Page 139 of Sins of the Orchid

I tensed. My grandmother never wanted to be around the Russos nor Bennettis. It was common knowledge. DeAngelo and I shared a look, then my eyes darted to Santi. The latter’s gaze narrowed on me, hot and dark. And my heart just about fluttered from my chest and straight into his darkness.

Ah shit!

Couldn’t I have gotten at least a week of reprieve from seeing Santi upon my return to New York?

DeAngelo went in first after my grandmother and I followed him. Santi didn’t move and my heart thundered harder with each step as I came closer to him. I tilted my head his way in greeting and walked by him, my sleeve brushing against his. His masculine scent, just as I remembered it, filled my lungs, and the familiar heat from his body drifted to me. It was worse than I remembered. Or better?No, no, it is bad.It shouldn’t impact me more than it did before.

Yet, it did. And all the while he didn’t seem bothered by my presence at all.

Fucker!

I took a seat next to DeAngelo and crossed my legs, then raised my head just in time to catch Santi’s eyes darkening in a way that made my lower belly clench. His eyes were on my thighs. A fleeting feral and hungry expression crossed his face, but it was gone so fast, I wasn’t sure if it was a figment of my imagination.

Maybe I wanted him so much that I imagined his desire too.

My hand smoothed across the material of my Gucci dress to ensure nothing inappropriate was showing. The dress was to highlight the latest teaming event for the upcoming show. It was black with a white accented wrap around my waist and a slit that came up to the middle of my thigh.

“What’s going on, Grandma?” I asked, turning my attention to her. She was safer than this towering man that was too distracting. He didn’t sit down, and I sensed it was on purpose. He liked to show his dominance.

“We are putting extra security on each floor,” Grandma started, sharing a glance with Santi.

Ah, and here we go! My gut feeling was telling me something bad was happening in New York. I’d noticed the security around the house was tighter than before.

“Why is that?” I asked.

“There are some big events coming up,” she justified. “It is normal to tighten up the security. And with the latest deal you secured with Gucci and Chanel we need to ensure there are no hiccups.”

Annoyance flared in me. She wasn’t being honest with me. No surprise there, I guess.

“Seriously?” I scoffed. “We’ve had large names before and never tightened security. Why now?”

My eyes shifted back to Santi, but it was hard to tell what he was thinking. He kept his gaze guarded. I resented him so much right now.

“Amore, your father and I agreed—”

I sat up straight. “Well, that’s a first.”

My grandmother let out an exasperated breath. “Now is not the time to test your limits, Amore.”

“I’m not testing my limits.” I narrowed my eyes on her. “I’m asking you to tell me the truth, instead of some bullshit story.”

Her hands tightened on the desk, but she kept still. “You have been gone for a while. Certain things have changed. Security is a necessity. You won’t leave the building until the driver is out front, and there will be someone with you at all times.”

Yes, something is happening for sure!

“DeAngelo is with me at all times,” I reminded her.

“There will be someone else,” Santi chimed in, his voice behind me. I whipped my head around. I didn’t realize he’d come up behind me, his movements like those of a jaguar.

I sat, the tension between us suffocating me. He was the reason I didn’t come back. The first time because of that kiss in The Orchid, which he called a mistake, and the second time because he dumped me after promising me forever.

“No,” I told him. “I have my own security. If I need another body, DeAngelo and I will pick someone.”

“Since when do you have your own security?” My grandmother almost sounded shocked. “I haven’t seen those invoices.”

I stood up, smoothing my dress with the palm of my hand. DeAngelo stood up right along with me. “I felt it wasn’t fair that Regalè Enterprise foot the bill since I hired them. I pay them directly.”

“Amore, I understand your need for independence. First this other company, now this.” she warned.