“You’re beautiful. Naturally beautiful when you’re naked and I’ve just cum inside you, but that in this dress––you’re stunning.”
Tomás’ praise was my undoing. The flint to my inner flame. The force of sexual immorality that makes a good girl like me want to be bad.
The instant Shane requested a word in private and Tomás’ powerful hand left my lower back, all my strength drained to my caged toes. I swayed a little, having never worn spiky heels before, never mind enduring such marked attention from strangers.
“I’ll get us a drink?” Matheus beckons to a pretty server with a bundle of auburn hair on top of her head. “Could you grab me a bottle of champagne?” He smiles and the poor girl almost buckles, her face awash with a shade more vibrant than beetroot.
“Of course.” She does an awkward curtsy thing and scurries off on a mission to please.
Matheus runs long fingers through floppy jet black hair, leisurely unsettling the strands hooking his brow. It’s then when I realize he’s not wearing the same red ring I’ve seen on the rest of the brothers.
He stares at me with inquisitive eyes. As the corner of his mouth lifts, his cheek dents. “I never thought I’d see the day.”
I blink up at him, unsure if he’s talking about burying his father or his big brother becoming the boss.
“I knew it would take a special woman to finally get his attention. But what I want to know is how the fuck did you get inside his head to interrupt the glitch? It’s mind-blowing.”
Smartly dressed men and their glamorous women glare at me from all corners of the room. It makes my stomach knot and my skin scorch.
“I’m only his personal secretary,” I point out with a pinch of sarcasm, instantly sensing his mood faltering with the lie. He knows Tomás only brought me here to indulge himself during his downtime.
“Bullshit.” His golden watch glistens under the light when he folds his arms. “That’s his narrative for you, so these people don’t catch wind of your importance. The brother I know doesn’t need a PA. He doesn’t evenneeda woman by his side. Mama is the only woman he listens to. Yet, here you are. Abso-fucking-lutely gorgeous and right in the middle of our private affairs.” As he speaks, he gradually lowers his voice. “The guy I was raised beside never looked at a woman like he looked at you at the top of those stairs. All I want for him is happiness…” His words trail off when the eager server bustles up beside him with an unopened black bottle and two wafer thin glasses on a tray. “I hope you can forgive him,” he adds, accepting the bottle to uncork it himself.
“Forgive him?” I echo behind the robust pop.
“Matheus!” A man dressed in military attire joins us. “How’s college?”
The older guy, twenty-odd years older, shakes Matheus’ hand firmly. “General Herrera, how are your kids?”
I’m itching to find out what he meant. My heartbeat stutters under the choking blanket of suspicious murmurs. Matheus pours me a glass of bubbly. “Here you go, Carina.”
The man who’d interrupted us offers me a sly smile; a smile so stitched with evil it makes the hairs on my arms lift.
“Thank you.” I take the glass and keep my lashes lowered.
“Carina, it’s a pleasure to meet you.” The man juts out his hand, pretending courtesy comes naturally to him. I’m not convinced when he licks his lips, his eyes wandering lower than my face.
“You're with Tomás, is that right?” he continues. “You’re his…”
My hackles rise, aware he’s alluding to something more personal. When our palms connect, a shudder jars my bones like death has a shadow and this asshole owns it.
“I’m his personal assistant,” I snip, glancing up at Matheus instead of meeting this man’s stare.
“Oh really.” He clears his throat to command my attention. “What sort of assistance do you offer him?”
Even though his suspicions are justifiable, I’m not a glorified whore whose sex life is open for comment.
While I tame my festering temper, Matheus answers on my behalf, “She deals with our legitimate businesses. Mostly pharmaceuticals and acquisitions. Tomás would be lost without her phenomenal acumen.” He tips his glass at me and swiftly changes the subject. “Tell me, General, did you bring your wife with you on this trip, or did your mistress come along instead?”
The General nods respectfully, aware he’s prying too far into Souza business. “Zara is here. My wife has a busy schedule.” There’s no shame or regret in his tone, like his indiscretions are perfectly acceptable.
The pompous aura he wears makes my veins thicken with anger. He’s a smug gangster with an undercurrent of malevolence woven through the seams of his military status.
I’d rather not be in his company, so I take the opportunity to excuse myself. “While you two catch up, I’ll nip to the ladies. It was nice to meet you.” I offer a saccharine smile, surreptitiously playing the role of a professional businesswoman.
I need space from all the whispers and examining stares, none of which have eased since Tomás left the room. Matheus holds out his arm, expecting me to latch on. “I’ll escort you.”
General Herrera laughs darkly seconds before I obey. “The lady doesn't need assistance to use the bathroom. Unless she’s a prisoner?” He jokes with a slight ceremonial bow, like he’s mocking me, or he knows something.