Pink, page 23
Rounding the corner that opened to the main receptionist’s desk and the entrance of the Delavange offices, Gigi only saw one man despite the usual, busy movement of many people going about their day and work. Lev, that was.
Turned sideways where he leaned against the receptionist’s desk, he wasn’t looking her way but toward the front doors. Gigi was only staring at him and the way he filled out the leather jacket and dark-wash jeans. Fantastically, by the way. He filled them out fantastically. Right down to the black runners on his feet, one of which he tapped to the floor like he was bored.
Or maybe stuck in his head, thinking.
She was used to seeing him in dressier, more professional clothing. The laid-back style he currently wore was new but also not a bad thing. Not at all.
“Hey,” Gigi said when he finally noticed her approach from the side.
Standing to his full height, Lev pushed away from the desk to reach for her. Pulled into his tight hug before she could even get another word out, the crisp notes of his cologne pulled her into an entirely different place. One that felt like soft sheets, warm skin, and his dark tenor whispering wonderful, dirty things in her ear. Lev didn’t let her go right away, and she settled into his embrace, all too happy to tip her head back and take the kiss he offered despite the fact she knew people were probably watching.
Let them watch.
Fuck, everybody else already was.
“You could have said you wanted to know where I was because you wanted to stop by—I would have had someone down here to bring you up.”
Lev grinned a sexy sight, shrugging his broad shoulders. “I can’t stay long. What are you wearing?”
He held her out in his arms just far enough that he could take in the silk robe she had tied tight enough to keep any slips from happening.
“I was having a fitting,” she said, trying not to be defensive, but his cocked eyebrow made it hard. “And I’m working, getting a fitting. That’s what the robe is for; ten minutes ago, I was in nothing but white panties.”
That had Lev humming under his breath when he replied with interest, “That so?”
“Stop.”
“Just white panties? Are they still on? You wanna … open that robe up and show me?”
“Oh, my God.”
“And you’re gonna be walking in lingerie, right?”
“Lev.”
How this man could make her bashful, she didn’t know. He managed it, though.
Lev laughed deeply, his arm coming to rest snugly along her lower back when he said, “I’m just giving you a hard time. You make it too easy. And don’t worry, I’m not about to cause a scene. Besides, I’m just doing something that should have been done a week ago.”
“What?”
“Keep in mind, they’re only going to be as close as they need to be until … well, either you no longer need them or things blow over. Whichever comes first.”
She still didn’t know what Lev was talking about, but he didn’t make her wait to learn. Turning them both to face the entrance doors, her back stayed pressed against his chest when her gaze landed on something—or rather, someones—that hadn’t been standing outside the office building when she arrived earlier.
Four men.
All in black suits.
They stood with their backs to the doors while they looked out to the busy street ahead of them. From her position, she could see the wires behind each of their right ears. The same kind of spiral wire her security team used.
“Four enforcers from the Marcello famiglia, posted by Andino Marcello himself,” Lev explained quietly. “Mob detail, babe. They are dressed and will act appropriately as to not draw attention or seem out of place with your usual team, but they will not follow the same code of conduct when it comes to dealing with issues as your security will.”
She had a ton of questions.
A chill raced through her.
“My team probably won’t like—”
“They’re not going to have much of a choice, Gigi. I assure you.”
“Why do I need more—”
Lev’s heavy sigh quieted her, but he soothed away the anxiety starting to climb up her throat when he pressed a warm kiss to the spot behind her right ear. Lingering there, he murmured, “Because nothing is going to ruin these next two weeks for you, and we have enough of a reason to suspect someone might try to do exactly that.”
“You mean Jensen Todrey.”
“Or someone else. His little friend from Cali, or even the fucks they’re working with in the skin trade. Listen, I don’t want to get into details, but we’re digging into every possible avenue right now. They certainly had the media in a fit again, didn’t they?”
“But is that the only reason?”
Lev stiffened a bit behind her. “No.”
“What else is there?”
When he didn’t answer right away, Gigi turned in his arms. He didn’t stop her, and he met her gaze when she faced him again.
“Lev?”
His tongue peeked out to wet the edge of his bottom lip before he muttered, “Last week when the assholes showed up at Arely’s daycare, her enforcer was nowhere to be seen. He eventually showed up … dead in a ditch. The media wasn’t the only message we were sent last week. This is extra precaution right now, babe. That’s all.”
Jesus.
