Page 55 of Forced Union

My lips are sealed.

Arianna

Thank you.

I relax back against the soaking tub and sigh. I love my little sister. It’s just sometimes she’s a bit dramatic.

My phone pings again, but this time it’s Tarina asking me to call her. I immediately dial her number.

“Arianna, I’m sorry to bother you on a Sunday, but Mr. Hyde has changed the design of two whole rooms, and I’m scrambling to get us back on the timeline with these changes. Can you come to the club today so we can walk through this?” She heaves a sigh. “He’s such a pain in my ass.”

I smile at her exasperated tone. This isn’t the first time Mr. Hyde has swept in and shifted the function of a room once the layout and design was all set. I’m starting to suspect he enjoys flustering Tarina.

“Yes, I can come in. See you in an hour.”

“You’re a Godsend, Arianna.” She hangs up.

I text Maks to tell him we’re going out. Then I ease out of the tub. It’s time to get back to work.

“Just so you know,” Maks says. “Leonidas is the only place you’re allowed to go outside of the estate. Dimitri’s orders. He wants you straight back home after work.”

“I’m well aware.” I wave him off as we enter the building. Leonidas Gentleman’s Club probably has one of the best security systems on the planet. They have to, given who their members are, and the type of security they need, without each person who enters here having to bring their own bodyguard.

Maks settles into a chair in the foyer. He likes to people watch.

I head up to Tarina’s office, finding her and Ben working together. She shakes her head at him. “I want elegant and lavish, Ben, not tacky.”

He frowns at his laptop screen. “Fine. I’ll find something else.”

“What can I help with?” I ask, setting down my purse.

Ben glances up, shooting me an annoyed look, like he blames me for his poor design choices. Honestly, I don’t know why Tarina keeps him around.

“Let’s walk,” Tarina says to me, and I follow her through the hall. “This room was going to be the gambling den, but Mr. Hyde wants to make it a speakeasy instead. Which means the gambling has to move to the East wing. So…” She fills me in on all the change orders and how to work with it all given our current timeline.

I need to order some additional supplies to pull off the speakeasy vibe, and the room layout will alter slightly.

As we head to the East wing to take a look at the new space we’ll be working with, I spot Maks disappearing up a staircase. Isn’t he supposed to be waiting for me in the foyer? What is he doing this far into the club? He’s not a member. How did he get access?

I slow down and pat my trouser pockets. “You know what, I left something in your office. You go ahead, I’ll catch up with you.”

Tarina glances back at me, giving a curt nod. “Be quick about it. I’ll start sketching out the layout for that room.”

“I will.”

She turns a corner, and I dart for the staircase that Maks ascended. At the top is a long hallway with doors along both sides. I believe these are private rooms. Frustratingly, I have no idea which one Maks entered.

Then I hear it, his distinct low rumble with that Russian accent. I step closer to the sound and press my ear to the door. There’s two men on the other side having a conversation, but I can’t make out their words.

Who could Maks possibly know at Leonidas?

The club is secure, discreet, the perfect place to meet with someone. But who, and why? It’s really none of my business, I realize that, but Maks acts so strangely every time we’re here. Like he’s hiding something.

Heavy footfalls approach the door. I jerk back, frantically looking for a place to hide.

The handle turns.

I sprint up the stairs to the third floor, just as the door opens and Maks steps out. Crouched against the banister, I peek down. Maks shoves a thick envelope into his breast pocket, glancing up and down the hall. Then he descends the stairs to the main level.

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