Harlequin Historical September 2021--Box Set 1 of 2

by Christine Merrill

  “I know, and I’ve tried to distance myself from my family.”

  “But does the other family care about that? Isn’t it all about revenge anyway?”

  Lorenzo didn’t say anything.

  “I don’t want anything to happen to you,” she said, concern etched in her gorgeous features.

  She grabbed handfuls of his suit and pulled him to her. She kissed him in a way that personified everything she’d just said. Her kiss was full of emotions, from fear, to longing, to lust, to something much more.

  Lorenzo wrapped her in his arms and caressed her curves. Her body felt so right against his. His arousal was instant. He swooped her up and then knelt down to place her on the carpeted floor of the small office. He was so glad they were alone. Having Jerry return to Blues Moon had been the best idea.

  Lorenzo brushed her hair from her face and kissed her again. He slid between her legs and let his arousal push against her through his pants. Her breath hitched.

  “Is this okay?” Lorenzo said.

  “Yes...” she said on a breath.

  Her intoxicating scent and her melodic voice shattered Lorenzo’s resolve. He pulled her stockings and panties off and played with her center like he’d done in their first intimate encounter. He didn’t want to hurt her, so he took his time getting her ready for him.

  She moaned and panted through her orgasms. When she’d had three, Lorenzo entered her, and as their bodies connected he knew it would be the biggest effort of his life to withdraw before he came. He couldn’t risk her getting pregnant, even if he knew he wouldn’t be able to let her go...

  CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

  Lorenzo

  Lorenzo knocked on Evelyn’s door. He was just about five minutes early, but he couldn’t wait any longer. He was both nervous and excited to take Evelyn to the fundraiser. He wanted to be seen with her. He wanted people to know that she was his to protect and that messing with her would most assuredly result in them coming to harm. He had given his father’s proposition some thought, but he refused to use Evelyn in any way. Her career was hers. He would only help her if she asked him to.

  Knocking again, Lorenzo felt fear rising in his chest.

  When Evelyn finally opened the door he saw she’d donned a blue dress that clung to her curves like a second skin. The feathers on it gave her an otherworldly appearance. She’d pinned her hair so that it fell into curls over her right shoulder. That long, thick black hair called to Lorenzo. He wanted to run his fingers through it. Grab a handful of it and secure her mouth to his.

  He stood enthralled by her beauty. “You look stunning.” Lorenzo couldn’t take his eyes off of her.

  “Thank you,” she said, avoiding his gaze.

  “Are you ready to go? We’ll need to go out the back entrance so we can enter the fundraiser through the front. There will be reporters outside.”

  Evelyn nodded. She pulled on navy silk gloves that went all the way to her elbows and a brown fur cape. Her earrings hung from her delicate ears like small chandeliers. She couldn’t have been more beautiful.

  Lorenzo smoothed his classic gray three-piece suit. He’d chosen navy shoes and a navy and gray bowtie. He’d had Jeb inform some reporters about the fundraiser and tell them that he’d be arriving with his new singer and possible love interest. He told himself the “love interest” part was just to protect her.

  “After you,” she said, motioning toward the door.

  Lorenzo stood in the hall while Evelyn turned out the lights and grabbed her pocketbook from the table. It was small and navy. It matched her dress perfectly. He tried to focus on anything other than Evelyn’s plunging neckline and the curve of her breasts as she walked toward him.

  His mouth watered at the thought of kissing her soft skin. He swallowed and took a deep breath. He offered Evelyn his arm as they approached the elevator. The attendant waited for them to get on before closing the gate and taking them down to the first floor.

  Walking into the foyer of the club, Lorenzo directed Evelyn to the back door that led to the street. There was a red carpet leading around the building to the front of the club, where they would enter, in front of all the reporters.

  Lorenzo walked uncomfortably as his pants had tightened due to his growing desire for her. Her eyes were traveling down the length of his body. He worried that she could tell he was aroused. He needed to divert his attention—and hers.

  “Have you been to many fundraisers?”

