Silence, while they drilled each other with their searing gazes.
“Okay, so this isn’t weird or anything. I’m gonna wait in the car.” Carrera vanished inside the Range Rover.
Despite being on a busy sidewalk, her attention was laser-focused on Luciano.
Someone sidled over, but she couldn’t break eye contact. She was consumed, the energy swirling at a frenzying pace around them like an invisible tornado.
“Isthisyour client?” asked a familiar voice.
Simone dragged her attention from Luciano. Peter Hirzog stood there glaring up at Luciano. Within seconds, Carrera rejoined them.
The energy shifted, the pleasant October afternoon turning frigid cold. As expected, Luciano stood there, a pillar of strength and fortitude. He was brimming with confidence, yet he wore his brand of sophistication like armor. If these two men were enemies, Luciano was keeping those feelings close to the chest.
Peter regarded her. “Do you know him?” The bite in his tone surprised her.
Simone stayed silent. It was none of his damn business.
To her surprise, Luciano’s lips split into a sinister smile. “What do you want, Hirzog?”
“Stay away from him,” Peter warned her. “He’ll ruin your life.”
“It’syourfault your ex went looking elsewhere,” Luciano bit out.
Whoa.
Hirzog swung at Luciano, but he grabbed Hirzog’s wrist, twisted it behind his back, forcing Peter to spin around. Wincing in pain, Peter, said, “You’re a motherfucking cocksucker, Santini.”
Luciano’s driver, Stuart, appeared. “I need to get you off the street, Mr. Santini.”
Simone had had enough. She had no idea what kind of bad blood had passed between them and she didn’t care. “I need to leave.”
Luciano released Peter, then turned to her. “Do you need a ride?”
While his composure remained intact, the fire in his eyes burned brightly. And she was drawn to that flame like a magnet. The connection between them made her shiver with delight. Never before had a man made her feel so alive.
Peter tugged down his suit jacket, glared at both Santinis. “I told you two to watch your backs, and I meant it.” Then, his angry eyes jumped to her. “This man is poison.”
On a growl, Peter bolted down the sidewalk, taking his fury with him.
“That was intense,” she murmured.
“Ride?” Luciano asked.
“I’m gonna walk this one off,” she replied before eyeing Carrera. “Later.” Then, she shot Luciano a smile.
As she walked down the street, she turned to look back. He stood on the sidewalk oozing power and determination while people bustled past him.
For reasons she couldn’t explain or begin to understand, he had drawn her into his web and she liked it.
She liked it a lot.
LUCIANO
Luciano seethed asthey plodded through heavy DC traffic en route to Sin’s office in Georgetown. Seeing Hirzog did that to him.
Once on M Street, Stuart drove around the corner and parked in Sin’s private lot tucked behind his building. Inside, a man and two women waited at the elevators. One of the women checked him out, then offered a smile. He tossed her a nod, but said nothing.
His thoughts drifted to Simone. Smart, beautiful, and strong-willed was a combination he found captivating.