“You can’t just lay this on me and expect me to jump to the next topic without resolving this.”
“I’m pressed for time, and this is one subject that requires more attention.” He gripped the sides of the counter and leaned in. “Besides, don’t you think this conversation would be better held once you know what your father wants?”
I ground my teeth until my jaw hurt, refusing to look at him like a petulant child. “Fine.”
Did I want to admit he had a point? No, I didn’t… not aloud at least.
“The um…” I cleared my throat and readjusted my position on the stool. “The sex club. I was going to get in there—”
“Are you talking about Exhibition?” Nico asked.
“Yeah. Adams goes there.”
“You can’t get in alone unless you are a member. It's a couples-only entrance for non-members.”
“Why?”
“The key is in the name, my naïvebella.”
“Psst.” I glared at Max. “I know what it means. I got off on it last night.”
“Jesus, Charity,” Nico said, smirking.
“What?”
He shook his head and looked away.
“What?” I said a little louder with a hint of laughter.
“Can we stay on topic, please?”
I huffed. “Whatever. I was planning on getting into Exhibition and getting him alone.”
“You won’t get him alone there,” Max said.
“And you would know?” I peeked around Nico to get a glimpse of Max.
“Yeah. I used to go there.”
A smile crept across my face. “Oh, really?”
“Focus,” Luca said.
“All fun and no play makes you annoying.”
I crossed my arms across my chest, mocking a pout.
“A dull boy,” Luca corrected
Shaking my head, I pulled my plate back in front of me. My appetite rushed back at me as the mood lightened. “No. You’re neither dull nor a boy. Just annoying.”
Max cracked up as I took a bite of my bagel, then grinned with my lips closed.
I dropped the bagel back on my plate and wiped my hands free of the crumbs.
“Listen, if I can’t get him alone in the club, I’ll have him take me home. I can do it at his house. Make it look like there was political motivation or suicide.”
“Again, you’re missing the fact that you cannot go in there alone,” Luca said.