Lev could clearly see the panic Gigi couldn’t hide because his hands came up to cup her face and his lips found hers in a slow, sensual kiss. One she couldn’t help but answer back, once again lost to him and this strange thing growing between them.
“You focus on your thing,” he told her, the words a breath against her mouth, “and let us handle our side, okay?”
“Easier said than done.”
“But it will be done.” Then, Lev gave her another one of those toothy grins she loved so much when he asked, “And hey, what are you doing today, anyway? Or later?”
“Finishing this fitting. A dinner I can’t get out of but nothing after. Tomorrow I have an event, but the rest of the evening and night is all mine to do with what I want.”
“Yeah?”
His excitement had her laughing. “Yeah.”
“So, maybe I could … take you out?”
Gigi blinked. “Like on a date?”
“Surely we’ve got enough people around you now to keep any photogs at bay, right?”
“Well, don’t hold your breath.”
Lev barked out a laugh. “Fair enough. You up for it, though?”
“I am. What about Arely?”
“She keeps asking about you.”
Did she?
Why did that make Gigi’s heart skip a beat?
“I like her,” Gigi admitted.
“She likes you, too.” His smile stretched wider. “If you’re not doing anything tonight, then maybe me and her could—”
“Come to the hotel. Everything is kind of everywhere but hey … she’ll love it.”
Lev gave her a look, his brow dipping in confusion. “Do I even want to ask?”
“Probably not.”
After all, everything between them up until that point had been by the seat of their pants. They learned on the fly, right? She kind of liked it that way.
• • •
“It’s too big!”
“Now, just you wait one second here,” Gigi said, working the fabric of the wrap dress around and around Arely’s wiggling form. It was far too large for the girl, but for whatever reason—she was blaming the shimmery fabric—it was the one dress in the large closet of her hotel room that Arely just couldn’t say no to. A few more wraps, and a big bow at the back with the loose ends, and Gigi stepped back to admire her work. “See? Perfecto!”
Arely struck a pose with one little hand to her popped hip and another against her cheek as she kissed the air. “Pretty?”
“The most pretty.”
“Yes.” Arely pumped a small fist into the air. “Now we do the walk.”
Gigi laughed. “The catwalk, yep. Think you’re ready to show your dad?”
“He better like it.”
“I’m sure he will.”
Mostly.
She was sure Lev was gonna love the sight of his kid in a three-thousand-dollar dress that Gigi had turned into some hybrid romper. Topped off with bright pink lipstick, some blush, and even a wide-brimmed hat just because.
It was her idea to play dress up and model whatever look they came up with. Arely jumped at the chance, especially when she saw the closet full of things. Most of which probably wouldn’t follow Gigi back to her home in Milan, if that was where she decided to go after her work in New York concluded. At the moment, she didn’t know if she was leaving the states … or if she wanted to.
But that was a topic for another time.
“Wait, can I—the shoes, too!” Arely’s excitement came out in a rush as she pointed with all the ferocity she could muster at the sparkly, five-inch peep-toe pumps on the shelf to their left. The shoes had been a gift sent to Gigi from a friend the week before. She hadn’t even worn them yet. “I has to have shoes, Gigi.”
Gigi held back her smile, not wanting the girl to think she was making light of her seriousness, replying, “Well, obviously.”
Unfortunately, the shoes made walking just about entirely impossible for Arely. At least, not without the girl likely rolling her damn ankles. Gigi wasn’t going to have that. The quickest way to ruin the fun was by someone getting hurt.
Besides, she was pretty sure if she—even accidentally—hurt Lev’s kid, it would be the last time she ever saw the girl. And probably him, too. Maybe she was being a little dramatic but honestly, she wouldn’t blame the man. Clearly, it had been him and his kid for a long time. Lev was all Arely had when the rest of the world went away, and it was time to be tucked in at night. Even Gigi could see the absolute love between the two.
She pushed those thoughts aside to handle the overly excited little girl with very expensive shoes in her hand. Leading Arely out of the closet, she waited until they were just inside the suite’s bedroom door before taking the shoes back.
“Okay, we’ll put these on, but just to strike a pose and show your dad. Then, we’ve got to take them off, so they don’t hurt your feet.”
Arely sighed, her big blue eyes rolling at that. “My Auntie Nessa says beauty is pain.”
