Page 11 of Dex

He doesn’t elaborate.

Instead, he smiles again, smoothing over the moment.“Tonight will be a networking opportunity for high-profile business partners.Key investors.Industry leaders.Andyou.The surprise guest.”

I exhale slowly.This is bigger than I expected.

I nod.“I’m … I’m looking forward to it.”

He gives me one last unreadable look.“I do hope this will lead somewhere.”

Chapter 4

DEX

It’s rare for all of us to be in the same place at the same time, unless it’s a Knight family dinner.And tonight, while it’s still at the old man’s penthouse, it’snota family dinner.

This is a soiree, according to the email that was sent out.

As Zach, Jett, and I approach the elevator, I spot the Italian Knights, Rio, Enzo, and Matteo, already waiting.Rio cocks an eyebrow at me.I nod back.I haven’t had a chance to ask him yet if he’s spoken to our father about the Brazilian Beauty Queen.

Beside him, Enzo stands stiff, unreadable as always, and Matteo looks as pissed off as ever.

None of us likes coming here.At the dinners the old man hosts every month or so, he forces us to sit through an evening of veiled insults, business talk, and power plays.But tonight, it’s something different.This time it’s a small and intimate soiree and a chance to network with high-worth individuals, high-powered investors, CEOs and social elites.

At least there’s safety in numbers and the old man will be busy mingling and working the room.

Which means I can stay for a short while, show my face and get the hell out.Jett probably has the same idea.I notice he brought Cari along with him tonight, and I’m still trying to work out if it was a very brave move on his part, or insanely stupid.

We stare at the elevator, not sure how the seven of us are going to fit in there.The Italian Knights were already here first so, when the doors fly open, they take up the back wall.The rest of us stare, with hesitation, not stepping inside.

“There’s plenty of room,” Enzo says.

“Let’s just get in,” Zach says, always the only one of us eager to come here.

We step inside, but Jett and Cari still hover outside.

“Stop being such an ass,” I mutter, glaring at Jett.Now that he’s all loved up, he’s already acting different.Like he not one of us.“You can squeeze in, even with that big head of yours.”

Jett cuts me a look that has the power to freeze me.Cari steps in and my brother reluctantly follows.He leans against the mirrored wall, surveying us like he’s already figured something out.“A soiree,” he states, flatly.“I wonder what the agenda behind this is.”

“The last thing we’ll expect, no doubt,” I say.“There’s always an agenda, even if it’s just dinner.”

“It’s never just dinner.”Everyone says in unison.

“Are you sure you want to go to this?”Jett asks Cari.

She places her hand on his arm, looks up at him like he’s her world.“Your father invited all of us.It would be rude not to.”

I frown.“It’s a bit late now, bro, you’re already heading up.”He’s treating Cari like she’s made of glass.When did he turn into such a wuss?“It’ll be easier to get lost among the guests,” I offer, then turning to Cari, after remembering the last time, “Tonight won’t be so bad.”

“After my last visit …” Her voice trails off.That must have been a baptism by fire.First time she came, and the first time any of us had the balls to stand up to the old man in the way Jett did.

Jett seems to be overanalyzing this evening.“But why?This is quick.Usually he tells us about these weeks in advance, and he only told us a few days ago.”

“You’re right.The old man usually holds these things in some plush hotel ballroom, not his penthouse,” I say.“Maybe it’s a party.His birthday, or something?”

“Do we even know when his birthday is?”Enzo asks.

Matteo snorts.“Does anyone care?”

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