” The bartender says as he passes Roman the three, closed bottled waters. Roman’s eyes tighten for a second before he thanks him and grabs the waters.

With a hand on the small of my back, he guides me back to our table.

Leo’s already there, a line of shots in front of him.

“I got one for each of us. Everyone take one.” His grin diminishes at the sight of our waters. “Are you guys not drinking?”

“Sorry, man. I drove, so just water for me.” Roman explains, keeping his other reason between us.

“I don’t drink in places like these,” Gracie says harshly, glaring at Leo. He knows this. Every time we’ve gone out with Leo, Gracie has refused to drink alcohol. I know she doesn’t feel comfortable around him, so I understand.

“Guess it’s just you and me, Cecilia,” Leo says, offering me a shot of clear liquid.

“No, thank you. I’m sticking to water too.” I don’t give him a reason. Gracie’s teaching me that I don’t owe anyone an explanation.

“Come on, baby,” he whines, circling the table and hovering too closely. He yanks me to him and brings a shot to my mouth.

I turn my head, and understanding my discomfort, Roman gently pulls me into him and steps between us.

“She said no,” Roman growls at him, eyes dark. Roman turns to me, and his expression morphs into one of adoration. “Why don’t we hit the dance floor, sunshine?”

He offers me his hand, and I eagerly accept.

Maybe tonight will be great after all.