I stare down into her eyes—even in her heels, she’s still shorter than me—and when I’m satisfied that she’s telling me the truth, I nod and rest my forehead against hers.
“Thank you.”
“So, you guys have a whole plan?”
“An intricate one,” I confirm.
“Do I get to know what it is?”
“No. You don’t need to. You’ll stay with me, my new wife on my arm for a charity fundraiser gala. And I’ll take care of the rest.”
“I’m fine with that, and I already promised that I’d behave, but you know I’m not good at being thelittle womanwho has to be coddled and taken care of.”
“You’re not anything that needs to be coddled. But Iwillprotect you. That’s all I’m doing. Now, are you ready to go?”
She nods and reaches for the bag that matches the shoes.
“I put a tracking device in your bag,” I inform her, and her eyes whip up to mine.
“What? Why?”
“Because I can’t be too careful.”
“You mean paranoid.”
“Sure. If that’s now you want to phrase it. Just be grateful that I didn’t insist on a subdermal tracker.”
Her jaw drops and then closes again. “That’s a little unhinged, Mateo.”
“We’ve already established that I’m unhinged when it comes to you, Savage. Come on, we have a party to get to.”
Thirty-Nine
VIOLET
The orgasm helped my nerves for a little while, but then the anxiety took over again. I clung to Mateo’s hand in the car after we climbed in. Each of us couples took separate SUVs, and Mateo said that they’ve always traveled that way. In case they’re ever attacked, they likely wouldn’t all go out at once.
His words, not mine.
I don’t like that thought.
I’ve never been to the Four Leaf resort before. I’ve passed by it a million times, and I’ve heard that it’s beautiful, I’ve just never had a reason to go there.
And as it turns out, the Irish mob owns it, and Mateo and his brothers give them permission to do business in Vegas because they’re allies.
I know more about organized crime business than I ever thought I would. It’s fascinating and a little unsettling. But the girls assure me that I’ll get used to it.
Diego pulls into the Four Leaf’s entrance, and Mateo turns to me.
“Stay with me.”
“Like glue.”
He stares into my eyes, and I can see the apprehension. He doesn’t want me in there with all those dangerous people. And while arguing and banter is our love language, I won’t give him a hard time about this. I need him to feel confident tonight.
“Hey.” I brush my hand over his cheek. “I love you. I’m right here, with you. I’ll stay calm, and I won’t do anything you don’t want me to do.”
He exhales sharply. “Christ, I don’t like this. I love you too. Let’s get your sister and go home.”