Page 61 of Red

“It’s fine.” Erik cleared his throat and took a seat at the table beside Peter. “What is the show tonight?”

“Master Clintock is a sensual sadist. My security officer authorized the scene. I’m not entirely sure what he’s up to this evening,” Peter replied. “You did explain to your wife what she’d be seeing tonight, right?”

“She won’t be shocked,” Erik said, dragging his attention back to Peter again. Maybe bringing her had been a mistake. Too big a distraction when he was making such a large deal.

“I read the proposal you sent over. Are you sure you’re going to be able to keep the casino clean?” Peter went straight to meat of the issue.

“All of my uncle’s business dealings died with him. I have no ties and will have no ties to anything he touched. The Red Hood is going to be a hotel and casino, 100 percent legit,” Erik assured him.

“This part of town has been on the decline for over a decade. I’m trying to rebuild it.” Peter told Erik what he already knew.

He’d made offers on all the real estate within four square blocks in order to do it, too.

“We have the same goal, then.” Erik leaned back in his chair. “My father’s family grew up in this area. He would want it rebuilt like it was when he was a kid.”

Peter nodded. “I’m glad to hear it. When do you plan to break ground?”

“Once we close on the property, we’ll start construction within a month. I have the contracts all lined up.”

“And the workers?” Peter’s eyebrows rose.

“All local builders from this area. Uncorrupt as far as I know. But I’ll be watching the project carefully.”

“If my uncle was alive to see what I’ve built, what you’re going to build, he’d probably die of another heart attack.” Peter laughed. It was no secret how Peter and his cousin Ash felt about the old man. Samuel Titon had been cruel and vicious. The world was a better place without him.

“My uncle would probably have me killed if he were alive to see his money being put into a legitimate business,” Erik agreed, his gaze wandering over to Melinda.

She sipped her wine, but her eyes flicked over to him. A soft blush covered her cheeks before she looked away.

“How is it really going with your new wife?” Peter asked, dragging him back to the conversation.

“It’s fine. She’s adjusting.”

Peter laughed. “I’m not sure they are the ones who do the adjusting.”

The lights dimmed over the main floor.

“The show’s starting,” Azalea said.

Peter stood and checked his watch. “Dinner will be up after the show.”

Melinda scooted along the wall to the corner, giving Azalea and Peter room to stand beside each other with space between them. Erik came to stand behind her.

“Enjoying the wine?” he asked, taking the empty glass from her hand.

“It’s good.”

He placed the glass on the table. “You worked all afternoon. I thought you would have taken a longer nap.” He trailed his fingers over her graceful neck. She’d stuffed her hair into a complicated updo, exposing the creamy flesh. He could easily forgive her for not leaving it down. It gave him better access to the tender spot behind her earlobe.

“I wanted to finish it.”

“Ah.” The spotlights turned on the main stage, and Erik dropped his hand to rest on her hip.

Master Clintock walked on stage, eliciting a hush over the crowd. The loud house music was switched out for a softer melody while a beautiful woman in a purple satin robe joined him. She stood beside the St. Andrew’s cross and let the robe slip from her shoulders and pool to the floor.

A stagehand appeared from behind her and snatched the material, while two more men held her wrists up to the restraints. Master Clintock busied himself at a small table, inspecting his toys while the stagehands bound his playmate to the cross.

“He should be doing that, not them,” Melinda whispered, though Erik didn’t think she meant for him to hear it. He agreed with her, though. Settling her into the binds himself would increase the pleasure for both of them. Rendering her helpless against him set the stage.

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