Page 50 of Elicit (Decadence After Dark)

And I’m always right.

“The answer is still no.”

“Suit yourself, scaredy cat.”

“Put a fucking sock in it and drive.” He pulls out his phone and ignores me the rest of the way home.

I do the last of my checks and balances. In less than twenty-four hours, we’re going to have the right-hand man of one of the planet’s most notorious drug lords staying in this house. There’s no telling what’s going to happen after that. The plan is to lure El Rey out. Set up a meeting face to face. Mano y mano. If we’re going to do business, we want to know exactlywhowe’re doing business with. He’s the one who contacted us, after all. This is our ploy. And once he slips from the shadows, we’ll make our move. Execute a sneak attack.

That’s if Javier doesn’t smell anything fishy. His preliminary visit will determine whether this plan pans out. One wrong move, one questionable action, and everyone in this house could end up in a body bag. El Rey isn’t known for his patience or compassion. He’s known for his ruthlessness and the blood trail he leaves in his wake.

Kayne and I get one shot to do this right. We’re drawing the string, aiming the arrow, preparing to hit the target.

And there’s no fucking room to miss.

Everything is quiet. No clients, no work, no bullshit. The calm before the storm. I make my way out of my office, desperate to find some Zen. After tomorrow, who knows if and when I’ll get to meditate again. As I round the corner into the foyer, I run smack dab into Alistair and Amber in the midst of a heated conversation. Honestly, I don’t even want to know. Their issues are their issues, but I warned Alistair that if he’s going to stick around he needs to straighten things out with Amber, fast. Javier will sniff the tension a mile away. We need to come across aloof. Stringent businessmen who care more about the money than about the women. Not sure how well that’s going to fly. Secretive, cunning, and crafty are our middle names after tonight.

I walk straight past them; they both eye me but don’t say a word. I hear the heated whispers pick up after I’m halfway up the stairs. When I make my way past Kayne’s room, I stop short. It looks like his closet threw up. There are clothes scattered everywhere. I wander in as he buttons a dress shirt in the mirror.

“Whatcha doing?”

“What does it look like? Getting dressed.”

“A little indecisive tonight?” I make note of the room.

Kayne yanks the collar of his shirt uncomfortably. “Just looking at all my options.”

“Where ya going all dressed up?”

“Out.”

“Out where?” I smile obnoxiously. Like I don’t already know.

“Just out.”

“To see her?” I tease him. Oh, I am loving this. I wish I had a camera. Maybe I should get London to capture this moment. Kayne’s first date.

“Yes.” He turns around, agitated. “Are you happy? I said it.”

“Acceptance is the first step to recovery.”

“Are you here to annoy me or encourage me?”

“The latter. I’m glad you’re going. You need this.”

He grimaces. “I’d better get to fucking bang her in the bathroom.”

“That’s it, caveman. Show her who’s boss.”

“You’re the one who planted the idea.”

“And what a good idea it was, no?”

Kayne glances at his watch dismissively. “I gotta go.”

“Okay. Be safe. Use protection,” I advise parentally.

“Spare me,” he grumbles, pushing past me.

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