Gigi cocked a brow, almost impressed at the five-and-a-half-year-old’s confidence, but more concerned than anything. She was sure Nessa—who Gigi had yet to properly meet face to face beyond their first interaction years ago—hadn’t meant anything bad by saying the same type of thing that other women had been saying for decades. Thing was, that didn’t always make it right.
Kneeling down so the two of them were eye-level, Gigi rubbed away the little smudge of lipstick on Arely’s chin. How she even got lipstick there, Gigi didn’t know. “Hey, listen … nothing that makes us beautiful should hurt, you know? If it hurts, then it doesn’t feel good. And the best way to be beautiful is to feel beautiful inside first.”
Arely pursed her lips. “Yeah?”
Gigi shrugged. “Yeah.”
“Can I show my daddy now?”
“Absolutely.”
She helped Arely into the shoes, and then put her index finger to her lips, silently telling the girl to be quiet as she stepped out of the bedroom. Of course, making sure not to spoil the surprise by closing the door, leaving only a crack left, behind her.
Across the room, Lev was looking over the cart of food that room service had finally brought up. She only ordered it an hour ago. He shot her a curious look, and then the door to the bedroom, too.
“Where’s Arely?”
“Coming. Get your phone ready,” she told him. “You’re gonna want it.”
“Why?”
“You’ll see.”
That was all she was giving him. The rest was better experienced firsthand.
“Well?” Lev asked waving his phone. “Ready whenever you are.”
Gigi waved a hand his way. “Patience.”
“I’m ready!”
Arely’s muffled yell had Gigi laughing before she pulled open the bedroom door. There, already striking her pose and looking as cute as ever, was Arely.
“Next on the runway,” Gigi said, tossing Lev a wink and grin, “is Arley Arsov wearing the latest fashion, styled by Gigi Rey Parker.”
Arely grinned wide as Lev’s laughter coated the room. She heard the camera on his phone click at the same time he said, “What in the fuck is she wearing?”
“It’s pretty!” Nobody could glare like a little girl staring down her father from the other side of the room. “Right?”
“Beautiful,” she assured Arely. “Very avant-garde.”
Not that the girl would understand what Gigi meant by that. She wasn’t even sure Lev had explained to Arely what Gigi did for a living or why there had been photographers following them lately. Would he ever?
“The prettiest,” Lev was quick to add. “Obviously.”
Without warning, Arely kicked off the shoes. Gigi might have winced another time, knowing damn well the floor probably scuffed the heels. But the way the girl proceeded to strut across the room like she was on a runway had her laughing instead.
Lev, too. The smile he shot her way said he wasn’t mad about the outfit, makeup, or anything else. Besides, Arely’s smile was worth far more than some scuffed shoes and a wrinkled wrap dress. She had a feeling by the time the night was over, there would be a few more ruined shoes or dresses.
Gigi didn’t mind at all.
It was easier to focus on this and making Arely smile instead of the unknowns. Like the dead man Lev had mentioned. Yeah. Wasn’t like she could forget about that. She could, however, pretend for a little while.
Just like the camera had turned on, she would play her part. Except it wasn’t a camera—it was a smiling five-and-a-half-year-old ready to put on her next outfit to show off. Same difference, right?
TWENTY-TWO
“ARE YOU going to do a little strut for me, too?” Lev asked Gigi.
Too low for Arely to hear where she stood in front of a large mirror position directly across from the sitting room’s wall of windows. Checking out her poses in the reflection, she shot the mirror a kiss into the air in front of her.
“I could put on a little something to—”
The ringing of a phone stopped Gigi from saying anything more, making Lev groan when she tossed him a wink over her shoulder. It certainly wasn’t the right time for the two of them to be playing their games together what with his kid there, but he couldn’t help himself. Plus, he was keeping it clean.
Mostly.
“Give me a second, that’s the conference phone,” Gigi explained, heading through the open concept rooms to where a long table sat between the sitting area and the small kitchen on the other side. “The hotel uses it to call me. Same with security. And my team … yeah.”
He laughed under his breath. “Does it ever end?”
“Not really.”
Lev couldn’t even imagine.
“Daddy, I forgot, look at what Gigi gave me!”
Gigi answered the conference phone at the same time Arely came rushing over to his spot on the white leather sofa. He swore his kid didn’t know the meaning of quiet, but he tried to shush her all the same.
“Gigi here,” came the sweet voice from across the suite.
In his lap, however, Arely wasn’t having any of his efforts to keep her quiet when she shoved a mini backpack—mini for an adult, anyway—into his face. The supple leather of the bag was enough to tell him the backpack was pricey. The logo printed all over the item, including on the hardware of the bag, only confirmed his suspicions.
