Page 9 of Allure
Joel had his phone out, his focus on the device instead of the slight conversation going on around him. Marco wondered if he was texting Syra, and a nasty case of envy washed over him that he couldn’t squash fast enough. Marco had done his research on Syra—kept tabs on her and knew she filed for divorce but it wasn’t final.
Just like their separation hadn’t been final that first time.
Marco hated the thought that blasted into his skull. It put him right back to the night when Syra told him she was leaving Lockwood and going back home to Ivywood—to Joel. Marco had fallen in love with her, was ready to invest in her art and help her expand to be more than just a household name in Lockwood. He was ready to marry her and build their life together, and she had walked away from it all because of some well-timed messages from the man sitting across from him.
How long before he wore Syra’s resolve down this time? Was he writing sweet words to her now, hoping to win her back?
And why do you care? You’re not here to repeat past mistakes, remember?
“I could never stray too far for too long, especially when I have great company like this waiting for me.” Asli winked at Jamie, pulling Marco from his thoughts.
“You look dashing as ever. I’m always glad you come to these little lunch dates. It gives me something to enjoy that’s not testosterone-infused.” Marco could hear the smile in Asli’s voice. He was laying on the charm thick, and Marco had to smother his laugh with a cough when he caught sight of the scowl on Lucas’ face.
Asli had fucked Jamie long before he had known who she was and who she was married to. Crimson was, for all intents and purposes, a boys club. They rarely let women in, unless they were on the arm of one of their members, except for Jamie, who had her own established wealth outside of her husband. Jamie and Asli had taken a liking to each other and fooled around before they crossed paths at Crimson. Asli made it clear once he knew who Jamie was and that she was married, there would be no repeats but that didn’t stop Jamie from flirting. It also didn’t stop Lucas from leaving Janie alone in Crimson, or wherever Asli was going to be.
“Yes,” Lucas grumbled. “It’s always good to have the Garrison heads on the same soil. You don’t plan on leaving Marco here alone again, do you?” Lucas asked more for his peace of mind than for Marco.
“Lockwood is home. I’m not going anywhere anytime soon,” Asli murmured, and the side conversations picked up as the waitress dropped their drinks off before tending to another table since no one was ready to order.
The conversation flowed around Marco, and he sat there silently, growing more agitated by the second. He kept his gaze on Joel, noting how quiet and focused on his phone he was. The asshole that he was used to spend these meetings boasting about his life back in Ivywood. How he couldn’t wait to rush home to his darling wife, a smug smile on his face because he knew Marco had been the other man—the one she left to go back to him.
The dipshit probably got a good laugh at him, knowing how easy he fell for Syra while Joel kept her on a short leash. One little tug and he called her back home and made sure Marco knew about their happy little life in Ivywood. It was the only tool in Joel’s arsenal that had the power to hurt him.
Marco conquered everything in his path. Whatever he wanted he knew how to get it except for the one thing that really mattered to him: Syra’s heart.
“We heard you guys are finally selling that building on Bleecker,” Jamie said, bringing the table’s attention back to him and Asli.
Joel finally put his phone down, his interest in what Jamie said pulling him into the conversation. Marco didn’t miss the calculating look in his eyes either.
Did Joel want the building? Probably, but he was never going to get it. Lockwood belonged to Garrison Inc, and nothing was going to change that.
“Actually we’re not selling it but looking to partner with the women who are interested in the building.” Marco took a sip of his water, purposely stalling and letting his words linger in the air.
Everyone looked in Marco’s direction and waited for him to continue—to spill any juicy secrets that would give them the leg up amongst their friends and rivals.
“In business with women?” Colton broke the silence with a sneer. The scar in his left eyebrow and under his left eye gave him a menacing look Marco was sure worked on others. To him it made him look like the piece of shit that he was if the rumors on how he got the scars in the first place were true.
Colton had the golden boy looks, dirty blonde hair, athletic build, dark eyes, and tan skin. He used his looks to get what he wanted in college, and one day he showed up to class with cuts on his face and arms. They’d been rumored to come from a woman he tried to force himself on. Those rumors only ended up being just that, rumors. The woman in question quietly disappeared and never actually came forward.
The fact that Joel associated with Colton made Marco angry. How could Joel hang with a man of his nature? It made him wonder if he ever brought him around Syra, and his fists clenched, itching to punch them both. If he harmed her….
“That’s an interesting change of pace for you. Do you want to share with the table what their business plan is? I’m curious to know what they showed you to make you willing to work with them.” Colton smirked and a low grumble rumbled through Marco’s chest. He felt Asli’s knee against his own, and the murderous images flashing through his mind lessened long enough to take in what Colton was insinuating.
As if Marco would use his position of wealth and power to force a woman into his bed or allow them into his bed to get one over on him and his business.
“I’d watch what you’re implying, Colton.” Marco leaned back in his chair. His gaze fell toward Joel who had that stupid smug smile on his face.
“Not only do we have a woman at this table, but she’s probably the wealthiest one here with her own money. You’re sounding a little like a bitter ex who can’t let go of the past.” Marco fought his smile when he watched the smugness slip from Joel’s face and Colton’s eyes narrow.
“Just because I refuse to do business with you doesn’t mean everyone I do go into business with owes me something. I can spot a good business move from a shit one, and if you haven’t noticed,” he leaned in, “you’re surrounded by flies.”
Marco abruptly stood as did Asli. They moved as a unit—an unconscious entity twined them together to the point it was almost scary sometimes how well they could read each other without words. But it was one of the reasons they’d been as successful in everything they did. “And on that note, we have another business meeting to attend. I’d say it’s been a pleasure, but I’d be lying.”
He looked over at Jamie and Lucas, the only two at the table he actually liked and respected. “If you need me or Asli, you know where to find us. I’ll email you and the other members for this year’s charity event with ideas and possible charities to donate to.”
Marco spared Joel one last glimpse before he pulled out his phone and walked out of Hibiscus with Asli at his side. He pulled up the email that Syra had sent him and typed his response:
Name the time and place. I’m all yours, estrellita.
