Page 23 of Wicked Temptation

“Mainly because you were interested in the stats of their New York club, which was easy to find. It didn’t mention the owners’ names of 86th Street Dream, so I assumed it was just another corporation like the Tao Group with a board of directors of middle-aged men—not two hotties who manage the day-to-day workings of their club.”

“In other words, the owners being attractive is the only reason I’m getting all this insider info now.” Lisbeth lifted her brow.

“More like smokin’ hot, but, yes.” Willow teased. “Anyway, Nick Sinclair isn’t his real name. It’s Nick Santoro. Rumor is he changed it years ago for a more generic image.” Willow cocked her head, pleased with herself. “Although he’s not able to hide his Mediterranean good looks.

“Any other tidbits you’d like to share?” Lisbeth marveled at Willow’s thorough research.

“Nick and Samson have some skeletons in their past, but they’ve managed to do a good job hiding it or at least burying it, if you get what I mean.”

“Organized crime has been out of Vegas for years,” Lisbeth countered.

“At least that’s what everyone thinks.”

“All right, spill.”

“You’re right, it’s certainly not as blatant and in your face as in the sixties and seventies, but it still exists. Only much more subtle.” Willow scrolled at her phone and held up a split screen of both Samson and Nick. “And there’s no way two guys in their mid-thirties got this far on luck. Even their shattering good looks can’t purchase a thirty-thousand-square-foot club off the Strip.”

“I suppose you’re right.” Lisbeth's memories also included the group of shady individuals who frequented the Brooklyn club. There were always rumors and gossip, but she’d dismissed it as unnecessary drama not to be taken seriously.

“The only thing interesting to me about Samson or Nick is meeting with them, selling our services, and, hopefully, enticing them to use us. Then after they’re thrilled with LLL, Inc., they’ll refer us to other clubs in and around Vegas.”

“Sounds like a plan, but you can’t deny they are two very hot men.”

“Have you forgotten I’m engaged to be married in three months?”

Willow shrugged her shoulders. “I don’t get it, but it’s your life.”

Willow, like Juliet, thought Edward was boring and dull. The only one in her corner was Evelyn and her mother, who constantly went on about how Edward’s steady and reliable personality was an asset.

“I plan on setting up a meeting this week to discuss our services.”

“I understand he and Nick are both still single.” Willow waggled her eyebrows. “Need an assistant to go with you?”

“I think I can handle it by myself.” Lisbeth smiled at Willow knowingly.

“Since you’re taken, find out if he’s in the market for a younger woman. I’d be happy to show him the town, ending the tour at my apartment door.”

“This meeting will be kept strictly business.”

Willow laid her phone in her lap. “Can I ask you something?”

9

“Of course.” Lisbeth gave Willow her full attention.

“I’ve known and worked with you for over two years, and I know you don’t rattle easily. You handle irate mother-of-the-brides, nervous grooms, and horrible bridezillas without effort.” Willow bit her lower lip. “Yet when you came back to the table on Saturday night, you seemed extremely distracted—somewhat unnerved.”

“That’s ridiculous.” The sharpness of Lisbeth’s voice surprised her.

“Did something happen in Samson’s office? Something you might want to talk about?”

Lisbeth smiled, acknowledging her friend and co-worker's concern because, sadly, it held validity in today's world of inappropriate advances. Her brain wrestled with spilling out the truth or smartly keeping her past to herself. Her silence made Willow lean forward in her chair, waiting for the other shoe to drop.

“I knew Samson before Saturday night.” Lisbeth gasped, not believing she’d let those words slip from her mouth.

Willow’s eyes widened, her lips parted, then clamped shut. “I knew there was something.”

Lisbeth’s eyes flicked to the doorway, then back to Willow. “I don’t want anyone else to know.”

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