In her second outfit of the evening, a dress that was probably short as hell on Gigi but fell to the floor on his daughter, combined with a belt to keep it tight to her tiny waist, Arely couldn’t be happier. It was not lost on him that, with women, his daughter really shined. She found familiarity in feminine things that he couldn’t provide.
She looked like every girly girl that ever existed with her curls piled high on her head, and her cheeks pink with a rosy blush. The lipstick had faded from her lips after drinks and snacks, but a stain remained to make her look as though she had been sucking on a popsicle.
“Arely, are you sure Gigi said you could have—”
“Yes,” his daughter rushed to interject, grabbing the mini Louis Vuitton backpack right out of his hands to clutch it to her chest. “She did, Daddy. I promise. It’s mine.”
“Oh, really?” he heard Gigi say to his far left.
He wasn’t trying to listen to her conversation. Especially when he had his kid to handle. Some habits were hard to break, though, and being aware of his surroundings was just one of those.
“Yeah, okay. I’ll see what I can do.”
“Arely, baby,” Lev said, chuckling as Gigi ended the call across the room, “I don’t think you understand how much this bag costs and—”
“Five thousand dollars,” Gigi said, her approaching footsteps gaining his attention and stare. She’d changed outfits too the second time she disappeared into her hotel suite’s massive walk-in closet with his kid to play another round of Arely the Model. Although, the cut off shirt and low-hanging sweats were probably more for comfort than style. Even if she did look like sin in it all the same. “It was also a gift from a popular florist in the city that wanted me to shout out her boxed arrangements while I was in town. The bag was … incentive. Trust me, Arely can keep it. Doesn’t she start kindergarten soon?”
“Next week, actually.”
“Five more days,” Arely put in, grinning a toothy smile.
Gigi smiled right back. “See. Let her use it for that.”
“Yeah, Daddy. For school.”
Like he hadn’t already bought her a bookbag for school. Not that it mattered because he was clearly losing this battle terribly. Lev sighed, giving Gigi a look from the side that had her grinning. “Killing me here. What happens when you start them this early on designer shit, huh? Don’t worry. I know exactly what happens.”
The collection only continued to grow. Because he would be expected to buy it.
Turned sideways where he leaned against the receptionist’s desk, he wasn’t looking her way but toward the front doors. Gigi was only staring at him and the way he filled out the leather jacket and dark-wash jeans. Fantastically, by the way. He filled them out fantastically. Right down to the black runners on his feet, one of which he tapped to the floor like he was bored.
Or maybe stuck in his head, thinking.
She was used to seeing him in dressier, more professional clothing. The laid-back style he currently wore was new but also not a bad thing. Not at all.
“Hey,” Gigi said when he finally noticed her approach from the side.
Standing to his full height, Lev pushed away from the desk to reach for her. Pulled into his tight hug before she could even get another word out, the crisp notes of his cologne pulled her into an entirely different place. One that felt like soft sheets, warm skin, and his dark tenor whispering wonderful, dirty things in her ear. Lev didn’t let her go right away, and she settled into his embrace, all too happy to tip her head back and take the kiss he offered despite the fact she knew people were probably watching.
Let them watch.
Fuck, everybody else already was.
“You could have said you wanted to know where I was because you wanted to stop by—I would have had someone down here to bring you up.”
Lev grinned a sexy sight, shrugging his broad shoulders. “I can’t stay long. What are you wearing?”
He held her out in his arms just far enough that he could take in the silk robe she had tied tight enough to keep any slips from happening.
“I was having a fitting,” she said, trying not to be defensive, but his cocked eyebrow made it hard. “And I’m working, getting a fitting. That’s what the robe is for; ten minutes ago, I was in nothing but white panties.”
That had Lev humming under his breath when he replied with interest, “That so?”
“Stop.”
“Just white panties? Are they still on? You wanna … open that robe up and show me?”
“Oh, my God.”
“And you’re gonna be walking in lingerie, right?”
“Lev.”
How this man could make her bashful, she didn’t know. He managed it, though.
Lev laughed deeply, his arm coming to rest snugly along her lower back when he said, “I’m just giving you a hard time. You make it too easy. And don’t worry, I’m not about to cause a scene. Besides, I’m just doing something that should have been done a week ago.”
“What?”
