Page 68 of Master of Fortune

The man was six-foot-three with a brawler build and would have intimidated the fuck out of anyone who hadn’t been raised by an equally scary motherfucker.

The fact Penny Lykaios, a pixie-sized woman who barely passed five-foot-two, could marry him and hold her own was a testimony to her strength and will. According to Nyx, Penny ran the Lykaios household, even if Hagen acted like he controlled things.

“Lykaios,” I greeted him and then replied, “I have other matters to see to first.”

Like the goddess who was waiting for me in her bathtub.

The picture she’d sent me a few seconds before I’d walked inside the doors of the hotel was burning a hole in my pocket.

“It can wait.”

I lifted a brow. “I’m not one of the regular chumps you can order about.”

“And I own this resort. You want to get anywhere near my baby cousin, I suggest you take a moment to have a chat with me.” Hagen smirked. “Or would you rather this conversation happens with her brothers? In my opinion, I’m the lesser of the two evils.”

I held his gaze, not saying anything for a moment, then nodded. “You get ten minutes.”

“Let’s go.” Hagen turned and then moved in the direction of the casino.

“Does Nyx know you’re taking on the role of protective big brother?” I asked as my security team and I followed Hagen into the casino.

“That’s up to you to tell her. She is your fiancée.” Hagen nodded to an attendant who stood guard near a series of glass panels.

The man inclined his head and waved a key card across the seam between two sections. A false wall popped open to reveal a hallway leading into a giant reception area with offices in the back.

This place was modern and fancy as fuck. And the technology made the space look more like a center for an IT company than a resort and casino’s central hub.

“Let’s go into my office. This way we have privacy.” Once inside, Hagen offered, “Want a drink?”

“No, I’m good. I’d rather you get to the point.”

“Have it your way.”

We took our seats in a lounge-type setup by a bay of windows giving views of a curated outdoor garden with strategically placed fountains and lights. It gave the illusion of being an outdoor greenhouse nightclub, without the loud music or enclosure.

Once seated, Hagen leaned forward and glared at me. “I know you’re sleeping with her. Does this mean you’re planning to go through with the wedding?”

Well, that was direct.

Then again, I wouldn’t expect anything less from Draco’s former enforcer. The man had a reputation for no bullshit.

Hagen was related to Nyx’s mother, so I wondered why he hadn’t divulged my relationship with Nyx to her family. Maybe it was a courtesy to Draco or to Nyx—possibly a bit of both.

“I won’t force her.”

Well, maybe I would, but I wasn’t going to tell him.

Who was I kidding? No one could force Nyx to do any damn thing.

“That’s not what I asked you.”

“It’s her decision.”

“Does this mean you’d let her go if she said no?”

My stomach clenched at the mere idea, but I kept my face as emotionless as possible. “I’d do everything in my power to convince her otherwise.”

Hagen smirked. “Good luck with that. She isn’t someone who is easily swayed.”

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