Page 47 of Tangled Souls

“I’d love to see the new place. I’m not really a club person, but I’m curious about your vision,” Vivian pulls my attention back to her.

“When I send out invitations for the grand opening, you’ll be the first person on my list,” I assure her, and I swear the woman lights up.

“Perfect,” she chirps and claps her hands together. “How do you feel about brunch? Maybe in a few weeks?”

She pulls a card out of her clutch and hands it to me, her eyes hopeful in a way I know is sincere. It catches me off guard, but that’s more about me than her.

“Brunch sounds delicious,” my voice is low as I blink back tears for some reason.

When I look up at her, her eyes soften. “I’m more of a bellini person than mimosas, what about you?”

“As long as there’s champagne, I’m good either way,” I tell her, slightly teasing.

Before I know what’s happening, Vivian is giving me a hug. She murmurs, “I think we’re going to be friends, Oaklynn, and I’m looking forward to it.”

I’m taken aback but sink into the feeling of comfort and warmth she exudes. When she pulls back, we share a look, and I nod. It’s the only thing I can do because I don’t quite trust my voice at the moment.

Seth tucks his wife’s hand in the crook of his elbow and teases, “Come on, Vivian. We’ve monopolized enough of their time for the moment, and I see some people who are desperate to get a few minutes with me across the room.” He rolls his eyes beforeshooting me a wink. “They’ll be inconsolable if I make them wait any longer.”

With a quick goodbye, Seth pulls his wife away gently. She looks over her shoulder and makes a motion of a phone with her hand as she mouths, “Call me.”

I can only nod and smile. There’s no doubt in my mind that I’ll be calling Vivian. I’m sure she’s used to people trying to get close to her because of her husband. It’s something I’m just starting to navigate. But we don’t need the other to gain power or prestige which means more than I realized it would.

When I look up at my men, they’re already staring at me with soft smiles on their faces. “She seems nice,” I test the waters.

“She does,” Huck agrees without offering anything more, not like I expect him to.

“Seth Mason is a good mayor, one who can’t be corrupted by money and the promise of power. His only goal is to do the best he can for the city,” Kirill informs me.

I never paid much attention to politics because it didn’t seem to matter. When you see behind the curtain of corruption, which I did by having my father in my life, you realize that right and wrong aren’t always the factors that matter. Money and influence usually hold more weight.

With the knowledge that Seth is a good man, one of integrity, I feel myself relax a little more.

Maxim leans in closer, his lips brushing the shell of my ear, “Have I told you how sexy you are in this dress?”

I roll my eyes in exasperation, even as I preen under the praise. Yes, my husband has, in fact, told me exactly what he thinks of me in this dress. More than once. I feel sexy andbeautiful in it. I’m glad I let him dress me however he wanted yet again.

“You flirt,” I murmur and tip on my tiptoes to kiss his cheek, “you might have mentioned it once or twice.”

His eyes rake down my body and take in the black dress he chose for me. It’s gorgeous and fits me perfectly. The fabric might as well be feathers with the way it feels against my skin. It’s more modest than I was expecting from him. At least, at first glance. But then my leg peeks through the outrageously high slit and the illusion of modesty becomes slightly tarnished.

“I need to use the restroom,” I murmur softly. He nods with a twinkle in his eyes that has me smacking his chest softly with the back of my hand. “Not for that,” I hiss. “I am not letting you fuck me in the bathroom of a charity event.”

Maxim pouts for a moment before sighing like I’m asking him something impossible by expecting him to behave. It’s adorable.

The guys share a look and then Maxim is guiding me out of the large ballroom space and into the hallway. We don’t get far before someone calls his name and he turns. The man who approaches us looks a little unsure which has Maxim transforming into the charming man who helps to lead Volkov Enterprises instead of the Bratva second who can kill without remorse.

I give his arm a squeeze, knowing the bathroom isn’t far, and nod in that direction. Maxim looks torn for a moment but then he gives a tentative nod.

It doesn’t take me long in the bathroom, but I take a moment as I’m washing my hands to think about where my life is now. So many things have changed. I almost don’t recognize myselfwhen I look in the mirror. The sadness in my eyes, which I never thought would look any different, has been replaced by love.

I’m happy.

It’s shocking, all things considered, and I take a moment to simply enjoy it.

Just as I turn toward the door, it opens and a man steps in. At first, I’m confused, but then I get a better look at him and my heart drops into my stomach.

“Ah,” he taunts, “it looks like you recognize me. Good.”

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