Now she was without her sweater and Patrizio couldn’t stop staring at her breasts. His gaze continually went to her, his mouth open, leering. He’d used the excuse of coffee to call her to him. Like a servant. Disrespectful. It would take Alonzo approximately three seconds to kill him. He mapped it out in his mind. He’d move with his leopard’s speed, snapping the man’s neck and then drawing his weapon as he let go of the dead body. He’d kill all four guards and immediately turn and put a bullet in Emilio’s head. He’d have to. Emilio had arranged this meeting, insisting it be held at the bakery. There was a reason for that and it left Evangeline in danger.

Emilio’s guards would retaliate. Alonzo would have to get Evangeline out of the line of fire fast, which meant forcing her to the ground. Timur would take Emilio’s guards, and Gorya would head out to the parking lot to do the drivers of both crime bosses. Then there would be the cleanup . . .

Evangeline moved toward them, her hips swaying in invitation, something she couldn’t help. She looked sexy, alluring, her skin almost glowing. Alonzo imagined he could see her nipples pushing against the soft material of her camisole. She was covered, but it didn’t matter. There was no missing the fact that she had high, firm breasts, soft and sensual, a constant temptation to a man—and Patrizio was tempted.

She stepped in between Alonzo and Patrizio to pour the coffee. At once his leopard purred, moving toward the surface to get close to her. Her scent enveloped him. She always smelled of cinnamon and spice. The combination was heady. Irresistible. It was both sensual and soothing to Alonzo and he found himself leaning toward her—close enough—so that the heat of her body touched the frozen ice inside of him.

Patrizio shifted, a slight, furtive movement that was barely perceptible, but Alonzo’s leopard roared and he reached out just as the crime boss tried to slap Evangeline’s round ass, cupped so lovingly in her soft jeans. The sound of Patrizio’s hand hitting Alonzo’s arm was loud in the silence of the room. Alonzo was already on his feet, moving with blurring speed, yanking Evangeline behind him, coffeepot and all. He let go of her to reach for Patrizio, counting the seconds in his head, his movements already practiced and smooth.

The instant Patrizio tried to touch Evangeline, Alonzo’s leopard roared for blood. Alonzo was already on the move, even before his leopard had time to react, something that had never happened before in his life. His beast rose to the surface, fury driving it, even as he started toward the crime boss with his blurring speed.