  Evelyn’s gaze fell on Lorenzo’s face once again. Her brow creased. “Just one in Greenwood. My aunt used to sing at a lot of events like this. I wasn’t really old enough to go, but she let me come with her once.”

  “That must have been exciting.”

  Evelyn smiled, then looked at the growing crowd of patrons waiting to get into Blues Moon, and the roped-off area where the reporters stood, cameras flashing. They walked toward the entrance so the reporters could see them entering Blues Moon.

  “Why are there so many reporters? I thought it would just be a few.”

  The fear in Evelyn’s voice made Lorenzo’s heart sink.

  “Nothing to worry about. They’re always looking for a story. There are usually famous people at these events.”

  Evelyn looked at Lorenzo with a grief-stricken expression. But he couldn’t be prouder to have her on his arm. The stars in the sky shone down on her like a spotlight. The city bustled with patrons flitting around, waiting to be let into the fundraiser.

  “Mr. De Luca, can we talk to you? Can we meet your date?”

  Lorenzo continued to walk, ignoring the prying questions of the reporters who lined the path to the door. A few of Lorenzo’s security guards came out to ensure the reporters stayed back and Lorenzo and Evelyn could enter Blues Moon easily.

  “Mr. De Luca, is it true that you’re involved with your new lead singer? Is this her?”

  Evelyn looked at Lorenzo with wide eyes.

  He reached out and took her hand in his. “You don’t have anything to be worried about while you’re with me.”

  Then, out of the corner of his eye, Lorenzo saw something go up in flames. He turned to see a large cross ablaze. A signature KKK move. Smoke filled the air instantly. The reporters turned to see what was going on. Their cameras flashed and Lorenzo took that moment to get Evelyn inside of the club. He had to get her away from this chaos.

  Sam opened the front door of Blues Moon. “Mr. De Luca and Miss Laroque, are you okay?”

  “Yes, Sam.”

  Lorenzo offered Evelyn his hand and helped her climb the stairs. The air had turned cool. He was glad Evelyn had on a cape, which made her look regal.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE

  Evelyn

  The clicking of cameras and the blinding flashes that had followed made Evelyn’s head spin. She was thankful for Lorenzo’s arm. She clung to him like her life depended on it. She had anticipated strange looks from the other guests. She had mentally prepared herself for glares from women and men of all races. But she hadn’t planned for the reporters and the burning cross that stood at least six feet high.

  Her heart threatened to beat right out of her chest as Lorenzo wrapped his strong arm around her, pulling her into him as she shook.

  Just inside the club, Lorenzo turned to her with his hands on her shoulders. “Are you okay?”

  “I’m...f-fine,” Evelyn stammered. She tried to smile, but her legs were weak, and she feared she would pass out at any moment.

  Lorenzo, seeming to realize she was unsteady on her feet, wrapped his arm around her again and directed her to a seat at the bar. “Tommy, get her some water, please.”

  Tommy obliged, handing Lorenzo a glass.

  “Here, take a sip.” He turned to Tommy. “Stay with her. Keep her safe. I’ll be right back.”

  Lorenzo sprinted out the door toward danger.

 
Evelyn couldn’t breathe while he was gone. Every second felt like an eternity without him, not knowing if he was okay...

  When he finally ducked back through the door, Evelyn let out a labored breath of relief.

  He stood in front of her with his hands resting on her thighs. “We can leave. You don’t have to stay after all of this.”

  “If we leave, then they win. They’re trying to scare me. I won’t run.” She shook her head. “No, no. I want to stay. I want to sing—show them that a little fire doesn’t scare a survivor of Greenwood. You said a lot of these people have come just to see me. We can’t disappoint them.”

  The club gleamed, with newly installed white marble floors, crystal chandeliers hanging low from the ceiling and beautiful black poker tables. The grandeur of the club was not lost on Evelyn, even though she was struggling to keep her breathing steady.

  She took deep breaths as Lorenzo leaned in. He took her hands in his. “Look at me, Evelyn. It’s okay. You’re okay.”

