Page 109 of Where the Wicked Reign

“Missed me, huh?” I asked in a teasing tone, wanting to lighten the mood and the intensity. I’d have enough of intensity in the worst ways when I arrived at my father’s house.

“Yeah, we were growing closer, and I liked where it was heading,” he answered, seriously, instead of bringing the levity and jokes like he was known for doing. “I hope this time apart from us hasn’t altered that for you.”

“It hasn’t,” I assured him. “And after tonight, there’ll be no more distance anyway, right?”

“We didn’t want it like this. Especially Nico. He hates that this is the reality. But, I guess, if this marriage thing hadn’t come about, it wouldn’t have brought us fully into each other’s lives, right?”

“Good point.”

He smiled. “Try to enjoy yourself tonight. Let the rest go for now. This is your night, your moment.” He settled against the wall beside me. “I might have something else for you to look forward to. I’ve had it in mind for a while, but I needed a partner, somebody with your experience in the club field.”

“You own a private lifestyle club.”

“That’s different from running an actual nightclub. Something you’re very familiar with and something you shine at.”

“You want to open one and need some advice?”

“No. I want to open a new hotel that will become a flagship and boast one hell of a nightclub, too. I heard you mentioning expansion and this could be a good step. I’d like us to partner together on it. With your client base and mine from the hotelier game, this could be massive.” He lowered his voice. “And, for me, something the Marchetti Syndicate won’t have their claws in.”

Before I could get a word out, he went on, “I envision it developing beyond a club too, an expansive entertainment venue for all tastes. It would be an entertainment mega-hub.”

I arched an eyebrow. “That’s certainly ambitious.”

“Right up your alley, huh?”

He had me grinning as excitement bloomed. “You’re coming to know me well.”

“That I am.” He lifted a shoulder. “It helps that I have a gift for reading people, too.”

“Send me an information packet, some specs, and we’ll talk.”

“Yeah?”

I nodded. “Definitely.”

He gestured at the smile that had spread over my face. “Told you, something to look forward to.”

“Do you have a location in mind?”

“Two possibilities, depending on where you’re at.”

I cocked an eyebrow.

He leaned in and whispered in my ear, “One option is outside the city. Far outside, darlin’.”

Was he talking about doing this covertly? Without the three families’ knowledge at all? Like a sort of backup if things went to shit here with the coming war we were going to wage?

Before I could ask, a shadow fell over us.

I turned to see Angelo Simone suddenly there.

His gaze flicked to me briefly, making me shudder in revulsion as he basically eye-fucked me in my turquoise sequin mermaid gown. Even though Julian had looked me over, it hadn’t been so sleazy like this was.

I involuntarily fingered my necklace, the one that Nico had gifted me which had matched perfectly with this outfit for the Tolhurst Annual Business Forum extravaganza tonight.

He glared hostilely at Julian, who was still leaning in close to me from whispering a moment ago. “She’s betrothed, fucker. Step back.”

Julian chortled. “Betrothed? What century are you living in?” He pushed it further, clearly picking up on the same sleazy vibe with Angelo as I was, as I always had, telling him, “Besides, I don’t see a ring on her finger.”

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