Page 30 of His Kidnapped Queen
“I bet I could make you hotter.”
I give him a smile then turn away, coy, but something catches my eye.
It’s the gold of a wristwatch, one that probably costs more than my entire life, and I trail my eyes up his arm to his face. My mouth drops open.
Fuck.
It’s Luca, looking like he stepped off the pages of his dossier in a button-up shirt and tailored slacks. He’s not looking at me, thank god.
I can get away. I just have to get away from Oscar and…
Luca turns, meets my eyes. His green eyes widen and I know he recognized me.
I immediately turn away, back toward Oscar.
“Dance with me,” I say quickly.
He grins. “You’re a pushy one.”
I tilt my head. “Are you saying no?”
Oscar chuckles. “Hell no, I’m not.”
He stands and takes my hand, leading me out to the dance floor.
We get lost in the music, and he doesn’t touch me, just dances behind me, letting our momentum drive us together.
After a few moments when I don’t see Luca, I turn to Oscar.
“Gotta go,” I say quickly and kiss his cheek.
“Hey,” he starts, frowning, but I slide through the crowd toward the bathroom.
I have got to get away from Luca. He’ll out me to everyone.
8
LUCA
I’m bored out of my mind, idly talking to models and other wiseguys, sipping my Scotch and wondering why the hell I decided to do this.
I could have just let Nico do it, watch him fail. Maybe Father would actually see what kind of man he is, then. Maybe Nico would learn. But instead I’m playing the part of big brother, like always.
I huff out a breath. And Nico isn’t even here. I lift my gaze and freeze mid-sip of my Scotch.
Blue eyes. Baby blue eyes, wide and doe-like, staring at me. But then she looks away. Her hair is different. Blonde where it used to be dark. Short where it used to be long. And she’s gained a few pounds, mostly in her ass and hips and thighs—exactly where it belongs, in my opinion.
Sophia.
It isn’t her, my mind reminds me. It’s never her.
I move through the crowd, leaving the model I’m talking to in mid-sentence. I can’t seem to care. What if it is her? What if she’s finally here?
I find Oscar on the dance floor. I’d asked him to man the door just until Nico arrived, not wanting some bouncer to let in one of Nico’s idiot friends. I gave him the names of who to look out for.
“You’re not manning the door,” I say flatly, and Oscar blinks.
“I’m taking a break.”
