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“When it comes to you, I don’t think clearly. You know that.”
He trailed a possessive hand down her spine. When it rested on her ass, she stiffened in rejection, but she didn’t fight back. He was silently daring her to push him so he had reason to punish her further in front of everyone.
“They just remarried and are still working out some things,” Mo said blandly as he extended his hand toward Aleixo. “You fared better than me. You train?”
Aleixo accepted the handshake. “I have four brothers.”
“Enough said. I have nine.”
“Nine? Where are…”
Aleixo was interrupted by Johnny, who had both hands up. “Hang on. Who are you two?”
“They’re escorts,” she said without looking away from Roth, who was preternaturally still. She sensed Johnny and Aleixo’s confusion and sighed as she added, “Bodyguards.”
“Because…?” Johnny’s bewildered tone had her risking Roth’s wrath to look at him. Johnny was examining Roth through round, tortoise shell glasses before he gave her an arch look. “You left some things out, hmm?”
She hadn’t said a damn thing. It had been liberating to hang out with people who didn’t care about her family, Roth, or anything else connected to high society. Johnny and Aleixo hadn’t even asked her if she had a job. Roth ruined everything, as usual.
“Is everything all right?”
Johnny beckoned to his client, who was hurrying toward them. “Don’t worry. He isn’t crazy. He’s my friend’s jealous husband. This is Jasmine and—"
“James Roth,” the woman breathed. “You just relocated to New York, didn’t you?” When he grunted, the woman’s eyes hit Jasmine and went comically wide. “I saw your wedding announcement circulating online. Your dress was spectacular.”
When the woman offered her hand to Roth, he stared at it for a moment before he loosened his hold. Jasmine took the opportunity to put space between them. She made her way to Johnny as his client launched into a business pitch.
“Bebe, I thought you walked away from all of that.” Johnny flapped his hand at Roth and his client.
“He dragged me back in.”
“And you’re second-guessing your decision?” He didn’t wait for an answer, but clucked his tongue sympathetically. “No wonder you didn’t want to talk about it.”
She turned to him. “I’m sorry he swung at Aleixo. He—"
“Aleixo can handle himself. Did you see the way he moved?” Johnny shivered. “I love when he goes all alpha. Gets me all hot and bothered. I’m not surprised your husband was jealous of my Aleixo. Do you see that body?”
“But—"
They were interrupted by Johnny’s client, who gripped her arm.
“Congratulations on your marriage! I can’t believe I ran into you two!”
She concealed her irritation with a fake smile.
The woman turned to Johnny. “Can we get a few more shots in?”
“Of course.” Johnny rubbed Jasmine’s back. “I won’t be long.”
The woman wriggled her fingers at Roth before Johnny led her away. Aleixo, Johan, and Mo were talking in a huddle. These men couldn’t be from more different backgrounds and walks of life, yet they were talking like old friends… or maybe that was the effect Aleixo had on people. Her alternate reality was colliding with the world she was trying to escape. She didn’t like the crossover.
Her attention swung to Roth, who hadn’t moved. For the first time, she took in his outfit—jeans, a nondescript black hat, and jacket. If it wasn’t for his size, he would blend in anywhere. She crossed her arms over her chest before she made her way back to him. He looked relaxed, but she didn’t trust his body language… or his face. She could still feel his fingers digging into her throat. Apparently, he had a fondness for choking people. She stopped before him, just out of reach.
“What are you doing here?” she asked.
“You’re here.”
Her brows came together. “What does that have to do with anything?”
