Carmine

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I’ve felt Eva’s stare on my back ever since she started standing behind Gwen and me.

“Go to your room and I’ll meet you there, Gwen,” I instruct because I need to handle Eva.

Gwen moves away eagerly, and at that second, Eva switches our glasses.

Damn, she’s sly and observant.

Mirroring the movement, I swap them again since I’m guessing she did something to my water with the way she was eyeing the waiter. However, this is all speculation, so I face Eva after her company has left and pick up the glass to take a small taste – alcohol burns through my throat. As I set the beverage down, Eva guzzles hers and her stunned expression betrays her before she attempts to slink away.

But I wrap my fingers around her surprisingly strong bicep to halt her, bend down, and warn, “Don’t even think about it.”

With infinite slowness, she turns toward me and I release her.

“Why did you give me vodka?” I demand.

“I didn’t. Why did you take my drink?” Her brows knit together in confusion, which feeds mine.

“What? It was your drink?”

“Yes, I ordered a vodka, which you took, and we switched them three times, so you ended up with my drink,” she explains as if I’m a child.

For a second, I’m stunned silent. Why did she seek me out then? I’m unable to assess if she’s being honest, which pisses me off since she fucks with my mind in ways I don’t understand. First, she evades me, then she goads me, only to be a mystery once again. But her game is ingenious because every encounter leaves me more confounded.

Shaking my head and wanting to interrogate Gwen, I school my expression into one of indifference and tell her, “In that case, I’ll be going to Gwen.” To which she makes a face, and I smirk, muttering, “Although I’m guessing we’ll see each other quite soon.”

She holds my eyes as I move away, and I’m positive she comprehends my innuendo. Regardless, her ill-timed interference confirms my theory that Roman and Eva are playing some game with me, and perhaps Gwen is also involved? Gwen’s infatuation with me will help me get to the bottom of this situation.

Determined not to get diverted again, I set out for Gwen’s room, nodding to men I pass in the hallway and stopping to chat with one politician. But as we finish our conversation, I note a woman I recognize slipping through the foyer the moment the hostess is gone and quickly easing out the front door, closing it quietly.

Without hesitation, I hurry through the entrance hall as well to go outside, scanning the length of the driveway, not seeing anyone. Going straight ahead, I walk alongside the line of parked cars, stopping at my BMW and buttoning my suit jacket due to the cold, but Eva’s disappeared like a thief in the night.

“Where are you...” I utter, and all of a sudden, someone from behind me says, “Looking for me?”

As I spin around, she winds her arms around my middle and pulls me to her, taking me completely off guard. Losing my balance, I grab her by the shoulders and shove her off. When I hear a click, I look up and Eva’s aiming my own Smith & Wesson at me, arms extended with her finger on the trigger.

Gradually, I bring up my palms. “Well played.”

“Why are you following me again? I thought you were going to Gwen?”

“She isn’t as interesting as you. I wanted to know where you’re slipping off to.” I inch closer.

“Don’t move!” She points the barrel at me, but when the wind picks up, blowing her thick long hair in her face, I jump on her, confiscate my gun, and wrap my arms around hers, trapping her as she struggles against me.

Aggravated, I press her against my car. “I’m not getting into another debate with you. And my patience is wearing thin. Tell me where you’re going.”

“I’m going to get your watch, ass.” She relaxes, breathing heavily as her hair muffles my mouth.

“Fine. Then I’ll go with you.”

She shoves her curvy behind into my groin while, ironically, she says, “Don’t be an ass.”

Yanking open the door, I push her into the passenger seat and she groans as she plops down.

“We can’t leave the premises together and you know it.”

That’s true, for her. Furthermore, why do I care if she sneaks out as long as she comes back with my watch? “You know what? That pet name is starting to grow on me, little thief.”

She sends me a cynical look, commenting, “Your pet name for me isn’t starting to grow on me.”

“Since you keep calling me ass, I wanted to return the favor. I thought it was our thing,” I taunt.

She opens her mouth and shuts it, thank god, and when the front door opens, we duck simultaneously.

“Shit! Who’s there? I’m not allowed to be outside,” she says as I motion for her to crawl out.

“I don’t know. A couple of men. But we need to return inside without raising suspicion.”

“We could try the rear entrance...” Eva suggests, crouching down next to me as I quietly close the door and lift a brow lasciviously at her choice of words. “...of the mansion,” she adds in a scornful tone, yet I feel a smile tugging at the corners of my lips as I stash my gun in the back waistband of my pants.

“Where exactly is the rear entrance?” I ask.

“We have to round the right side of the mansion.”

The second the men turn away from us, I say, “Go now.”

And then we run across the driveway until we reach the side of the mansion’s bordered path that leads to the garden.

Stopping, I unbutton my suit jacket. “Wait. I need a smoke.”

“Jesus Christ, do you smoke a lot,” she pipes in, and I freeze when I reach inside for my pack of cigs.

“Is that a question or a statement? I don’t even know how to respond to that,” I retort because she can’t seem to stop aggravating me.

In reaction, Eva throws up her hands in indignation. “What? You’re the worst conversationalist, needing to insult me every chance you get.”

“I’m a good conversationalist.” I back her toward the brick wall. “But you bring this out in me with your incessant interference. Need I remind you that I can just walk inside the house? Why am I even going with you?” I muse aloud.

Her nostrils flare. “You followed me, and I have no idea why you’re still with me. You’re the one who keeps interfering when I want to leave!”

I throw up my hands in annoyance as well, hissing, “Why are we even talking about this?”

“I don’t know,” she snarls. “Just go.”

“With pleasure!” I shove my Marlboros back into my pocket. “Not even a smoke can calm me down from dealing with you.”

Unluckily, before I even attempt to take one step, a voice calls, “Who’s there?”

So I smother Eva’s mouth, pushing her against the wall with my other hand on her hip.

Footsteps near us, and there’s no way we can get to the other side of the mansion without being discovered. Then, when they come closer, her eyes widen as her black hair whips around us.

She jostles me a little, soundlessly asking me what to do, and I realize that I understand her perfectly.

Since we only have one option, I whisper, “Act like you like me.”