Page 13 of The Mafia’s Girlfriend

When she and her friend entered, a silent stare-down commenced. She didn’t seem like the kind to let a man have the last word. I left without saying a single damn thing to her, hoping I’d never run into her again.

How ironic that she had to choose to come to this club tonight, among all the nightlife options in Miami.

She didn’t seem as excited to dance like her friend. Nor did she care to drink much, only one cocktail, not that I was paying attention or anything. I wasn’t paid to stand here and stalk her. I had to help the other guys keep this place on the safer side of crazy.

“All of them are.” Randy shook his head, paying attention to a little bit of a crowd near the bar. “Loaded. Spoiled. Bitchy brats.”

His summary of the VIP guests was spot on. “You forgot entitled.”

“Uh huh.” He nodded. “Talking down to us like we’re morons, on the wrong side of the tracks. She didn’t threaten to get you fired too, did she?”

I shrugged. She had, but it didn’t bother me. “She’s not going to do a damn thing.”

I stood there considering how we’d listed the ways a woman like that alluring brunette wouldn’t ever click with someone like me. She was too rich for my tastes, too full of herself and haughty. Which made it all the more frustrating that I felt so stuck finding her. Intrigue could make a smart man an idiot, but I simply didn’t have the damn time to be curious about the prickly woman.

Over the last half hour of my shift, though, it was damn near impossible not to know where she was. She’d made an impression on me, not just because she was hot, but because of her stubbornness to butt heads with me. Her quickness to single me out as a worthy adversary of some kind.

I watched her not finish her drink. I also was a witness to her sort of dancing with a few men. Her tall friend was one of those natural partiers, an extrovert who was always down for a good time. The VIP guest who threatened me didn’t seem interested when a guy in a Laker’s hat got too close, but all in all, nothing bad was happening. Nothing suspicious that could warrant me interfering.

“You ready for tonight?” Randy asked, coming back toward the door when I was counting down the minutes to leave.

I nodded, raking my gaze over the blue-green-eyed brat. “Ethan should be here to relieve me soon.”

“I think I saw him heading this way from the back—there.” Randy tipped his chin at the burly man who’d requested someone to fill in for him for the first half of the shift.

“Good.” I patted Randy on the back as we did a side hug. “And of course, I’m ready for tonight.”

“Cocky bastard,” he teased.

“Nah. Just confident. I beat this guy a few times already.” I shrugged as I moved to leave.

“Then why are you matched with him again?”

“I’ve got no fucking clue. Because Jimmy doesn’t think I’m ready to advance.”

Randy shook his head. “I’ll catch up with you tomorrow. Good luck.”

Luck never had anything to do with it. Only raw grit and determination to survive.

Ethan passed me, taking my spot and telling me thanks as I moved through the club to reach the back door. The staff exit was that way, and I had to clock out to ensure this half-shift counted on my pay. Before I could clear a route out of the thickest area of the dance floor, I did it again.

Or maybe this time, it was her fault. It hardly mattered if she glanced at me first or if I’d fallen prey to mark where she was. Our eyes met, and I hated how easily she trapped me in wanting to stare for longer. Those eyes. Such a light, electric blue. I’d never seen anything like them before. The novelty of her eye color wasn’t what had me hooked though. Her attitude was what really got me.

She smirked, lifting one corner of her lips in a sultry yet sassy expression.

Unfortunately, she wasn’t the only one to notice that I had my sights set on her. The guy in the Laker’s cap was still near her, and he stepped in front of her, blocking her from my view.

I wasn’t close enough to brush against her shoulder, but now that this prick shoved between us, it seemed like we were confined in too small of a space.

“What the hell are you looking at?” he demanded, puffing up his chest to look mightier.

I gave him a dead look, wondering if he really wanted to use that tone with me.

“Fuck off, man.” He shoved at my chest, not moving me. As he tried to get in my face, moving fast as he shifted his weight, I glanced at the woman behind him.

“I see you watching her,” he taunted. “Well, guess what, homeboy? She’s here with me.”

She stepped forward, scowling. “Hey, I’m not here with anybody.”