  He cupped the back of her neck. He pulled her lips to his and kissed her gently. The warmth and sweet taste of his mouth helped to calm her pounding heart. She lost herself in the kiss as Lorenzo’s tongue entered her mouth. She forgot where she was for a moment and grabbed a handful of his suit jacket, anchoring him to her.

  “Boss, you might want to look up,” Tommy said.

  Evelyn felt Lorenzo pull away from her reluctantly. A look passed over his face.

  “This must be Evelyn.”

  The man who could only be Lorenzo’s father didn’t smile at her.

  “Nice to meet you, Mr. De Luca.”

  Evelyn stood on wobbly legs to shake his hand. She tugged at her gloves to make sure they completely covered her scars. She still couldn’t believe that Lorenzo had seen them and simply acted like they were a beautiful secret she was keeping from everyone.

  “Lorenzo, we need to talk.” Lorenzo’s father didn’t acknowledge Evelyn again as he focused on his son.

  “What are you doing here?” Lorenzo said.

  “I’m here to congratulate you, of course.” Lorenzo’s father placed a hand on Lorenzo’s cheek.

  “Please, come this way,” a waitress said. “Your table is ready.”

  “I’ll only join you for a few moments, son.”

  Lorenzo’s father smiled, showing his bright white teeth. Mr. De Luca looked like an older, plumper version of Lorenzo. They had the same perfect hair, sculpted face and long dark lashes. But Lorenzo’s eyes were lighter than his father’s, and Lorenzo was all muscle where his father was rounder from living an opulent lifestyle.

  Walking through the club, Evelyn tried to ignore the stares. She tried to ignore how Lorenzo’s father had dismissed her. She stood tall and held her chin high. She gripped Lorenzo’s arm tight.

  He looked down at her with an arch in his brow. “Are you okay?”

  Evelyn loved when he asked her that. She nodded in response, but she really wasn’t okay. She wanted to get out of there and get back to the safety of her apartment, where she and Lorenzo could be alone and away from the prying eyes of strangers.

  The chandeliers blinded Evelyn. They were like white snow on a sunny day. Evelyn rubbed her forehead with the back of her glove, feeling a little faint. She was thankful to get to the small table with two chairs right in front of where the band was playing.

  “I’ll grab another chair.”

  The waitress returned shortly, and the three of them sat down.

  The other tables were all full and there were patrons standing around the dance floor, listening to the music and watching Lorenzo and Evelyn.

  Benny was playing and she couldn’t wait to join him—if for no other reason than to get away from Lorenzo’s father. The music was upbeat, but Evelyn felt an instant calm when she sat down and focused on the rhythm. She found herself tapping her foot.

  “So, son, you weren’t going to invite your own father to the biggest event in the city?”

  “I didn’t know you’d be interested.”

  “Well, I won’t be staying long. But I will always be interested in you and your well-being. Besides, I love a good party. I’ve come to tell you that I believe you should consider rejoining the family. Can’t you see how much your family has missed you? I’ve heard some upsetting things have happened and more are in the works. Nothing will prevent me from protecting my son. Not even his own stubbornness.”

  Lorenzo squeezed Evelyn’s hand under the table. “I appreciate the offer, Father.”

  And, truth be told, after the burning cross Evelyn was worried that the KKK might feel emboldened and make a move.

  Mr. De Luca shook his head. “You are definitely stubborn, but you should know that sometimes our own vices are what lead to those we care about dying.”

  Lorenzo’s father looked at Evelyn with growing disgust in his eyes.

  “Well, I guess I’ll be going.” He stood. “Think seriously about the choices you’re making, son.”

  Lorenzo’s father’s eyes roamed over Evelyn once more before he left, but Evelyn was determined not to let the KKK or Lorenzo’s father ruin this night Lorenzo had worked so hard to put together. She would have a great time and show everyone that she was a lot stronger than anyone gave her credit for.

  It took a while, but eventually Evelyn started enjoying the party. She felt so regal, being the star of the show and being with the owner of the club. This was more than she could have hoped for when she’d set out for Kansas City.