“Keep in mind, they’re only going to be as close as they need to be until … well, either you no longer need them or things blow over. Whichever comes first.”
She still didn’t know what Lev was talking about, but he didn’t make her wait to learn. Turning them both to face the entrance doors, her back stayed pressed against his chest when her gaze landed on something—or rather, someones—that hadn’t been standing outside the office building when she arrived earlier.
Four men.
All in black suits.
They stood with their backs to the doors while they looked out to the busy street ahead of them. From her position, she could see the wires behind each of their right ears. The same kind of spiral wire her security team used.
“Four enforcers from the Marcello famiglia, posted by Andino Marcello himself,” Lev explained quietly. “Mob detail, babe. They are dressed and will act appropriately as to not draw attention or seem out of place with your usual team, but they will not follow the same code of conduct when it comes to dealing with issues as your security will.”
She had a ton of questions.
A chill raced through her.
“My team probably won’t like—”
“They’re not going to have much of a choice, Gigi. I assure you.”
“Why do I need more—”
Lev’s heavy sigh quieted her, but he soothed away the anxiety starting to climb up her throat when he pressed a warm kiss to the spot behind her right ear. Lingering there, he murmured, “Because nothing is going to ruin these next two weeks for you, and we have enough of a reason to suspect someone might try to do exactly that.”
“You mean Jensen Todrey.”
“Or someone else. His little friend from Cali, or even the fucks they’re working with in the skin trade. Listen, I don’t want to get into details, but we’re digging into every possible avenue right now. They certainly had the media in a fit again, didn’t they?”
“But is that the only reason?”
Lev stiffened a bit behind her. “No.”
“What else is there?”
When he didn’t answer right away, Gigi turned in his arms. He didn’t stop her, and he met her gaze when she faced him again.
“Lev?”
His tongue peeked out to wet the edge of his bottom lip before he muttered, “Last week when the assholes showed up at Arely’s daycare, her enforcer was nowhere to be seen. He eventually showed up … dead in a ditch. The media wasn’t the only message we were sent last week. This is extra precaution right now, babe. That’s all.”
Jesus.
Lev could clearly see the panic Gigi couldn’t hide because his hands came up to cup her face and his lips found hers in a slow, sensual kiss. One she couldn’t help but answer back, once again lost to him and this strange thing growing between them.
“You focus on your thing,” he told her, the words a breath against her mouth, “and let us handle our side, okay?”
“Easier said than done.”
“But it will be done.” Then, Lev gave her another one of those toothy grins she loved so much when he asked, “And hey, what are you doing today, anyway? Or later?”
“Finishing this fitting. A dinner I can’t get out of but nothing after. Tomorrow I have an event, but the rest of the evening and night is all mine to do with what I want.”
“Yeah?”
His excitement had her laughing. “Yeah.”
“So, maybe I could … take you out?”
Gigi blinked. “Like on a date?”
“Surely we’ve got enough people around you now to keep any photogs at bay, right?”
“Well, don’t hold your breath.”
Lev barked out a laugh. “Fair enough. You up for it, though?”
“I am. What about Arely?”
“She keeps asking about you.”
Did she?
Why did that make Gigi’s heart skip a beat?
“I like her,” Gigi admitted.
“She likes you, too.” His smile stretched wider. “If you’re not doing anything tonight, then maybe me and her could—”
“Come to the hotel. Everything is kind of everywhere but hey … she’ll love it.”
Lev gave her a look, his brow dipping in confusion. “Do I even want to ask?”
“Probably not.”
After all, everything between them up until that point had been by the seat of their pants. They learned on the fly, right? She kind of liked it that way.
• • •
“It’s too big!”
“Now, just you wait one second here,” Gigi said, working the fabric of the wrap dress around and around Arely’s wiggling form. It was far too large for the girl, but for whatever reason—she was blaming the shimmery fabric—it was the one dress in the large closet of her hotel room that Arely just couldn’t say no to. A few more wraps, and a big bow at the back with the loose ends, and Gigi stepped back to admire her work. “See? Perfecto!”
Arely struck a pose with one little hand to her popped hip and another against her cheek as she kissed the air. “Pretty?”
“The most pretty.”
“Yes.” Arely pumped a small fist into the air. “Now we do the walk.”
Gigi laughed. “The catwalk, yep. Think you’re ready to show your dad?”
“He better like it.”
“I’m sure he will.”
Mostly.
