Page 22 of Ruled By Wizard

“Intentionally or unconsciously?” he asked, curious to understand her better.

“Unconsciously.”

“That’s interesting.”

“How is that interesting?” Natalia asked as if she didn’t care about his answer. Her gaze had shifted to someone beside him.

Following her attention, Wizard saw she was looking at one of the newcomers Doom had asked to become a prospect.

Turning back to her, he answered, “Would you say you take after your father or mother?”

“Neither.”

“Your father must have made an impression on you for Italian to become the language you switch to when you’re upset.”

“I won’t deny that our relationship isn’t the best.”

“I imagine get-togethers are a hoot.” Her unemotional response to his questions fueled his interest. “How often do you see him?”

“I don’t.”

“He doesn’t come to the States to visit you?”

“No, he hasn’t stepped foot in the States since he left my mom.”

“You don’t go visit him?”

“No.”

The fact that Natalia was revealing so much shocked him. “Why not?”

“Because I hate his guts,” she answered without expression. “Since I’ve answered your questions, do you mind answering one for me?”

Removing his arm from the back of the booth, Wizard prepared to be equally forthcoming. He was pleased that she was showing an interest in him, although her attention remained fixed on the prospect. “What do you want to know?”

“What’s the name of the guy wearing the T-shirt that says, ‘When in doubt, push the off button’?”

CHAPTER 8

WALK AWAY

Wizard felt the wind go out of his sails at Natalia’s interest in the prospect she couldn’t take her eyes off.

“I don’t know. I don’t bother learning their names until I know they’ll stick around.”

After taking a drink of her beer, she set it down and began scooting closer to him. “Do you mind letting me out? I’ll go find out for both of us.”

Wizard straightened from his relaxed pose, easily recognizing the way Natalia was looking at the prospect. He was used to women looking at him that way.

“If you want to know so badly, I’ll ask.”

Natalia gave him a beguiling smile, her attention still focused on the prospect. “But then I wouldn’t be able to get better acquainted with him.” She put a hand on Wizard’s arm and gave him a light push. “Excuse me.”

Left with no choice, he slid out of the booth to let her pass.

Once she was standing, she paused to frown down at him. “Unless I shouldn’t because I’m not a member of the club?”

His eyes pierced hers. Was she serious? From where he was sitting, the fucker she was focused on seemed as lame as Daffy Duck. The only thing Wizard knew about him was that Doom wanted him badly as their new computer specialist. He was so good that Doom had suggested they might have to let him into the club without making him fight the original members, or at least take it easy on him.