Page 58 of The Cost of Corruption

But eventually, I had to.

“We should take a break,” Matteo said. Even though he had to be shouting against my ear, it was still hard to hear him over the din. “You’ve been out here for hours.”

Had I?

It seemed like we’d just arrived. But I didn’t doubt Matteo for a second. This was his world, after all—not mine.

“Sure,” I said with a nod.

He took my hand, his fingers tangling tightly with mine, as he navigated us through the dense crowd. Once we were off the floor, he guided me through the darkened walkways to the VIP section, where the bouncer lowered the velvet rope and let us in.

Apparently, Matteo and his brothers were regulars here at the Relic—a trendy nightclub in the middle of Manhattan. Theyhad their own spot, a place that was always reserved and waiting for them on nights like this, just in case they showed up.

It was the kind of conspicuous indulgence I would have rolled my eyes over a week ago, but tonight, I was simply grateful for a place to sit.

Matteo was right. I did need a break. I didn’t realize how tired I was until I flopped down on the plush sofa.

“Two waters,” Matteo said to the attendant, who quickly nodded and rushed to fill the order.

“No champagne tonight?” I asked between pants, still trying to catch my breath.

“You need water.” He shook his head. “Alcohol will only dehydrate you more. I’ve never seen someone who likes to dance as much as you.”

“Is that a bad thing?” I asked, feeling a flash of self-consciousness.

“Not at all,” he answered. “Just surprising. You’re usually so much more reserved. Especially in when there are other people around.”

It was true.

So far, I had no trouble shedding my inhibitions when Matteo and I were alone, but out in public was a different story—not counting that first night in the restaurant, of course.

But then again, all the other places we’d visited had been smaller, intimate settings. I’d simply matched my behavior to the atmosphere of my surroundings.

“There’s something very freeing about this place,” I mused. “It’s like there’s a tipping point in a crowd this big. There’s so many people that you can lose yourself and almost become anonymous.”

“Almost,” he echoed. “But I’m happy to hear you like it. I’ll make sure to bring you back.”

I smiled at the thought just as the attendant arrived with two large, icy-cold bottles of water. I twisted off the cap, threw my head back, and downed a good portion in one go.

Damn. I really had needed something to drink.

But as I was bringing my head back down again, my eyes swept over the crowd—and froze on someone familiar.

My cousin, Alessia.

At first, I blinked and shook my head, not believing my eyes. After all, there were a lot of people out on that dance floor, and the lights were low. Surely, it was just someone who looked like Alessia standing at the edge of the dance floor.

But no.

As I narrowed my eyes, all doubt disappeared.

It was her all right—and she was staring right back at me. Though she didn’t seem quite as surprised to see me as I was to see her.

The moment we made eye contact, she raised her hand and gestured to the far wall. I followed where she was pointing and saw the neon sign for the restrooms.

Apparently, she wanted to talk somewhere Matteo wouldn’t be able to hear us.

I won’t lie. For a second, I felt a stab of paranoia. Had she been sent by my father? Were there other Costas waiting in the crowd to grab me as soon as I left Matteo’s side?

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