Page 58 of Conquering Oz

“It’s nice to meet you, Camille.”

“You too, Elodie.”

Elodie cleared her throat, dropping her hand to her side. “It’s actually just Elle.”

It was a subliminal challenge in a sense.

Camille smirked, glancing over at Oz. “He’s the only one who uses my formal name too. I’m Cam to everyone else.”

Elodie wasn’t sure how Camille thought the comment would land, but it only infuriated her more. She didn’t want anything in common with his newest and much younger conquest. Elodie ground her teeth and drew in a breath.

“I should let you get back to your dinner.” Elodie forced a smile. “I have to get back to the bar. I’m meeting someone. A man.”

The second those two words came out of her mouth, she cringed. How desperate and petty did she sound, throwing that out in an effort to make him jealous.Oh, the irony!Jealous of what? He was sitting with a gorgeous, younger woman.

“I believe he just arrived and is waiting for you at the bar,” Nash said.

Thank God.If luck was on her side, he’d be handsome, well-dressed, and younger. It was immature and childish, but she wasn’t above goingtit for tatwith Oz.

“It was nice meeting you, Elle.” Camille smiled.

“You too, Cam.” Elodie glanced over at Oz. His gaze was hard. “It was nice seeing you again, Oz. Enjoy your night.” She cocked her brow.

He dipped his chin, and his voice held a rumbling warning. “Elodie.”

She spun around and made a beeline for the bar. As she moved through the empty room, she noticed two other men standing near the wall. How much security did one club owner need?Oh, I forgot, Oz is important.Elodie rolled her eyes and flattened her lips.Arrogant asshole.

When she entered the dining area, she searched the bar. A few more people had come in while she was away, and half the seating was now occupied.

“He came in asking for you.”

Elodie flinched, not realizing Nash had followed her.

“I had one of my men seat him at the end of the bar. Enjoy yourdate, Elle.” There was no mistaking the taunting in Nash’s tone.

Apparently assholes flock together.

Her gaze travelled over the bar to the far end. He was not handsome, not well-dressed, and probably had twenty years on her.

Fuck me and my crappy luck.

Elodie didn’t bother responding to Nash’s comment, and she walked across the room. Hopefully, they could wrap this up quickly with positive news on a loan, and she could get out of there before Oz finished his meal.

****

Oz watched her walk away and lifted his chin for Nash to follow. It was an unspoken demand that from here on out, Nash’s job was to watch her for the night.

“Friend of yours?”

Oz shifted his gaze to Camille, who was staring at him with a small smile playing on her lips. He wouldn’t answer, but it didn’t stop her from prying a little deeper.

“She didn’t strike me as a member of the Underground. It seemed she wasn’t very happy with you, and it came off a little personal.”

Oz grabbed his glass, slowly sipping his whiskey. Camille might be out of the loop with most things in the Underground, but she still knew Oz very well.

“I didn’t invite you to dinner to talk about me.”

Camille chuckled, grabbing her glass and raising her brows. “This was an invitation? It sounded more like a demand.”

---