Protecting The Principessa (Complete)

~ Chapter 20 ~

"Excuse me?" Ignazia pulled back from the man that she was practically climbing on in the middle of a dance floor and peeked over his shoulder at the voice that had interrupted them. What was she thinking? She had never gone after men who were taken, not even given the shitty circumstances. And as she saw Mike standing behind Adriano, she wanted to die. Of all the men who could possibly be there, it's him, right?

"What?" Adriano grunted out, not even tossing a glance in Mike's direction. He kept his arms around Ignazia, trying to keep her from view, but she knew that wasn't happening.

"A couple of the men upstairs want to talk to you; since you left."

"You can pass along the message they can fuck off. I was tired of their bitching, and I don't want to hear anymore." She heard Mike chuckle, but she didn't dare risk a glance to look at him or Adriano.

"That's not the case. Victor got a phone call; said he might have some information that you and the boss are waiting on." Izzy felt Adriano stiffen against her and she couldn't help but wonder if that was information for her.

"Tell him I'll be right up."

"I can watch her for you." With that, she could feel the daggers that Adriano was sending at him, causing Mike to chuckle again. "It's obvious, now, that she's off limits, although, we all know that shouldn't be the case. It's important, Adriano. Izzy will be fine with me." She finally glanced up at Adriano as he glanced down at her, a confused expression clear in his eyes. And she had no doubt that it probably mirrored what was in hers.

"I'll be right back, and we can leave." She nodded, but she wasn't sure that a car ride home with him was such a great idea right now. What the hell was she doing? She licked her lips and fought hard not to watch him walk away and instead, turned to look at Mike who had such a shit-eating grin on his face.

"You know, kissing him, wanting him, that's only going to lead to trouble, right?"

"Yeah, I got that part, Mike; I don't need the reminder." Mike stepped closer to her and lightly grabbed her arm before leading her off the dance floor.

"Good, because his fiancé might stand for a lot of shit, but I don't think his cheating is one she will take laying down." Deep down, Izzy was going to have to disagree with him. She firmly believed that they both cheated; however, she couldn't understand why not if they were engaged. Or what the hell was behind the engagement if that was the case?

"I thank you for your interest and your concern, Mike, but I promise, what I do is really no business of yours. Se scelgo di scopare con qualcuno per cui si parla, è una mia scelta (If I choose to fuck around with someone who is spoken for, it's my choice.)." Mike's eyes narrowed at that, and she lifted a brow.

"He's not who you think he is; he's not some God damn hero or a good man." It took more willpower than she thought she knew not to laugh at that. Oh, she knew Adriano well enough, she didn't think he was some saint, hadn't pictured it. But she knew Mike would know well enough too, that she wasn't blind to this world like he might think she was.

"I never pegged him as that, so don't worry, Mike." She tapped his cheek and threw him a wink. "I promise, I'm a big girl, I can take care of myself." She wanted to say more, or she wanted to walk away, but the look he was giving her was stopping her from doing both. "What?"

"Come on, you came here for a reason, and I don't think it's fair you didn't get much of a night out." She wrinkled her brows in confusion and shook her head.

"I'm fine, Mike. You don't have to entertain me or anything, really."

"I'm not, Izzy, I'm just offering a dance," he told her, turning to steer them back through the crowd they had just come from.