“I appreciate that, Alan, but my not going tonight isn’t about the money. School is extremely important to me. When my classes are over tomorrow, I’ll come straight to the club. You know I’ve never once let you down. I need these classes and I can’t reschedule them.”
Billows scowled at her, openly showing his displeasure. Maestro paid attention to Azelie’s reaction. Had Andrii been the one upset with her, there was no doubt in his mind that she would be uncomfortable and would try to find a compromise. Instead, she appeared serene but implacable.
“How late will you be tomorrow?”
“My last class gets out at four. So basically, all day. I don’t even have time for lunch. On my break between classes, I’ll study for the tests I’ll be taking. So, after four, I’ll grab something to eat and come straight to the club.”
Maestro noted that she wouldn’t have time for lunch. He would find out where she was going to be and bring her something to eat. Someone needed to look after her, and he wanted to be that someone.
Billows’ scowl deepened. “Azelie, I’ve told you it isn’t a good idea for any of our customers to see you. We might not be open, but staff arrives and sometimes others come with them. If they like to play in the Adventure Club and you’re spotted without a protector, things could go wrong for you. Someone might stalk you.”
Maestro found it interesting that Billows appeared to be somewhat protective of her, yet he hadn’t visited her in the hospital when she’d been shot. She’d nearly died and was hospitalized and then in rehab for several weeks. If Billows did visit her, Code hadn’t found evidence of it, and Azelie had indicated that her boss hadn’t come to see her. There had been no protection from press or police.
He also thought it strange, if Billows was concerned for her, that he didn’t volunteer to bring her lunch or say he’d have something waiting at the club for her. He didn’t want her seen by customers. Was that for her protection? Or was the reason sinister? No one would recognize her if she disappeared.
“I can use the private entrance on the ground floor and come down to the offices. I’ll wear my hoodie and keep my face shielded,” Azelie offered. “Hopefully, no one will see me.”
Billows rubbed his jaw and then shook his head. “I’ll come get you around six. It’s much darker then.”
Maestro’s heart did a slow stutter. He didn’t want Azelie alone in the car with her boss. The man could take her anywhere. Make her disappear.
Azelie appeared to think it over, and then she was the one shaking her head. “Everyone knows you, Alan. They know your car. If you showed up at the club with a woman in a hoodie, even if they couldn’t see my face, you know everyone would be talking. Speculating. You can’t go anywhere without celebrity press taking photographs. I think that would bring too much attention to you—and me. I’m used to taking the bus, even in the evening.”
She sounded sincerely concerned about bringing undue attention to Billows. Maestro was a little in awe of Azelie’s acting skills. He would have to always watch her carefully. He never wanted to miss a single cue, which would clue him in on what she was thinking or how she was feeling.
He knew he was born with instincts, and he’d honed them into a superb skill set. That had been done for survival. When one needed to understand and read the enemy, or any potential enemy, it made a great incentive to work hard. He also had done psychological studies at an early age to better understand and manipulate his enemies. When he was a child, he hadn’t been able to spot those willing to betray him, but he sure as hell could now.
Her boss looked pleased. He should have been worried about Azelie going out at night, but instead, he focused on her statement, taking it to mean she was looking out for him. Maestro knew better. His very intelligent woman didn’t want any part of getting in a vehicle alone with Billows. Again, Maestro had to wonder how Billows didn’t pick up on that.
“I have tons of studying to do tonight, Alan, before I can go to bed.” Azelie stood and instantly Billows followed suit, allowing her to lead the way to the door. “I’ll see you tomorrow evening,” she added as she opened the door for him, stepping back to give him room to exit.
Billows nodded, looking pleased with the outcome. He sauntered down the walkway to his car. Azelie closed the door, which automatically locked, but she stood watching Billows until he entered his vehicle. Believing her safe, Maestro swiftly raced up the stairs and let himself back into her apartment. He quickly arranged the clothes and shoes by outfit. He hadn’t shown her the sexy underwear, but he placed the lingerie on the chair as well. The little boxes of jewelry were set beside the lingerie. He hoped she wouldn’t notice until he was gone.
