Chapter 6
"Boss, what are your orders?" Vincent yelled over the sudden, tense quiet, his weapon aimed squarely at Fintan’s two bodyguards.
The bodyguards immediately raised their hands, backing away from the fallen man. They knew better than to draw their weapons in a room full of Aldous's loyalists. They rushed to Fintan, struggling to lift the heavy, overturned trolley off his legs, but they made no aggressive moves toward the boss.
Aldous ignored the capos. He ignored the bodyguards.
Carys immediately turned her back on the wreckage. She stepped carefully over a puddle of spilled water and returned directly to Aldous’s side.
Her entire body was shaking now. Her delicate fingers trembled violently as she reached up toward his chest. She didn't ask for permission; her protective instincts completely overrode her fear.
She reached for his crooked black bow tie. With immense, painstaking care, she gently adjusted the silk knot, pulling his collar back into place and smoothing the expensive fabric of his lapel. Her hands were shaking so hard she could barely manage the simple task, but she refused to step away.
"I'm sorry," Carys whispered, her voice barely audible over the murmur of the crowd. "I'm so sorry, sir."
Aldous looked down at her. The cold, dangerous mafia boss facade melted entirely. His dark eyes were filled with a profound, staggering affection.
One single, crystalline tear slipped free from Carys’s expressive eyes, tracing a path down her pale, beautiful cheek. The stress, the fear of losing him, and the shock of her own violence culminated in that single drop of water.
Aldous did not hesitate. He raised his heavily tattooed hand. With incredible, masculine gentleness, he extended his thumb and softly wiped the tear away from her skin.
Carys paused. Her hands stopped shaking against his chest. She looked up, her breath catching as she met his deeply softened gaze. The bright, elegant warmth of the ballroom seemed to focus entirely on the space between them.
"You have absolutely nothing to apologize for, Carys," Aldous murmured, his voice a low, reassuring rumble meant only for her. "You are magnificent."
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Behind them, the splashing and grunting continued as the bodyguards finally heaved the heavy plastic trolley off Fintan’s legs. The senior associate groaned, struggling to sit up in the puddle of filthy water, his expensive tuxedo completely ruined.
Aldous did not look back at him. He kept his eyes locked firmly on the beautiful housemaid who had just risked her life to protect his dignity.
