Page 45 of Villainous Kingpin

“It will come to me,” the guy insisted. “You don’t forget a pretty girl with your face.”

Bas growled and I recognized Priest’s voice. “That’s Basilio’s girl so rethink your next words.”

A smile pulled at my lips. It was dumb that being labeled as Basilio’s girl made me all giddy. I tried to hide it, keeping my gaze downcasted.

Instead I read the text from my mom.*Three weeks and you need to come home. Derek worked out his routine. Madame Sylvie confirmed yours is set too. She mentioned a boy distraction. What is she talking about?*

Another heavy sigh slipped through. It didn’t take her long to get an update.

I typed back the reply.*Not sure what she’s talking about.*

I groaned in my mind. I should tell her I wanted to stay longer. Instead, I didn’t comment on her request to come home. It was the plan all along, except now I had a compelling reason to stay.

Bas stood up from his spot and my eyes darted to him. His focus was on me as he walked over. His mood was dark and I watched him as he unbuttoned his suit jacket. He slipped his hands into his pockets, his gaze intense then dropped to his haunches before me.

He brought his hands to my thighs and I held his gaze as my heart thundered behind my chest. His spicy scent invaded my lungs, and I reached out to run my hand through his thick hair

“No running, principessa.” His voice was a raspy whisper nobody else could hear. “I gave you fair warning.”

He was all rough edges around other people, but he offered me glimpses of his vulnerability. I never wanted to be the cause of it.

“No running,” I vowed.

He stilled as if I surprised him with my promise, but then his fingers tightened on my thighs and warmth spread through me. God, I was falling fast and hard for this man. My breathing shallowed at his vicinity, his gaze warm on me. Like he was my gravity, I inched closer to him, inhaling deeply.

“What upset you?” he demanded to know.

“Ah, my mom sent a message,” I murmured.

My phone rang at that very moment and the screen flashed with the caller.Mom. I frowned, eyeing it with uncertainty. Avoidance was sometimes so much easier.

“You can answer it in the room over there,” Bas said, tilting to the room I hadn’t spotted before. “Priest’s men used that room. That way you can have some privacy.”

It wasn’t privacy I was worried about. It was getting reprimanded.

“Thank you,” I whispered, then pecked him on the cheek. I might as well bite the bullet and talk to her.

Jumping up, I strode towards the room while answering the phone. “Hi, Mom.”

“Wynter, who is this man Madame Sylvie mentioned?”

I blew a frustrated breath. No ‘hello’. No ‘how are you’. Nothing. Just straight to inquisition.

“Davina borrowed my Jeep,” I told her in an exasperated tone. “So I needed a ride.”

I entered the room, just as a man was leaving. “I’m going to the restroom,” he mouthed and I nodded. I suspected he just wanted to give me some privacy.

Mom’s voice came through the phone. “No distractions,” she warned.

“I’m not distracted,” I argued softly. “I finished the session and kept to my schedule.”

“That’s not what Madame Sylvie tells me,” she argued and I could hear disapproval in her voice. I could almost picture her knitted brows and critical gaze on me.

“Mom, give me some credit,” I protested. “It’s not my first rodeo and I know what it takes to win.”

“How can I when you’re keeping secrets?” she said, her voice full of disapproval. “Both you and Juliette.”

“We’re not,” I groaned. “We’ve been busy packing up the dorm room.” And dealing with the outcome of burning down Garrett’s house, as well as planning heists, but those words I’d keep to myself. “I just want-” I paused for a moment, then continued, “I need to be able to take a break, too.”