“I don’t know anything.”
“Don’t. Lie. To. Me.”
She closes her eyes and draws in a shaky breath. “I’m not lying to you. But even if I did know something, I wouldn’t tell.” Her eyes open. “I’m more afraid of Nikita than I am of you.”
I clench my jaw. “That’s a mistake.”
She laughs. “Okay.”
I blink in amazement and shake my head. “You’re a stupid girl, Alex.”
I let her go and take a step back. “Whatever it is, I’ll find out. You walk away and my deal expires.”
“What deal?”
“Not hurting you.”
Alex pushes off the wall and comes to stand inches from me. There’s a tightness in her blue eyes that makes her appear bitter, but when they dip to my lips, they soften.
“I already know you won’t hurt me. Maybe it’syouwho shouldn’t lie.” She takes a deep breath and meets my eyes. “Nikita knew you won me in that poker game, and he asked me if you told me anything.”
“How would he know that?”
“My father told him.”
I close my eyes and sigh. That sounds plausible. Relief floods into my veins and relaxes my muscles. It isn’t relief that nothing’s going on, I’m still not sure about that. But maybe Alex isn’t a part of anything after all.
“Is that it?” I ask, my eyes still closed.
“Yes. That’s it. But you should know that’s the first time Nikita has ever wanted to speak with me, so it must’ve been important to him.”
I open my eyes. It isn’t at all surprising. I’d want to know about his business and vulnerabilities just as much as he’s interested in knowing about mine.
“Be careful, okay?” She gives me a small smile, and my eyes instantly dart to her lips. I believe that smile. I’ve seen it before. It’s real. Genuine. It’s beautiful.
Alex turns to walk away, but I cup her face and duck my head, pressing my lips to hers.
There’s no hesitation on her part. Her lips soften and part, and her hands weave around my neck, dragging me closer.
I can smell her. Lilacs. I breathe deeply and savor it, committing it to memory for later.
She’s the first to pull away, and she must sense something because she whips her head to her left. Her eyes widen, and she covers her mouth. I turn to see Paolo standing at the ballroom entrance, his jaw tight and hands in his pockets.
Alex flashes me a look before bolting in that direction. Paolo’s glare is on her all the way until she reaches him, and then he moves his eyes to me.
“Go.” Paolo says to Alex, not looking at her.
Alex flicks her gaze to me then scurries back into the ballroom.
Paolo and I meet each other halfway.
“Is there something you want with her?” Paolo asks. “Some fascination you have?”
I grip his collar and yank him toward me. He startles a moment, then flexes and raises his chin.
“If you put your hands on her one more time, you’re going to have far worse problems than losing your seat at a poker table.”
I let go of him and roll my neck. Paolo stands, hands clenched at his sides, but he doesn’t say anything.