Page 164 of Claimed At First Sight

He’ll never let me forget it.

I grip the handrail a little tighter as we descend the stairs.

How does this man so effortlessly unravel me? It’s not—

Whatever thought had been trying to form vanishes when Maximo suddenly slows beside me.

His shoulders seem to broaden, every line of his body hardening as his attention fixes on something ahead.

He steps in front of me, blocking my view.

What’s happening?

The man who’d kissed me only moments ago vanishes, leaving only the Don.

“Leon,” Maximo calls for his head of security. He appears at his shoulder almost immediately.

“Take Miss Accardi to the vehicle and wait there for me.”

My gaze bounces between Leon and Maximo. Well, his back, really.

“Why?” I ask, trying to peer around him, but he won’t let me.

“Do not argue with me, Mialina. Go.”

The words are quiet. Every trace of warmth is gone, replaced by cold authority.

Leon gently touches my elbow. “Miss Accardi, let’s go.”

I hesitate, not wanting to leave Maximo’s side.

“Go, Mialina,” Maximo repeats, steel beneath the calm. “I’ll join you shortly.”

I let Leon guide me away. That’s when I see them.

Three men stand near the entrance to the pier, perhaps thirty yards away. Expensively dressed despite the weather, their hands tucked into the pockets of dark overcoats.

They’re watching us.

No. They’re watching me.

One of them smiles. It’s not friendly. If anything, it sends a chill racing down my spine. It seems to say one thing only.

I found you.

I instinctively move a fraction closer to Leon.

Around me, six of Maximo’s men tighten their formation, their hands disappearing inside their jackets, only a heartbeat away from drawing their weapons if this goes badly.

Surely they won’t try anything here. Not in broad daylight at one of Chicago’s biggest tourist attractions.

I glance around. The heavy snowfall has driven most people indoors, leaving only a scattering of bundled-up visitors hurrying between buildings.

Maybe Maximo isn’t being nearly as overprotective as I thought.

Unable to help myself, I look back.

One of the men murmurs something to the other two. They don’t look at me again. Instead, all three of them walk toward Maximo.