She was sure Lev was gonna love the sight of his kid in a three-thousand-dollar dress that Gigi had turned into some hybrid romper. Topped off with bright pink lipstick, some blush, and even a wide-brimmed hat just because.
It was her idea to play dress up and model whatever look they came up with. Arely jumped at the chance, especially when she saw the closet full of things. Most of which probably wouldn’t follow Gigi back to her home in Milan, if that was where she decided to go after her work in New York concluded. At the moment, she didn’t know if she was leaving the states … or if she wanted to.
But that was a topic for another time.
“Wait, can I—the shoes, too!” Arely’s excitement came out in a rush as she pointed with all the ferocity she could muster at the sparkly, five-inch peep-toe pumps on the shelf to their left. The shoes had been a gift sent to Gigi from a friend the week before. She hadn’t even worn them yet. “I has to have shoes, Gigi.”
Gigi held back her smile, not wanting the girl to think she was making light of her seriousness, replying, “Well, obviously.”
Unfortunately, the shoes made walking just about entirely impossible for Arely. At least, not without the girl likely rolling her damn ankles. Gigi wasn’t going to have that. The quickest way to ruin the fun was by someone getting hurt.
Besides, she was pretty sure if she—even accidentally—hurt Lev’s kid, it would be the last time she ever saw the girl. And probably him, too. Maybe she was being a little dramatic but honestly, she wouldn’t blame the man. Clearly, it had been him and his kid for a long time. Lev was all Arely had when the rest of the world went away, and it was time to be tucked in at night. Even Gigi could see the absolute love between the two.
She pushed those thoughts aside to handle the overly excited little girl with very expensive shoes in her hand. Leading Arely out of the closet, she waited until they were just inside the suite’s bedroom door before taking the shoes back.
“Okay, we’ll put these on, but just to strike a pose and show your dad. Then, we’ve got to take them off, so they don’t hurt your feet.”
Arely sighed, her big blue eyes rolling at that. “My Auntie Nessa says beauty is pain.”
Gigi cocked a brow, almost impressed at the five-and-a-half-year-old’s confidence, but more concerned than anything. She was sure Nessa—who Gigi had yet to properly meet face to face beyond their first interaction years ago—hadn’t meant anything bad by saying the same type of thing that other women had been saying for decades. Thing was, that didn’t always make it right.
Kneeling down so the two of them were eye-level, Gigi rubbed away the little smudge of lipstick on Arely’s chin. How she even got lipstick there, Gigi didn’t know. “Hey, listen … nothing that makes us beautiful should hurt, you know? If it hurts, then it doesn’t feel good. And the best way to be beautiful is to feel beautiful inside first.”
Arely pursed her lips. “Yeah?”
Gigi shrugged. “Yeah.”
“Can I show my daddy now?”
“Absolutely.”
She helped Arely into the shoes, and then put her index finger to her lips, silently telling the girl to be quiet as she stepped out of the bedroom. Of course, making sure not to spoil the surprise by closing the door, leaving only a crack left, behind her.
Across the room, Lev was looking over the cart of food that room service had finally brought up. She only ordered it an hour ago. He shot her a curious look, and then the door to the bedroom, too.
“Where’s Arely?”
“Coming. Get your phone ready,” she told him. “You’re gonna want it.”
“Why?”
“You’ll see.”
That was all she was giving him. The rest was better experienced firsthand.
“Well?” Lev asked waving his phone. “Ready whenever you are.”
Gigi waved a hand his way. “Patience.”
“I’m ready!”
Arely’s muffled yell had Gigi laughing before she pulled open the bedroom door. There, already striking her pose and looking as cute as ever, was Arely.
“Next on the runway,” Gigi said, tossing Lev a wink and grin, “is Arley Arsov wearing the latest fashion, styled by Gigi Rey Parker.”
Arely grinned wide as Lev’s laughter coated the room. She heard the camera on his phone click at the same time he said, “What in the fuck is she wearing?”
“It’s pretty!” Nobody could glare like a little girl staring down her father from the other side of the room. “Right?”
“Beautiful,” she assured Arely. “Very avant-garde.”
Not that the girl would understand what Gigi meant by that. She wasn’t even sure Lev had explained to Arely what Gigi did for a living or why there had been photographers following them lately. Would he ever?
“The prettiest,” Lev was quick to add. “Obviously.”
Without warning, Arely kicked off the shoes. Gigi might have winced another time, knowing damn well the floor probably scuffed the heels. But the way the girl proceeded to strut across the room like she was on a runway had her laughing instead.
