Page 42 of Loyalty

A beer once in a blue moon, but even that wasn’t usual.

She didn’t even blink.

She didn’t ask a thing.

Instead, Siena said, “I know a place down the block, if you want to go?”

John’s hand on her lower back led them both out. He left his anxiety about the rest at the door.

• • •

“Here,” John said.

His fingers circled around Siena’s small wrist to stop her from walking further. The cool September air had mixed in with the nighttime breeze, and made him think the thin sleeves of her tight dress were not enough to keep her warm.

“What—”

He already slipped his suit jacket off, and tossed it around her shoulders before she could protest, or say anything. He fixed the collar a bit, and the tips of his fingers grazed her collarbones peeking out.

John didn’t miss the shiver that raced through Siena at the touch. He didn’t think it was the cool breeze that time.

Her blue gaze stayed locked on him, even after he let her go. She didn’t move to start walking down the sidewalk again, either.

“You didn’t have to do that,” she whispered.

John chuckled. “Sure I did, bella.” He glanced down at the heels on her feet. “Let me know if your feet get tired because I don’t mind helping you out there, either.”

“And just how would you do that?”

“Carry you.”

Siena stilled on the spot, and peeked up at him through long, dark lashes. “You’re kidding, aren’t you?”

“No.”

Not in the least.

“Oh,” she said softly.

“I don’t mind.”

She sighed. “You know, your cousin is kind of scary.”

“Who, Andino?” John let out a laugh. “He’s a fucking teddy bear.”

“If by teddy bear, you mean a teddy bear built like a linebacker with the attitude of somebody ready to take you out, then sure.”

John barely held back his smirk. “Really, he’s harmless.”

“Not if he thinks someone is trying to mess with you.”

John sobered instantly. “Yeah, he doesn’t play there. What did he say to you?”

Siena shrugged under his jacket. “Basically demanded to know what I wanted with you.”

“Because …?”

“I asked about you?”