Page 39 of Savage Promises

Neve stops eating and notices the silence. “Come eat with me, Shane. You keep saying you want us to spend time together. I’m here.”

In MY new bar’s construction site.

“Of course,” Shane says, his voice straining and awkward. “This conversation isn’t over, Lennox.” He glares at me, his eyes above Neve’s head bobbing as shedowns the sandwich.

She doesn’t ask what he means. She doesn’t care.

I leave them, a familiar tightness clawing at my throat. Warm tears well up behind my eyes. To be able to just show up to where Shane is, stomp my boot heel, and have him give me all his attention? It’s suffocating how much I want that.

How much I wanthim.

When Shane glances at me, I spin around to keep walking. Through sheets of plate glass sitting on a cart, I see him turning back to my sister.

Driving back to Club Echelon, I push away the aching jealousy, by focusing on the new bar and on the future I’m building for myself. But no matter where my mind goes, I end up down a rabbit hole thinking of Shane. And Neve.WithNeve. The two of them together.

Grrr.

The weight of this day feels unbearable. I need to talk to Rafael. It’s time to settle this funding dilemma. I need to know if this is doable. That hope will pull me out of my spiraling thoughts of my sister and her fiancé.

Myfiancé is in town this week. Maybe surprising him with sketches and photos will jolt him into wanting to own Luxe with me. I have solid numbers now.

I’m due back at my club, but I hook a left and drive right to Rafael’s office. I arrive at the building and get out of my car. I spot his limo idling in front and it happens in slow motion...

He gets out and helps a beautiful redhead wearing a fur coat onto the curb next. My brain immediately thinks she must be a colleague. One he...kisses.

With tongue.

Oh God, no.

I’m frozen on the sidewalk. Rafael holds the woman by the waist and turns to go inside the building but spotsme at the last second. I’m just standing there on the sidewalk, people weaving around me, some bumping into me.

Wide-eyed, he whispers something to the redhead. She glances my way and rolling her eyes like I’ma stalker, she strides into the building.

The absurdity of it all hits me like a wave. All the second-guessing I was doing about why he’s been so distant. Blaming myself, my hours, my weight. What a waste of fucking time.

“Lennox...” Rafael approaches me in one of the double-breasted suits I helped pick out. “What are you doing here?”

“I’ve been to your office before, Rafael.” I hold my middle, trying to keep it together. “I didn’t think I needed an invitation or to give you a heads-up. Who was that?”

He takes a moment like maybe he can pull a con on me. Telling me I didn’t see what I just saw. Staring into my eyes, he knows I won’t fall for it.

Because I don’t want to fall for it. I never really loved him, but this betrayal...hurts. It also has implications on my life I’m not prepared to deal with right now.

“I met her in Spain. Over Christmas.” He sounds half-guilty, half-annoyed. “She’s...perfect for me. In and out of the bedroom.”

“Old-world traditions be damned, I see.” I feel even more ridiculous for being a twenty-four-year-old virgin. “When were you going to tell me about her?”

“I’m sorry, Lennox.” He stands to his full height, offering no other explanation.

I immediately twist off the plain ring he gave me. “Who is she?”

He hesitates. “Marina Dimon. Of Dimon Liquors.”

The name registers. The liquor store chain. Why have your wine in one little bar in Astoria when it can be onevery shelf in the world?

“Here.” I hand him the ring, shaking my head in anger. “You’re unbelievable.”

Hesitating, he takes it from me. “Keep the apartment, Lennox.”

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