“Keep your damn voice down. He owns this club. Those bouncers out there are trained killers. Didn’t you notice the weapons they carried?”
“Then why did we come here?”
“Because he never comes to this place. Ever. He’s too busy destroying lives, killing people.”
“I’m nobody to him, anyway. I was just looking.”
“That doesn’t matter, Cassidy. If he decided he wanted you, then there would be nothing you could do about it. Trust me. He’s nothing but a monster.”
As she continued pulling my arm, I took several deep breaths, finally allowing myself to be dragged back to the table.
“Wow,” Sara huffed. “You know how to pick them.”
“I think he picked her,” Trinity said. “Maybe we should go.”
“That’s ridiculous. He didn’t even notice me,” I retorted, trying to keep from glancing over my shoulder.
“My guess he did and if so, that’s all it takes,” Sara added. “I don’t know what she told you, but he’s bad news.”
“So I heard.”
“That’s why I think we should leave. There are other clubs to go to.” Trinity was shivering. What in God’s name had the man done to have this kind of fearful reputation follow him into a club?
“That’s ridiculous. We’re here. We’re going to enjoy ourselves. My God, ladies. He’s just a man and I was just looking, nothing more.” I pulled away, purposely moving toward the dancefloor.
A few seconds later, I noticed a man approach, the same one I’d seen outside in the crowd, the one who’d been staring at me intently. Shit. He was after me. What the hell was I supposed to do at this point? He hadn’t done anything wrong, but my instinct screamed this wasn’t about pleasure. I glanced in his direction, taking a hard look. He was sexy enough, although the scar on the side of his face indicated he’d lived a rough life. My hackles remained raised, my mind processing why I’d been attacked. Who would follow me to New York?
I had to get a grip or I’d ruin the evening.
I’d be damned if the man didn’t approach, moving so close I was forced to accept a strong whiff of his cologne. I ignored him, turning the other way. The man was trying too hard, shifting in front of me, refusing to allow me to avoid him.
“We’re dancing,” he stated, as if I would follow his order without question.
“I’m not in the mood.” Forced to yell above the music, as soon as I issued the words, his expression hardened.
“You don’t understand. You have no choice.”
The fucker dared to grip my arm, giving me a hard yank. “Get off me.” I jerked my arm away, immediately backing toward my friends. While he didn’t follow, he glared at me as if my denial wouldn’t be accepted.
“What the hell?” Sara asked, glaring at him. Both Trinity and Sara moved in front of me.
“He doesn’t bother me.” I shifted between them, offering my own look of disdain.
My words seemed to be lost on deaf ears, Sara’s eyes opening wide. “Uh-oh,” she whispered, but I could hear the two labored words.
“What’s wrong?” Now I was getting annoyed.
“I don’t think Mr. Vincheti was happy with you being accosted. He’s coming this way. Maybe we should find a back door.”
“I’m not going anywhere.” Swallowing, I kept my hand on my drink, taking a sip then another as the two girls backed around the table. I was shocked by their reaction, the look of horror in their eyes.
The man from before had his eyes pinned on me, his stare sending a shiver down my spine. Within seconds, Valentin approached the mystery man, his body language indicating he was pissed off as hell.
“Whoa,” Trinity huffed.
It was obvious Valentin was furious I’d been approached, acting as if I belonged to him. While there was no fight, I could tell they were in a heated argument. After a few seconds, I turned around, taking several deep breaths. A strange series of sensations rushed into me, butterflies in my stomach. Valentin was so possessive, even though we hadn’t exchanged phone numbers or whispered words of spending additional time together.
“Wow,” Sara said, exhaling then gripping my arm. “That asshole is being led out of the place. Let’s get out of here.”