Page 27 of Burning Your Lies

Rowan is dressed in an all black suit to match his club. When he spots me, he approaches us with open arms and a grin. “The elusive Xavier Rivers is here! How lucky am I?”

I shake his hand. “Good to see you again, Rowan.”

His eyes flick to the small crowd behind me. His dull eyes brighten at the sight of the married couple. Ray keeps his eyes on Savannah while she meets Rowan’s stare.

My arm wraps around Brynn’s waist, and I break the tension. “This is Brynn.”

Her doll-like eyes can melt any man that meets them. “Your club is beautiful.”

Tearing his eyes away from Savannah, he smiles at my date. “I know.” He kisses the back of her hand. I don’t like the look on his face, but Ihatethe way he’s looking at Savannah.

Her red lips curl into a smile. “Savannah.”

“Savannah,” he echoes. “Rowan Ashford.”

Ray pulls her into him, drawing Rowan’s attention to him. He doesn’t offer an introduction.

But he doesn’t need to. Rowan’s eyes darken as he stares at him. “Huxley Ray.” He laughs and turns his attention back to Savannah. “I see you don’t wear a ring.”

Her gaze flickers to me. “I don’t really care for diamonds.”

Rowan looks between the two of us and then bursts into a laugh. “Interesting.”

“Maybe you can lend me one of yours. You have plenty.” She points at his hands, where most of his fingers are wrapped in silver.

Like a moth drawn to a flame, he steps closer to her. “I will happily give you one of mine, but it would mean you belong to me.”

Ray comes between them. “Back the fuck off.”

Rowan peers up at him and grins, but the haughty look in his eyes makes it known he doesn’t appreciate the threat. “Savannah, my darling, how about I buy you a drink?”

Her hand wraps around Ray’s bicep, pulling him back to Earth. “A drink would be lovely. Thank you.” She shares one last look with her husband before we all follow Rowan to a secluded booth.

He calls a waiter over and orders us the night’s special cocktail. “I hope you’ve all got a stomach of steel.”

“Why Basileus?” Brynn asks.

“It translates to monarch. A ruler.” His eyes are back on Savannah. “Fitting name for a king, no?”

She smirks. “You think of yourself as a king?”

He leans back in his seat and crosses his legs. “What else do you call a multi-millionaire who started from nothing?”

When the drinks are placed in front of us, she sips it without wincing. “I think it depends how you made your money.”

He too takes a sip of his drink. “I’ve done it all,” he brags. “Boxing, security, investments, pharmaceuticals, cars,” he gestures to the room, “and the famous clubs.”

She wears a calculating expression. “I guess you’re a jack of all trades. I should congratulate you then,Basileus.”

“Every monarch needs a queen. Are you interested?”

Like a physical bond between us, she’s looking at me. “I’ve retired from being queen. It’s not worth the trouble.”

Her words wound me, but I keep my smile intact. “If I find you a queen, does that earn me your signature on XR stationery?”

Rowan smirks at me. “I think Mr Huxley Ray is the man for the job. He knows the type of woman I’m after.”

Ray looks unbothered by the entire ordeal. “I’m not a matchmaker.”

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