Lev, too. The smile he shot her way said he wasn’t mad about the outfit, makeup, or anything else. Besides, Arely’s smile was worth far more than some scuffed shoes and a wrinkled wrap dress. She had a feeling by the time the night was over, there would be a few more ruined shoes or dresses.
Gigi didn’t mind at all.
It was easier to focus on this and making Arely smile instead of the unknowns. Like the dead man Lev had mentioned. Yeah. Wasn’t like she could forget about that. She could, however, pretend for a little while.
Just like the camera had turned on, she would play her part. Except it wasn’t a camera—it was a smiling five-and-a-half-year-old ready to put on her next outfit to show off. Same difference, right?
TWENTY-TWO
“ARE YOU going to do a little strut for me, too?” Lev asked Gigi.
Too low for Arely to hear where she stood in front of a large mirror position directly across from the sitting room’s wall of windows. Checking out her poses in the reflection, she shot the mirror a kiss into the air in front of her.
“I could put on a little something to—”
The ringing of a phone stopped Gigi from saying anything more, making Lev groan when she tossed him a wink over her shoulder. It certainly wasn’t the right time for the two of them to be playing their games together what with his kid there, but he couldn’t help himself. Plus, he was keeping it clean.
Mostly.
“Give me a second, that’s the conference phone,” Gigi explained, heading through the open concept rooms to where a long table sat between the sitting area and the small kitchen on the other side. “The hotel uses it to call me. Same with security. And my team … yeah.”
He laughed under his breath. “Does it ever end?”
“Not really.”
Lev couldn’t even imagine.
“Daddy, I forgot, look at what Gigi gave me!”
Gigi answered the conference phone at the same time Arely came rushing over to his spot on the white leather sofa. He swore his kid didn’t know the meaning of quiet, but he tried to shush her all the same.
“Gigi here,” came the sweet voice from across the suite.
In his lap, however, Arely wasn’t having any of his efforts to keep her quiet when she shoved a mini backpack—mini for an adult, anyway—into his face. The supple leather of the bag was enough to tell him the backpack was pricey. The logo printed all over the item, including on the hardware of the bag, only confirmed his suspicions.
In her second outfit of the evening, a dress that was probably short as hell on Gigi but fell to the floor on his daughter, combined with a belt to keep it tight to her tiny waist, Arely couldn’t be happier. It was not lost on him that, with women, his daughter really shined. She found familiarity in feminine things that he couldn’t provide.
She looked like every girly girl that ever existed with her curls piled high on her head, and her cheeks pink with a rosy blush. The lipstick had faded from her lips after drinks and snacks, but a stain remained to make her look as though she had been sucking on a popsicle.
“Arely, are you sure Gigi said you could have—”
“Yes,” his daughter rushed to interject, grabbing the mini Louis Vuitton backpack right out of his hands to clutch it to her chest. “She did, Daddy. I promise. It’s mine.”
“Oh, really?” he heard Gigi say to his far left.
He wasn’t trying to listen to her conversation. Especially when he had his kid to handle. Some habits were hard to break, though, and being aware of his surroundings was just one of those.
“Yeah, okay. I’ll see what I can do.”
“Arely, baby,” Lev said, chuckling as Gigi ended the call across the room, “I don’t think you understand how much this bag costs and—”
“Five thousand dollars,” Gigi said, her approaching footsteps gaining his attention and stare. She’d changed outfits too the second time she disappeared into her hotel suite’s massive walk-in closet with his kid to play another round of Arely the Model. Although, the cut off shirt and low-hanging sweats were probably more for comfort than style. Even if she did look like sin in it all the same. “It was also a gift from a popular florist in the city that wanted me to shout out her boxed arrangements while I was in town. The bag was … incentive. Trust me, Arely can keep it. Doesn’t she start kindergarten soon?”
“Next week, actually.”
“Five more days,” Arely put in, grinning a toothy smile.
Gigi smiled right back. “See. Let her use it for that.”
“Yeah, Daddy. For school.”
Like he hadn’t already bought her a bookbag for school. Not that it mattered because he was clearly losing this battle terribly. Lev sighed, giving Gigi a look from the side that had her grinning. “Killing me here. What happens when you start them this early on designer shit, huh? Don’t worry. I know exactly what happens.”
The collection only continued to grow. Because he would be expected to buy it.
