Chapter 9: For Show

"That's kind of you," I said, and took the tray out of Renata's hands before she could set it down.

"He's off tea tonight. Doctor's orders."

Behind me Lucian said, "Mara's orders."

Renata laughed, with her whole face. "She runs you like a ship, Lucian. I love it."

"I'll have the pot sent down to be washed," I said.

"Oh, don't trouble. It's only tea."

"No trouble."

She patted my arm and went off down the corridor.

The big guard had appeared at my elbow, and I handed him the tray.

"The clinic," I said quietly. "The pot and every cup."

He nodded and went.

Then I turned and found Lucian watching the corridor with narrowed eyes.

"Aldo's at the far end," he said, without moving his lips. "With two men. They've seen us."

"Seen what? We were talking."

"A mistress doesn't talk to the Don in a hall like that. Come here."

He took my wrist and pulled me in against him.

It was meant to be for show.

I knew it, and I think he knew it, and for about one second it was.

He kissed me slowly, with his hand open at the back of my head and the cane dropped against the wall.

His mouth was warm. He tasted of nothing but himself.

I made a sound I hadn't known I had.

My hands were on his shirt, and then they were inside it, flat against the heat of his chest.

Under my palm his heart was running hard.

It was not an irregular rhythm.

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