Page 43 of Tainted Obsession 1

“Massimo.” A woman greets him warmly. “It’s so good to see you. And your lovely guest.”

My attention snaps from him to the raven-haired beauty who’s striding toward us, the crowd of men parting for her. She moves with the grace of a jungle cat, her walk a smooth, confident saunter. The guests either respect or fear this woman, judging by the way none of them look directly at her as she passes them. She has a regal bearing about her, and I imagine she’d look quite natural wearing a crown.

Caramel eyes framed in thick, dark lashes assess me, memorizing my face before dipping to the mark on my shoulder. Her rosebud mouth pinches in a small frown, and her eyes are cold when she turns them back on Massimo.

“Aren’t you going to introduce us?” she asks pointedly.

Massimo’s hand flexes against my back, but he offers her a smile that’s dazzling enough to knock the air from my chest.

“It’s wonderful to see you, too, Carmen. Thank you for inviting us.”

She doesn’t appear charmed. A single dark brow arches, expectant.

“This is Evelyn,” he introduces me.

It seems he doesn’t have a choice. Whoever Carmen is, she holds power here, and Massimo is her guest.

“Evelyn,” she repeats, my name heavy with condemnation.

She eyes the mark on my neck again, and I barely resist the urge to sweep my hair over my shoulder to cover it.

“It’s good to meet you,” she tells me, her voice a touch warmer. Moving with smooth grace, she loops her arm through mine as though we’re best friends. “Let me get you a drink. We have an excellent selection of mezcal.”

She tugs me away from Massimo, but he simply follows, as though his hand is attached to my back by a magnet.

“Not you, Massimo.” She waves him away, flicking her fingers in an imperious gesture. “Stefano is eager to talk to you. Evelyn and I can get to know one another while you two catch up.”

“I’m sure you’ll want to be present for that,” Massimo protests smoothly. “We can all have a drink together.”

Carmen lets out a melodic laugh that grates down my spine; there’s no real humor in that laugh, only warning that her patience is wearing thin.

“We’ll join you soon enough. Please entertain Stefano before he gets too bored. You don’t know how difficult he can be when he’s bored.” She makes a pained expression, dramatically put-upon. “It’s past time for the party to get started, and he’s been waiting for you.”

My stomach flips. I edge closer to him, and Carmen notes the small shift. The smile she offers me is kind, genuine.

“I just want to talk,” she assures me. “No one here will harm you.”

She says it as though it’s a guarantee, something within her power to promise.

Who is this woman? She obviously knows Massimo, and she’s mentioned Stefano Duarte twice. She has to be associated with the cartel, but she’s looking at me with soft concern.

My heart skips a beat. Carmen clearly holds sway here. If I get her on my side, she might let me leave. No one will have to get hurt, and I’ll be free to return to America, away from cartel violence.

“Okay,” I agree, stepping away from Massimo to join Carmen. His fingers linger on my back as I break contact, as though he doesn’t want to let me go. “Let’s talk.”

“Carmen—” Massimo begins, her name a low growl.

“Stefano is waiting.” She cuts him off breezily and steers me away from him, guiding me to a quieter corner where we can have a private conversation.

I glance back at Massimo and find him scowling at Carmen. Another man steps in front of him, creating a barrier between us with his body. Massimo is broader and taller, but he doesn’t toss the man out of his way to get to me. Instead, that dazzling smile slides back into place, and his focus shifts to address the slightly smaller man.

“Don’t worry about Massimo.” Carmen pats my hand in comfort before she extricates her arm from mine.

She settles herself in a plush red leather armchair, and despite her powerful aura and regal poise, her sharply beautiful features soften when she looks at me.

“You’re Evelyn Day,” she says.

It isn’t a question.