Page 27 of Coldhearted King

“What are you doing?” Alex asks, amusement threading her voice.

“It’s him,” I whisper-shout over the loud music.

“Who?” She scans the surrounding area.

“Him.About to go up to the VIP section.”

She peers in that direction, and a grin stretches across her face the moment she spots him. “Oh, this is perfect.”

“Why is it perfect? I’m here to relax and forget about work and him. Isn’t that what you’re always telling me to do?”

“No, you’re here to have fun. And what’s more fun than seeing your ex—”

“He’s not my ex.”

“Your ex-hook-upwhen you look like a million dollars and are bound to have men vying to dance with you?”

“No one’s going to be vying to dance with me. And I doubt Cole will even notice me in this sea of people. Particularly not when he’s surrounded by what looks like a bunch of supermodels.”

“Younoticedhim, didn’t you? And you underestimate how hot you are, Dee. Anyway, you’re right. Cole King can have his supermodels. Tonight is about you letting go and living a little. So, come on. We’re both looking as sexy as fuck. Finish your drink and let’s get out on the dance floor and enjoy ourselves.”

I really do want to dance. Cole will be up there with his women and his friends, completely self-absorbed, and will never know I’m here. Why not forget about him and have fun?

I down the rest of my drink, scoot from the booth, and hold out my hand for Alex. We wind our way through the tables and people until we reach the dance floor.

Turns out Alex was right. We soon have a bunch of guys dancing around us. And she’s right about something else, too. When I imagine a pair of icy blue eyes looking down from above, I smile and sway my hips even harder.

After all, pretending never hurt anyone.

CHAPTERTHIRTEEN

COLE

“When was the last time the three of us were out together?” Tate asks, raising his voice to be heard over the pounding beat.

I swirl the whiskey in my glass. “It’s been a while.”

While Tate often attends our club openings, I only do occasionally, and Roman rarely ever does. I’m sure he considers it beneath him to fraternize with the commoners, let alone his brothers.

But putting on a united front is more important than ever now, which is why we’re all making an appearance at the opening of one of our recent investments. I have no clue if Roman’s enjoying himself or not. He reclines in his chair, drinking top-shelf whiskey, his cool gaze scanning the crowd while a hot blonde chatters in his ear about something I’m sure he doesn’t give a fuck about.

Even with the dim lighting in the VIP section, I can see shadows under his eyes. For the first time, I feel a pang of sympathy for him. It can’t be easy, helming a vessel as large as ours while trying to stop all the rats from jumping ship.

Crystal, the woman who plastered herself to my side as soon as we arrived, puts her hand on my thigh and squeezes. “Would you like to dance?”

“No thanks,” I say, barely glancing in her direction.

Her hand trails further up. “How about after this, you show me your penthouse?”

This time I look at her. I run my gaze from her silky blonde hair to her plump tits and small waist. She’s a knockout. I could do far worse than take her to bed tonight. If I do, it won’t be to my apartment, though. It’ll be to the hotel.

I give her a lazy smile but don’t confirm either way.

“How’s Jessica?” Roman asks me out of the blue.

I frown. “Jessica? I’m sure she’s fine. It’s been a couple of weeks since I saw her. Why?”

“Just wondering if she’s said anything about her father.”

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