Page 40 of Neverland

“To new deals, future partnerships and acquaintances,” Sol cheered.

We clinked and drank, straight tequila burning my throat on its way down. This was the last thing I needed.

“So, what made an exotic club owner like you get into illegal arms dealing?” Charles inquired.

Illegal arms dealing?

This was why we were here?

So he could make himself even more dangerous?

“I own many businesses,” Dominic said, taking a seat. “But I have many patrons of the club who are… elite, and they have particular tastes.”

“A one-stop shop, hey?” Sol asked.

“They ask, I provide. More money in my wallet.”

“You know the Croats won’t be happy with this,” Xavier warned. He sounded much younger compared to Sol and Charles, but he carried an air of authority. “The Croats have traded on that turf for years now. And we’ve supplied them with all the military grade arsenal we’ve got. If they find out we’re now supplying you, you can expect some form of retribution. A showdown even.”

“I know the Croats personally. My father has had many dealings with them over the years. And yes, they’ll be pissed, but if I cared about retribution I wouldn’t have even an eighth of the fortune I have now. As you would know, complacency doesn’t belong in this game.”

“You got balls, Dominic Salvatore. But I’m not sure we’re prepared to lose one of our biggest clients for someone who’s just starting out.”

Dominic inhaled sharply. “I might be new, but our clients are different. The Croats trade with fellow Croats and use their weapons in crime. My clients fly in from all over the world, from the Middle East to Asia, and they’re simply needing something more sophisticated than what the local hood rats can offer. They have the money to spend, I need the product to sell.”

“Once you’re in, there’s no out,” Xavier warned. “And we can’t protect you from the Croats.”

“I’m not scared of Luka Bastijanic. I’ll ring and tell him myself.”

For a moment, no one said a word, and although I couldn’t see their expressions, there was a definite mood shift in the room.

Dominic noticed.

“Perhaps we should lighten the mood a little,” he said with a jovial tone I knew to be a lie. He turned to me. “Diamond, how about you give Xavier a little attention. He’s looking rather… stressed.”

The men chuckled but it wasn’t with humor. Something had put them on edge and it had happened within the blink of an eye.

“I’m fine,” Xavier replied, curtly.

“Oh, come on,” Dominic cajoled. “Diamond’s been with me from a tender age. She’s very experienced.” When the man didn’t answer, Dominic ushered me into action. “Go.”

Sliding my glass onto the table, I stood too quickly, resulting a blood rush. I swayed, Dominic positioning his leg behind to stable me. The men silently watched, no doubt wondering why I appeared so high, but when Dominic cleared his throat, both Charles and Sol joined him at the bar, leaving me alone with Xavier. I stood with my legs either side of his, and bending at the waist, I wrapped my arms around his neck. His scent was intoxicating, a mix of sweet and spicy. It almost had me weak at the knees.

Cheek to cheek, I whispered into his ear, “What can I do for you?”

He breathed me in, his light beard deliciously tingling my skin. It was a feeling so unfamiliar, having always been deprived of it. “You don’t have to do anything for me,” he said, in a low rumble. “Let’s just talk and have a drink.”

The pleasure evaporated. “I have to.”

“Baby, I can see you’re high on something—”

“You don’t have to enjoy it, but I have to dance for you, please.”

Xavier chuckled. “It’s not that I wouldn’t enjoy it. Of course, I would. I’d just like to have more respect for you, that’s all.” My obvious anxiety seemed to raise questions. “Dominic Salvatore a bit of a tyrant, is he?”

Blaze’s beautiful face haunted me when I closed my eyes, a tear slipping down my cheek that met Xavier’s.

“Shh,” he whispered, his hand sliding to the base of my neck. “It’s okay. I’ll play along, but don’t cry.”

---