Page 461 of Hate Mates

“Wow. That’s impressive.” Aria states.

I lean forward, my elbows on the arms of the chair. “I’m glad you think so.”

“You must be really important?”

My head tips to the side slightly, I don’t want to appear cocky but still I smirk. She lifts her glass, her plump lips rest comfortably over the edge of the flute as she tips it. My gaze roams downwards and I stare at her throat, just in time to watch her swallow. I wonder what it would be like to see my dick disappear through those lips. It twitches at the thought.

There’s a shyness to her, a naiveté. I like it. Her friend looks between us and stands. “I’m just going to the little girls room.”

I turn my head and watch her friend disappear through the door, then turn back to Aria with a smile. “So, Aria, tell me about yourself.”

“Pfft, there’s nothing to tell, I’m boring...” her gaze darts everywhere but at me. I need to feel her eyes on me.

“I’m sure you aren’t.” I throw her a wink.

Her one leg crosses the other as she wraps her arms around her small frame. It’s only now I see that her dress clings in all the right places. “Thank you for the Champagne and the chance to come up here. This is amazing.” Her hand covers her mouth just as she lets out a yawn. I smirk as I lift a brow.

“Now it seems that I’m boring you.”

“Oh my God no, you’re really not.” Her cheeks fill with color, “I’m just really tired. Tonight was a bit of a spontaneousnight out, and when you’ve been working fifty to sixty hours, spontaneity isn’t the best idea.”

My brows pinch at that statement, “What is it that you do?”

“I’m an ED nurse. It’s very rare I’m even off for a day, never mind the whole weekend.”

She sips on her drink some more just as her friend makes her way back, but her step falters as she looks up and past us. Something crosses her features. A mix of sad and angry emotions flit across her face. Of course, being the person I am, I have to be tuned in to people’s emotions, otherwise I’d be dead. She pulls her chair out and the sadness that seemed to be eclipsing her anger suddenly passes, and she looks like she’s about to murder someone. “Is everything okay, I’m sorry I didn’t get your name earlier.” I lean forward and hold out my hand.

“Stacy. And yeah, I’m fine thanks.” She nods and smiles, but it’s forced, something’s eating at her. I’m not ignorant of a woman’s temperament and know when they need a minute.

I excuse myself telling Aria I’ll be back soon. I make my way around the room

mingling with guests, while keeping one eye on Aria. I’m not sure why. I guess when I like someone I go right after them and don’t stop until I succeed.

Her friend leans in and whispers something to her, she swings her head around to look across the room. As I follow her line of sight, the only person I can see is Brock, one of my other guys, and Gabriel, the little prick. He’s all over the place. I drag in a calming breath. Aria has turned back around but I know I’m going to have to deal with him. Silent fury bubbles inside me. “Get that little fucker away from my guests. I’ll deal with him later.”

With a nod, Carl goes over. When I go back to look for my little doll, she’s gone. “Fuck.” Now I’m pissed.

I snap my fingers at the waiter for his attention and let my body sink back into the chair I vacated a few minutes ago. The waiter is there in seconds, and with him is my usual drink in his hand. He places it on the table in front of me and I nod my thanks. I sit forward, taking the glass in my fingers and swirl the amber liquid around, hearing the ice clink against the sides. Lifting it to my lips, I take a long sip then get up, moving through my club and not stopping to speak to anyone but my men. “I’ll be in my office.”

I burst through the door and place my glass down on the desk and look at the monitor to see where they’ve taken Gabriel. He lies on one of the VIP couches fast asleep, probably sleeping off the effects of my product, that he fucking stole and thought I’d never notice.

A single knock sounds on my door. “Come in.” I don’t ask who it is, I don’t need to. There’s only one person that knocks on my door like that; Carl. I straighten my jacket, neck the whiskey in the glass and suck the remnants through my teeth before leaving the room and letting him take me to where Gabriel is.

I nod at Stuart,as we enter, he’s my other trusted guard. “Wake him up.”

A bucket filled with cold water and ice is thrown over him. The ice cubes scattering everywhere as they hit the floor. If that doesn’t wake him, I’m sure I can think of another way. His gasps fill the room as he shoots up from the couch into a sitting position. His eyes wide as he looks between us. I pull a chair over and sit it before him.

“Gabriel, Gabriel.” I sing, “What have you been up to, huh?”

“Nothing, Boss.”

“Oh. You’re not lying to me, are you? You know I don’t like liars.”

His head shakes frantically from side to side and his breathing speeds up; I know he’s lying. Lulling him into a false sense of security, I take a box of cigarettes from my pocket and offer him one. Naively, he takes the offer and places it between his lips. Carl lights it for him and does the same for me. I drag a lungful of nicotine in and blow the smoke out. Gabriel calms, just like I wanted him to. “You looked like you were having a good time tonight.”

“Yeah, it was a good night.”

I try to look like I’m interested, but honestly, I don’t fucking care. “So how much have you sold?”

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