Page 28 of Coerced Queen

I grab a cookie and bite into it.Ouch.Still hot.

“You are?”I ask around the cookie in my mouth.

Yum.

Saverio’s voice reaches us from down the hallway.“Goddammit.”A thud follows that sounds like something hitting the wall.“Motherfucking fuck.”

It’s loud, even from behind the closed door of his study.

Livy sighs.“Physiotherapy.”

Concern tightens my chest.“Has it been like this the whole time?”

“Since he started at seven.”She gives me a meaningful look.“I think he can do with a little space.”

Understanding dawns.“Ah.”Hence coming with me to After Dark.

I often take Claire with me.It’s easier for the logistics of breastfeeding.She sleeps in the baby carrier that attaches to her stroller while I work.Dante’s had the privilege of pushing her up and down the hallway when I battle to get her to settle, but she’s mostly an easy baby who only cries when she’s hungry, tired, or when her diaper is wet.

We walk into the club just after eight with me carrying Claire and Livy charged with my laptop and the diaper bag.

Dante, who sits at the bar counter with a cup of coffee in front of him, gets to his feet.

He doesn’t quite succeed in hiding his smile when he looks at Livy.“Wow, Liv.Are you going on a date?”

“I’ll take that as a compliment.”Unceremoniously shoving my bags into his arms, she asks, “Where do you want me?”

“Huh?”Dante gives her a panty-dropping smile.“Did I miss the invite?You should’ve told me I was your plus-one.I would’ve worn my special aftershave.”

She pokes him on the shoulder.“I’m here to work, wiseass, not to entertain you with my delightful company.”

He sneaks a mischievous wink my way before saying, “We’re short on bar staff.”

Surprising both Dante and me, she goes behind the bar counter and grabs a dishcloth from the stash that she eloquently drapes over her shoulder.“Count me in.I’ve always wanted to serve cocktails with names that sound like sex to gorgeous men and beautiful women.”

Dante and I share a look.

“I just need someone to point me toward the recipes for the mixes,” she says with her hands propped on her hips.

“I’ll get the barman to show you,” Dante says.“We’re catering for a business lunch meeting today.”

“Can’t wait,” she says, flashing him a glossy, red smile.“What if there’s trouble?”

Dante frowns.“Trouble?”

I enjoy the show too much to help Dante out of his misery.Instead, I watch from the sidelines, not feeling one bit sorry for dumping him in hot oil and leaving him there to fry to a crisp.

“You know,” Livy says.“Bar brawls and that kind of trouble.”

Dante’s lips quirk.“If anyone gives you shit, Liv, don’t hesitate to call a bouncer.”

She perks up at that.“Those guys with the muscles dressed in the tight black shirts and crotch-hugging jeans?”Rolling her eyes toward the ceiling, she sighs.“God, I hope there’s a fight.”

Chuckling at that, I leave her to figure out how to run the bar and mix high-end drinks while I install myself in the office.

I park the stroller next to my desk and get to work.

“She’s something else,” Dante says when he walks in some time later.“I was just fooling with her about working behind the bar.Didn’t think for one minute she’d do it.”

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