Page 60 of Brutal King

“No need for flattery,” she says. “Just money.”

“Send Scarlet the invoice.”

I find Sofia lounging on the new couch that was just brought in last night. Unfortunately, the blood stain couldn’t be removed from the other one. As much as I love the reminder that I was the first man to ever touch her, she avoided it. Not wanting to make her world smaller, I decided to replace it.

“You approve?” I ask her.

She glances up from one of the books she pilfered from the library. “It’s comfortable enough, though the leather is chilly.”

“It’s also wipes clean, if we were to make another mess.”

Her cheeks flush at my suggestion that I’ll fuck her here again. “Are you going somewhere?” she asks, pointing at the small luggage by my side.

“For two nights, three at most. Business.”

“Not in New York, I hope.” The worry in her gaze is palpable.

“In Philadelphia.”

“Ferryman business?”

“It’s all Ferryman business, Sofia. But I promised not to go after your brother.”

“As long as I keep you entertained,” she retorts.

“You have no reason to worry. You keep meveryentertained. I promise.” I smile and lean down to capture her lips in a slow good-bye. She doesn’t turn or avoid my kiss. To my delight, she parts her lips in invitation for my tongue. I slide it across hers, tasting her, before pulling away. “Be good, Little Bird.”

Making sure she doesn’t sneak behind me, I leave, not in the helicopter this time, but through the garage.

Dressed in my black tailored Versace, I arrive at the underground club hidden among shops and eateries in Philadelphia.

The Maxton Pierce Auction House, so named after Clive Maxton and his partner, Miles Pierce, is home to millions of dollars’ worth of illegally acquired artifacts.

I pass through the highly guarded “front door” without a hitch. No one questions my presence in the prestigious underground establishment. Why would they? I fit right in.

Just in case, I have set up security measures. Insurance, in the way of fifteen of my men within close proximity should a battle ensue. However, it shouldn’t come to that, not with Ituski holding Arran’s office assistant, Devon, as collateral.

“This way, sir.” The young hostess greets me. I’m guided to a private booth at the far end of the auction hall. “Mr. Maxton will be arriving shortly. Is there anything I can get you in the meantime?”

“A bottle of your most expensive red. On the house, of course.” I wink.

She blushes and nods. “Of course.”

The moment she’s out of sight, I get a call from Scarlet. “Devices charged and ready.”

“And the staff?”

“Evicted.”

“Good. Move out, but leave one post. Inform me if anyone enters the house.”

“Yes, sir.”

Part two of my plan is ready. Now all I need is the first part of that plan to arrive. Ah, and there he is. I thought I felt a hard stare on the back of my neck.

“Hello, Arran.” I greet him with a friendly smile he doesn’t seem to approve of. It’s probably because he was expecting to seeMichael Williams seated here waiting for him. Instead he finds a total stranger.

My gaze turns to the woman on his arm. Unlike him, Skye recognizes me immediately and stiffens. She glances between the two of us, seemingly unsure of what to say or too afraid to say something that will give her away as one of my spies.

---