When Azelie entered, he was seated, but he stood up. “How did it go?”
She shrugged. “I’m going to meet him after my classes. I get out at four or four-thirty and should have enough time to get home, eat something and change before I have to be there.”
“That makes for a long day. When is your lunch break at school?”
“One-thirty, but I don’t have time to pick anything up. I’ll take some crackers with me. I usually sit outside. The campus has quite a few trees and I enjoy feeling I’m surrounded by nature. I have a semiprivate spot I like to claim where I can just sit and relax before my next class.”
“How will you get to the club?”
“I use the bus system all the time.”
Deliberately, he raised an eyebrow. “I’ll come by and pick you up.”
Looking alarmed, Azelie shook her head, an unconscious movement. “I don’t think that’s a good idea, Andrii. Alan was acting weirder than usual. I never know what mood he’s going to be in.”
“Do you think I’m afraid of this man?”
“No. But you don’t really know him. I screwed up and admitted to you that I started working for him when I was barely sixteen. I even told you what I do for him. Clearly, he’s into criminal activities. I know he’s all over the celebrity sites and is considered an eligible bachelor, but he isn’t a good man.”
“Neither am I.” Maestro wanted her to keep that in mind. “Still, if you don’t want to be seen with me, I’ll just hang back and make sure you’re safe.”
“There isn’t any reason. You can’t get into the offices. It’s a labyrinth down there and there are security measures everywhere, including guards. As it is, I think he would kill me for talking to you about this.”
“That’s why you haven’t left the job.”
Again, she shrugged. “I just want you safe. I’m going to be fine, but you need to be safe. That’s important to me.”
Maestro heard the sincerity in her voice and read the determination on her face. He couldn’t help feeling a little overwhelmed by her concern. His brothers and sisters in the club looked out for him, but the way she was anxious to stand in front of him felt huge. Important. Better than good.
“All right, baby, have it your way. Save the day after tomorrow for us. I have somewhere special I want to take you. I’ll text you with details.”
He wasn’t leaving without the taste of her in his mouth. That was most likely a huge mistake, but it didn’t matter. He needed the taste of her almost as much as he needed his next breath. Shaping his palm around the nape of her neck, he gently pulled her closer, sliding his thumb along her soft skin, tracing her cheekbone.
“Bog, but you’re beautiful,” he said. He meant it. She was a beautiful woman, but he didn’t mean the outside of her. There were a lot of gorgeous women in the world, but he’d rarely met one with her character.
Her long lashes fluttered and then lifted, and he was looking into wild blue. Shy. So endearing. He could see desire in all that blue. He wanted that look to always be there for him. That meant he had to earn it. He had to step up. She was worth it.
He ran his thumb over her bottom lip. “You remember who you belong with, Solnyshkuh. I was born to be your man.”
That meant something to her. Faint color crept under her skin, and her eyes took on a glow. He didn’t wait a moment longer, his palm tightening around her neck when he leaned down to brush his lips over hers.
The earth moved under him. The room spun away. There was nothing but the two of them. He had kissed women. Hundreds. Maybe more. A requirement of his training. Since he’d been a free man, kissing was off-limits. Kissing was too intimate, and he didn’t enjoy it—or want it. Now it was a need. An addiction. An obsession. She was his obsession.
She tasted as sweet and innocent as she looked. Strawberries and champagne. Strawberries and cream. Strawberries and fire. The longer he kissed her, the hotter the flames burned through his veins. She melted into him, her body pressed tight against his so he felt every feminine curve. So he was aware of the exact way they fit together, as if she’d been created just for him. There was no hesitation on her part. She might not be experienced—and she wasn’t—but she was the best he’d ever had. Would ever have.
