Page 105 of Menage a Passions

Becca was fine with returning to the VIP room.I’d rather be with friends than deal with drama.And she’d rather sit inCaitlyn’s lap, their friends giving them a hard time for the PDA in a place that more than allowed it.

This is the fucking life.

From the way Caitlyn kissed her, the notion was mutual.

JANE

She wasn’t one to usually stick her nose in this business, but she not only had some finances tied up in the success of Damon’s new venture… but the one staring her in the face.

“Ms. Wong.” Monica did not remove her vintage fur coat as she stepped deeper into the club. “Please don’t tell me that Damon sent you to deal with me.”

“Oh, please. Despite some of the rumors, I’m not exactly his lackey.Eugh.” Jane was aware that she was the first to approach Monica, who couldnothave been on the guest list. Not because the Monroes had blacklisted her, but because the assumption was there that she wanted nothing to do with this. “I doubt he’ll even know you’re here for another minute.”

“If you don’t mind, I would love to talk to him for a bit.”

“Uh, well…”

“I’m not here to start trouble. I’m here to congratulate him and Alice on another successful venture that will only serve to make me more money as well. As you said a few months ago…” She side-eyed someone giving her a dirty look. “The success of one of us begets success of the other.”

“Alice is not present tonight,” Jane informed her. “Something about bed rest.”

“How unfortunate. Something I certainly do not wish on anyone.”

A hostess with an air of authority approached them. “Mrs. Warren,” she said with a terse tone. “Please come this way.”

Jane wasn’t about to miss this for the world. She waved to Lucas, gesturing that they would catch up later, but right now she was heading back to the primary VIP room where Damon supposedly still hung out with his closest friends.

Monica was not one of those people, but he had something to settle with her as well.

I can only imagine what’s been going on since that incident at the school.All Jane had learned was that Clarise was seeing a new therapist, with the prevailing theory being that stress around two new siblings in only three years and the ongoing rivalry between her parents and the Warrens was spilling over at school. Nobody could ascertain whether Abigail Warren was bullying Clarise in any way or if something stranger was afoot.

Not that it was any of Jane’s business. This was just the knowledge she picked up after getting to know certain people so well for so long.And, well, I’m sort of a parent myself now.Cecelia was out with her latest boyfriend that night. All the more reason for Jane to go party.

Wasn’t it interesting how quickly this turn of events sobered her up?

“Not your lackey,” she said to Damon when she entered the room, where the hostess was already clearing out everyone else. “Just remember that, huh?”

He looked at her as if he expected her to leave.

“It’s fine. She can stay.” Monica sat on the edge of a seat while the hostess closed the VIP room door. It didn’t do much to muffle the sounds of the party in the penthouse. “I would say that I am sorry for crashing your soiree, Mr. Monroe, but I am not. I think you know that I have my reasons to be here, despite any differences we might have in business… and our lives.”

“Indeed.” Damon glanced at Jane. “Would you mind getting Mrs. Warren a Manhattan? I believe that is her favorite drink.”

Normally, Jane would balk at being asked to make one of his guests a drink, but she saw this for what it was.My ability to stay here and listen in.Well! If the fancy Lady Warren wanted a Manhattan, Jane would find the nearest bottles of whiskey and vermouths. She made no promises about the quality of the pour, though. She was more of a standalone bourbon woman.Fuck it, I am pouring myself a bourbon Manhattan.

“You’re too kind,” Monica said as Jane found a clean glass at the wet bar. “I trust that your family is doing well? How is Clarise these days?”

“My daughter is adjusting well enough to her new routine at school. Alice is on bed rest until our second son arrives, and the boy is… well, he’s a toddler. He’s healthy, which is what I ask for.” He turned it back on Monica. “How is Abigail?”

Jane definitely noticed that they used the names of each other’s children.I barely remember their names.The only reason she knew the name of Damon’s oldest son was because he was a Junior.

She brought Monica her drink the moment she responded. “My daughter remains the brightest light in my life. I am pleased to say that she does not have any qualms about her schooling at the moment.” If that was her way of saying,“Your daughter isn’t punching her, and this is an improvement,”then Jane supposed everyone considered that a win.

“Now that we have the pleasantries out of the way…” Damon said nothing as Jane leaned against the wet bar with her bourbon-based Manhattan, careful to not stain her trousers. “Why are you here, Monica? You didn’t pick the launch party of my new enterprise by accident. Much like I know you’ve been keeping a close eye on this place, much like I’ve kept my eyes on you.”

“I’ve known about this since you bought the property from The Boyle Group, but nothing is surprising about that. No… the reason I’m here is because I wanted to see it for myself. And because I have a proposal for you.”

Damon glanced at Jane again, keeping his knowing smile in check. The reason the third wheel hadn’t been kicked out would soon be revealed.

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