Page 17 of King of Deception

“Why? This is clearly a mistake.”

“Your initials on a ten-thousand-dollar antique? That would be the most expensive mistake in invitation history!”

I scoffed, shaking my head. “You can take it. I don’t care.” I stared inside my glass, watching the red beverage seep to my lips.

“Are you fucking kidding me right now? It’s the weekend. You have nothing planned. You’re bummed about Jude and what he did to your job, right?”

“So?”

“So, uh—” He let out a frustrated sigh, throwing his weight down on the couch. “Go! Get drunk… pick up a dude… pretend you’re someone else. Whatever, Ella! Do you know how many people would kill to go to that thing?”

Tilting my head, I shot him a berating glare. “I thought you couldn’t remember what it was.”

“I don’t,” he nodded in confirmation. “But now that I think about it? I must’ve heard of it when they announced that a couple of billionaires were teaming up for a new entertainment venture.”

Deeply exhaling, I stared at my friend as he picked up his glass. “I’m just worried it’s an ambush and that I’d find Jude there.”

“Jude schmude!” He lifted up the glass to his lips, staring at me from over the rim. “If you don’t use this invitation, then I most definitely will.”

six

Lucid

Abel

After finishing Sunday morning breakfast with my father out in the garden, he picked up his newspaper and rolled it in his hand. “Well, I better go before they start looking for me inside the sandtraps,” he chuckled.

“Golf with uncle Danny?”

“Better,” he winked. “Senator Ramsey.”

“Oh, say hello.”

“I will.”

“And please remind Adele to call me, huh? I’d like to talk to her about Toby.”

Rolling his eyes, he made his way around the chair. “Save your breath. You’d be barking up the wrong tree.”

“Someone’s gotta knock some sense into her. The ink hasn’t even dried on his divorce papers.”

“Well, she’ll give you the whole ‘adult, independent woman’ speech.”

“If she doesn’t call me, I’ll call her.”

Shrugging, he slowly walked toward the door. “Suit yourself.” He turned around before glancing over his shoulder, “Oh, and good luck tonight.”

“Thanks, dad.”

Taking off my shirt, I jumped into the pool, letting the warm water wash over me. I wasn’t concerned about the club opening tonight. After all, I was used to it all. It wasn’t the first venue my company had invested in, and I trusted the planning agency and my partners. The party was going to be near perfect. The only thing that would earn the night a stellar rating would be if Ella Rose actually showed up.

As I swam aimlessly forward, I imagined her stepping into the elegant event in a silver dress that made her eyes glow, wearing her hair down and maybe a pair of dangling earrings. Diamonds. That woman should certainly wear diamonds.

Getting out of the water, I felt the warm breeze tickle my wet skin as the pool water dripped onto the floor. I picked up a towel and dried my hands before grabbing the phone, swiping across to call the event manager.

“Hey, boss. Everything is going according to schedule.”

“I’m not worried about that. But I’d like to have a meeting with the crew at eight.”

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