Page 70 of Judgment

On one hand it makes sense that he would want to hit me where it would hurt the most.

But he’d have to know that I’d be more likely to notice the loss of someone like Hugo than I would one of the many peons who lifts product one trunkload at a time.

I slide into the backseat, going silent as Sal takes us back to my place, pulling up at the front curb to drop us off before taking the car around to the garage.

“He’s an idiot.” Victor walks beside me as the doormen clear our path into the lobby.

“My plan is sounding better and better, isn’t it?” I step into the building, keeping my eyes on Victor. “It’s still early. We have plenty of time to—” I stop as I come face to face with the man I’m trying to talk my second into letting me remove from the equation.

Frederick smirks at me, oblivious to just how close he is to taking his last breath. “Still have plenty of time to, what?” He takes a step toward me. “Maybe make a visit to Platinum?”

I try to look bored, but his mention of the club where Paisley works moves him even closer to the end I want. “There’s nothing there that keeps my interest.”

“That’s not what it looked like last night.” Frederick’s smirk holds. “Last night you seemed very interested.”

I unbutton my overcoat, letting it hang open. “Why are you here?”

“I came to visit a new friend of mine.” Frederick retrieves a silver cigarette case from the pocket of his coat and flicks it open, pulling one free. “I like to be social.” He lifts the cigarette toward his mouth but stops halfway, hand hanging midair, gaze zeroed in on a spot just over my shoulder.

I turn as the doors open, held wide as a woman steps through them.

Paisley stands tall and proud, a sparkling red dress clinging to her body. It covers nearly every inch of her, but still leaves very little to my imagination.

Or maybe it’s the fact that I don’t need my imagination to know what’s under the fabric that has my cock straining.

She blasts me with a wide smile that almost makes me turn to make sure it’s for me.

But then I catch the glint in her eye.

“Hey, handsome.” She comes straight to me, wrapping her arms around my neck as she leans up to press a kiss to my cheek. “Are you ready for dinner?” Paisley slides her hands into my coat, smile barely slipping as her fingers brush over the grip of my pistol. “I’m hungry.”

“You’re early.” I don’t have any choice but to go along with what she’s set up, even though it’s not ideal.

I don’t want Frederick looking at her, let alone standing close enough he can smell the sweetness of her skin.

“Like I said,” Paisley’s gaze doesn’t leave my face as she presses closer, “I’m hungry.”

I feel the weight of Frederick’s stare as he watches us.

I run one hand down her arm, skimming over the thin fabric covering it. “Where’s your coat?”

She lifts one shoulder and lets it drop. “I hated to carry around one more thing.”

I know it’s not the truth. I know the only coat she has is so worn out it’s practically disintegrating.

And Paisley wanted to look the part she’s trying to play.

She walks her fingers up the center of my chest. “Plus I knew you’d keep me warm.”

I catch her hand and lift it to my mouth so I can run my lips across her knuckles. “Careful, Duchess. You won’t make it to dinner.”

Her gasp is completely real, even if none of the rest of this is.

“He’s gone.” Victor’s mouth is a flat line, his unhappiness with the situation obvious.

Last night I had to listen to him try to convince me that I need to stay away from Paisley.

And I almost thought he was right.

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