Impossible Odds

24

“Do you hunt down random women and fly them home with you often?” I cut my eyes over to her. “No. This is a first.” She was dying to ask more questions, and I wished she wouldn’t. It seemed an outgoing personality and insipid curiosity were a package deal, at least in her case. I didn’t want to encourage her but caved when the pressure inside the car from her unspoken questions became stifling. “Just ask whatever it is you want to know.” She said nothing for a long minute as she weighed her words. “I want to know why. Why go out of your way to find me just for a lighter?” That was exactly the type of question I had hoped to avoid. I breathed steadily, taking my time to formulate my response. She probably wouldn’t be thrilled to hear that my pursuit of her had hardly been out of my way. Instead, I’d explained in the best way I could. “Why didn’t you steal my chips? I had thousands of dollars in high denomination chips sitting next to the lighter, but you never touched them.” “That’s easy. I didn’t want your money. I just wanted … your attention, I guess.” “There you have your answer. You demanded my attention, and I was too intrigued not to give it. Not many women would be so bold as to spar with me the way you did. At first, I refused to take your bait, but when you raised the stakes, I couldn’t resist. I had to learn more about the woman who had dueled with me and managed to get in the final blow.” She glanced down at her hands. “About that. I swear I’m not normally a thief. I mean … not to say I’ve never done it before, but it’s not something I do often. I don’t want you to think I’ll take anything from you again, now that I know you.” I smirked. “That’s good because I don’t think I’d be so forgiving a second time.” Giada was quiet until we reached the airport. I’d arranged for staff at the airline to handle the return of my rental car—one of the many perks to flying out of a small, privately-owned airstrip. Giada even had her passport, making our departure that much smoother. I was pleased I didn’t have to involve Juan Carlos. He was probably pissed that I hadn’t asked for his help. I would have made the call had it come down to that, but I was relieved it hadn’t. His maniacal behavior was enough to keep me away, but now I was especially reluctant to see him knowing he’d been the one to kill my mother, even though he hadn’t known who she was at the time. I was leaving Juan Carlos behind me and had Giada in my possession. The only hitch in my current course was Naz. He would be pissed, but he’d get over his anger soon enough. I hoped. After the dust settled, we’d deal with what I’d learned about the past. My emotions hadn’t settled on the matter, and I would not broach the subject until I was clearheaded about it. I needed to know how I felt before I demanded answers. Giada climbed aboard the Cessna jet as if she was accustomed to flying on private jets. I wasn’t sure if that was the case or if she was just adept at controlling her reactions. She slipped into one of the soft leather captain’s chairs, and I seated myself in the chair facing hers. “The plane is beautiful,” she said, glancing around the cabin, taking in the creamy leather and chestnut wood finishes. The inside only had room for six passengers, making it feel rather confined, but it was crafted in the finest luxury materials to ensure a comfortable ride. “Do you travel often?” “Frequently, yes, but usually not quite so far from home. I go to Vegas for work frequently.” “I love Vegas.” She tried to hold back a grin. “In fact, I look back on my last trip there rather fondly.” I shook my head. “Buckle your seat belt, viborita, before you tumble onto my lap, and I devour you whole.” She took a shuddered breath, then clasped the belt across her lap. “What does that mean? Viborita?” I held her gaze intently, making her squirm in her seat. “It means little viper. That’s what you reminded me of with those hypnotic eyes and your ability to strike when someone least expects it. A hidden danger, never to be underestimated.” Giada stilled. “How is it you see me better than people who have known me my whole life?” “Sometimes it’s hard to see someone we’ve grown up with as something different than they’ve always been. I see you without any preconceived notions, just as you are. Nothing more, nothing less.” She swallowed. “And do you like what you see?” She wasn’t fishing for compliments. Her question was rife with uncertainty. Despite all her confidence and courage, Giada wrestled with insecurities, just like the rest of us. “Far more than I should.” With that clipped admission, I turned my gaze out the small window as we advanced down the runway. Neither of us spoke again as we were catapulted into the air, but I sensed her steal furtive glances in my direction. The silence in the cabin acted as a pressurizer, thickening the tension around us. Uncertainty magnified desire and vice versa, the two feeding off one another, charging the air with friction. As the plane leveled out, I unlatched my belt to put an end to the mounting pressure but didn’t make it to my feet before my phone rang. f*****g Naz. The man needed to learn some patience. I pulled out my phone to see what he needed but was surprised to find it wasn’t his number on the display. Matteo De Luca was calling. I inhaled a long, calming breath through my nose before answering. “De Luca, what a pleasant surprise.” “I seriously doubt that it’s pleasant or a surprise. Do you have any f*****g idea what you’ve done?” His voice was layered with cultured violence. A barely restrained warning kept in check by the fraying thread of our past. “I know you’re upset, De Luca, but she’s with me of her own free will.” I held Giada’s vibrant green gaze, enjoying the indignation stiffening her spine. “It doesn’t matter if she bought the plane ticket herself or was coerced at gunpoint. The families will not tolerate meddling in their world, no matter how innocent your intent may be.” His sneer of the word innocent made it clear he didn’t believe my intentions were pure in the slightest. I respected De Luca—had even owed him a debt up until recently—and I appreciated that we could talk to one another as equals. He was a competent leader of his family and for a good reason. He was correct about my intent and had every right to be upset. I didn’t have a particular desire to make him my enemy, but unfortunately, my hands were tied.