Page 107 of Jake's Angel
Valid point.
With that, I let all the worry wash away. I need this and I’m going to enjoy it.
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
AVERY
We’ve been here goingon three hours. Sadie and Jayde went straight to the dance floor, while I hung back at the booth Sadie chose along the back wall. Iwantto dance, but I don’t trust myself not to panic if a man tries to grab me and dance with me.
Bella Noche is a beautiful place. The walls are a smoke gray color with white trim like the tabletops and bar. The cushions and draperies that hang around the room separating the sitting areas are all a deep crimson color. Men and women, all dressed to impress, fill the packed dance floor. I feel a little awkward in my little leather dress, but I’m seated and hidden away where no one will notice.
“Hello,Tesoro.”An older man with an Italian accent says, coming up beside me. “May I join you, Miss West?” I freeze. My eyes are the only thing moving, and only because they’re desperately searching for Sadie.
“I didn’t mean to frighten you. I’m Vincenzo Parisi. I own this establishment. Miss Jenkins told me you would beaccompanying her to our meeting this evening. My apologies. I thought she told you.”
He’s a handsome man, though far too old for me. Nevertheless, he is a stunning man, with black hair highlighted by silver flecks, olive green eyes, and an impeccably tailored suit that accentuates his muscular physique.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Parisi. Sadie didn’t tell me anything about the meeting. We came tonight to dance.”
He takes the seat beside me, and two men I hadn’t seen standing behind him move to the side and stand watch over the crowd.
“You came to dance? Then why are you sitting here alone and not on the floor with your friends having fun?”
I play with the edge of the drink napkin my soda is sitting on. “I don’t like crowds. Especially in a place I’m unfamiliar with.” It’s notexactlya lie. But having Gabe’s men know about my flashbacks is quite enough embarrassment.
“I see.” Mr. Parisi raises his drink glass, and a waitress scurries over to the table to take his order.
“Yes, sir?”
“A bourbon, neat for me, and another soda for the lady.”
“Of course, sir. I’ll be right back with those.” She bows, almost a full curtsey, but not quite. I’m baffled.
“Thank you, Bridgette.” The waitress takes off through the crowd toward the bar.
“So, Miss West.”
I stop him with a raised hand. “How did you say you knew my name?”
He smirks. Dear God, he has a devilishly confident look about him. But he’s no match for Jake.
No. Do not think about him.
“Miss Jenkins, Sadie,” he says, tipping his head. “We have a business arrangement. She told me you were coming with hertonight. She gave me the names of all her guests so I could notify my men to allow you entrance. Otherwise, you would’ve been outside in the line with all the others, and Sadie would’ve missed our meeting.”
“Wait. So, you’re saying Sadie planned for us to come here all along?” I scan the dance floor, looking for the sneaky bitch in question. She and Jayde are laughing and talking it up with two guys on the floor.
Hearing Vincenzo’s deep rumble of laughter beside me brings my attention back to him. He shrugs. “I’m sure you know, Miss Jenkins is often several steps ahead of everyone, and very persuasive in getting what she wants.”
Yeah, she is. And she’s going to owe me for not telling me. We could’ve completely skipped the part about the club whores climbing all over Jake.
“What are your plans now that you’ve moved to Oakridge, Miss West? May I call you Avery?” The waitress, Bridgette, approaches the table with a tray full of drinks. She sets down two napkins, my soda, and his bourbon, then quickly retreats without a word.
Odd.
“You may call me Avery. I’ve never been fond of being called Miss West. It makes me sound like my grandmother.” I reach for my fresh glass and stir the ice around with the straw.
“And you don’t want to be like your grandmother, I take it?” He holds his tumbler in his right hand, rotating it in slow, small circles.