Shielding You ("The Shadows" Series: Book II)

13.

They had been following Joaquin and Viviana since the mishap as she explained the pieces that she had created. If they weren't worried sick about her opening her mouth in front of Joaquin, they might've admited it more...the way she was interpreting her works with a passion of an artist.

'So...which one do you prefer Mr. Alcarez?' she asked after about thirty minutes of roaming and contemplating over her paintings. Joaquin went for the most expensive one, and Lorenzo felt like he wasn't buying it for the painting.

'Show off.' Angelo muttered under his breath so that only Lorenzo could hear, and he couldn't agree more.

While she was busy admiring her works and explaining them to him, Joaquin had his eyes fixed on her body, like the pervert that he was, unknown to the fact that Lorenzo and Angelo had their eyes on him the whole time.

Angelo wanted to bury him alive but Lorenzo wanted to bury him alive after torturing the shit out of him. They hated men who acted like Joaquin and never spared them a second thought before harming them enough to get their mind straight. They had met many like him in their line of work, but since this place was a neutral ground, they had to hold their temper in.

'Have you decided what you would like Mr. Alcarez?' the host addressed them as he collided with the group. The former nodded and pointed at the painting making the host smile in gratitude.

'You can make the deal with Mr. Alvarez. I've already given it to him.' Viviana said and before Joaquin could protest, she slid beside Lorenzo and directed her attention towards him.

'Which one would you prefer?'

'I need some time to think. Walk with me. There's one I'm interested in and we left it behind.' Lorenzo turned his body in the opposite direction of Joaquin and gestured Viviana to lead him. Angelo fanned her other side and with a nod they led her away from Joaquin. He was about to join them when the host took his hand in his and started shaking it.

'We'll go this way Mr. Alcarez. By the way, Mr. Mancini said to inform you to see him whenever you want.' Joaquin cursed in his mind knowing this was the code the host had unintentionally related between the two. He had no idea that Joaquin and Eduardo were having a meeting here in one of the rooms. He asked the host to lead him to where Eduardo was and couldn't help steal another glance at Viviana before he left, licking his lips and sighing in frustration.

On the other hand, the three reached the first painting where they had met each other and stood in front of it until Angelo broke the silence.

'I know you saw what I did. Why didn't you tell it to him or get alarmed and stop me?' he asked. Viviana kept her gaze on the painting.

'Because I know you people and I know Joaquin. Not everything is what it looks like. What I've known about you is you do not interfere until triggered and he interferes even if not stimulated. I'm not saying you're the good guys here and he's the bad one...but I hate him and I don't care whatever you do to him as long as I'm not involved. That's your business...not mine.' Lorenzo's head turned to face her side profile that showed a serene expression.

'How could we be sure that you won't tell on us?' he asked, making her nod slowly.

'I can't prove it to you that I won't do such a thing. But, what I can assure you is that I would like to stay away from his radar for the rest of my life if it's possible. I don't like people invading my personal space and he not only tried to invade mine but also tried to...you saw what he was trying to do.' her eyes narrowed as she tried to calm herself down.

'We still can't trust your words. We don't know you.' Angelo said. They could see a hint of frustration on her face before she stepped in front of them and turned around to face them.