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I was sure “I’ deeply, I let out o”

Those pretty blue eyes widened, and she reached out to squeeze ot here”

“Who’s going?”

Anika and I both turned toward the sound of the voice, and when I saho stood there, htly

Santino Ricci

He was a senior, he was gorgeous, and he didn’t talk to anyone Like, anyone He had the reputation of being a dreadful snob But the dreadful snob was talking to us, right now

I inwardly narrowed my eyes

Why?

“Not you, I hope” He looked directly at me Those perpetually hooded eyes searched me lazily The level of confidence he had was off the charts Normally, I would steer clear, but Anika beat me to it

“Nastasia isn’t having a good time Maybe you could”—with a bu in his direction—“entertain her”

I slaainst his fir to my shoulder while the other held me easily at the lower back

Anika, the big fat liar, crooned, “Oh my God, Nas Are you okay? I am such a klutz”

Eyes wide, I blinked up at him He smiled down at me “Nastasia That’s a nice name”

“I—” Jesus, he was dreamy “Yeah”

His lip twitched “I’m Tino”

I stared at his lips and showed ence when it ca out, “I know”

His eyes crinkled, and he forced down a chuckle “You wanna share a slice with me, bella?”

I was already nodding Unfortunately, someone else answered for me

“No, she doesn’t, because we’re leaving”

Tino still held me close as Vik strode toward us It took ister, and when it did, my brow bunched

Like hell I wasn’t going anywhere “I’d like to stay”

Vik took the two steps forward to ”

“No, I’m not”

“Yes, we are”

“I don’t want to go”

Vik chuckled caustically “You think I want to leave a date to take you hoaze narrowed “Because I don’t” I don’t knohy he did it, but what he said was cruel “But when Daddy calls, I deliver, and he wants his baby hoet paid the way I do Mercenary rates”

Like I was nothing to hi more than a thorn in his side, a burden

My cheeks heated, and I mourned