  Evelyn continued to listen to the music, swaying with the rhythm.

  “I’m glad you’re starting to enjoy yourself,” Lorenzo said after sitting silently for several minutes. “I’m sorry about my father.”

  “It’s okay. He doesn’t approve of me. I’m not surprised. But I am enjoying myself. I hope you are too.”

  She just wanted to listen to the music and be with Lorenzo as the smell of expensive perfumes, liquor and meat filled the air.

  When it was time for her to perform, she didn’t hesitate. She smiled at Lorenzo and left him at the table. She took her place center stage to a standing ovation and cheers from the large crowd. Blues Moon was always packed, but this was an even larger crowd. They hardly had room to move.

  The notes of her latest original song coasted on the air, parting the silence like a sharp knife.

  Once she started singing, the crowd stood frozen.

  She closed her eyes and let all the built-up emotion of losing her family, her guilt at falling in love with a White man, and the overwhelming pleasure he’d given her when they’d made love spill from her lips.

  Evelyn sang for an hour as people filtered in and out of the fundraiser. She couldn’t imagine how much money had been raised. When her set was over, she returned to the table, where Lorenzo greeted her by engulfing her in his arms. She inhaled his savory sweet scent. He looked down at her and pressed his lips to hers. Cameras flashed. She didn’t care.

  After their kiss, he pulled her down into the seat with him. The waitress brought over two full glasses of brown liquor. The sweet, strong smell took Evelyn’s breath away.

  “You don’t have to drink that,” Lorenzo said.

  “I know, but I don’t want to be rude.”

  “I don’t want you to get sick.”

  “I won’t.” Evelyn picked up the glass with her free hand and took a large sip.

  “Be careful. Tommy’s special drinks can be tricky. It tastes sweet, but it will knock you out.”

  Evelyn smiled. The brown liquid blazed a trail down her throat straight to her chest. The room was suddenly warm, like someone had turned up the heat. Evelyn unhooked her fur cape.

  A waiter was there instantly, to take it from her. “May I take your gloves, miss?”

  The young man couldn’t be much older than Evelyn.

  “No, thank you.�
� Evelyn pulled them up farther on her arms, as if to assure him that she wanted to keep them on.

  The lights on stage where the band played were dimmer. Evelyn started to relax a little.

  “What do you think of the transformation of the club?” Lorenzo asked.

  “This is grand. It reminds me of the hotel in Greenwood, but this is bigger,” Evelyn said.

  Seeming to notice her anxiety, Lorenzo asked, “Do you want to leave?”

  “I’m fine.”

  She wasn’t fine. She was scared to death of what the KKK was planning and she was faltering under the scrutiny of all the people at the fundraiser. It seemed like all eyes were on her and Lorenzo.

  “I’m going to take you back to your apartment,” he said.

  “No, really. I want to stay.”

  Lorenzo and Evelyn ate sauteed vegetables and cured meats that Cook sent to their table. After they were finished, Evelyn just wanted to lie down. The events of the night had finally hit her. Her eyes grew heavier with each passing second.

  “I can take you to your apartment now. I’ll come back in the morning and check on you. The fundraiser is nearly over now anyway. And, thanks to you, it was an amazing success. I’m not sure of the exact numbers, but I think we will surely be able to renovate a couple of buildings and devote them to helping families in need.”

  Evelyn smiled and nodded.

  Lorenzo helped her to her feet and motioned for the waiter to bring her cape.

  While they waited at the elevator, an older gentleman walked up.

  “Good evening,” Lorenzo said.

  “It looks like it’s going to be good for you.” The man smiled slyly. “When you’re done with her, you think I can have her next? How much does she go for?”

  “Excuse me? I beg your pardon?” It took Evelyn a moment to register what the man was implying. The events of the evening had her reflexes completely messed up.

  Lorenzo moved Evelyn behind him. “If you say one more word that might suggest that you are disrespecting this beautiful woman, it will be the last word you say.”