Page 143 of Hunter's Revenge

I lean close to her ear. “Dance with me.”

“Really? I’d love to, but do you dance?” She gives me a quizzical stare.

“Watch me.”

Before she can comment, I lead her out onto the dance floor, leaving Zakh, who stops mid-sentence in his story.

They’re all looking at me, but I’m focusing on Gwen.

I take her into my arms and dance with her, pulling more surprises from the proverbial bag.

At first, she beams up at me, excited to be dancing with everyone else. Then she rests her head on my chest, getting closer.

This feels like the dance we should have had at our wedding. It feels like the first of many others I want with her.

Damn me. I can’t remember the last time I tried to resist the urge to love her.

Or the last I attempted to put things into perspective and remind myself that this was just supposed to be about getting the cartel and doling out punishment to the Navarros.

More and more I feel myself slipping into the valley of obsession as I wonder if this could truly work.

Gwen lifts her head, and our lips find each other. I kiss her right there with everyone watching me and wondering, and I feel like kissing her forever would never be long enough.

We part and smile at each other, then the intensity of eyes on me breaks the serene haze covering my mind.

I’m aware several people are watching us, but this is different.

When I look ahead up toward the second-floor balcony and see Diego Navarro standing in the shadows, I understand why.

Gwen is content in my arms, safe with me, and none the wiser of his presence which has shifted the air around us.

I anticipated something like this. It was just a matter of when I would see him.

A few days ago all the legal matters in securing the Navarro empire and the cartel were wrapped up. Gwen and I own everything now, and I’m the new leader.

Diego’snew leader.

But he’s not here to greet me as such, or he wouldn’t be watching me the way he is.

Diego doesn’t move, meaning he wants to talk.

I pull Gwen against me and purposely wait until the song ends. My girl wanted to dance with me, and I’ll give her that.

When the song ends, another begins with equal sentiment, but I have to deal with the looming threat.

“Malyshka, let’s come back out here in a few minutes,” I say, ushering her away. “There’s something I have to take care of.”

“That’s fine.” She giggles. “I had fun.”

“We’ll have more fun later, I promise.”

I take her back over to Zakh and Desmier, placing her right next to Zakh.

Then I lean close to him and mutter in old Norse, telling him that Diego is here. I speak in that language because the girls don’t understand it. It’s the language the Knights use to send secret messages or in times like now when I want to keep things under wraps. Desmier hears, and he and Zakh both glance up at the balcony where Diego still stands.

Zakh nods, and I set off to find Diego.

The motherfucker must have some death wish to come here.