Page 46 of His Deadly Lies

I feel a little bit calmer with things falling into place, on one front at least.

“How’s the drink?” the bartender asks.

“It’s good. Decent.”

He’s got his hair shaved on one side and the longer strands on top or bright blond and slicked back with gel. At least he fits the image my sister tries to cultivate for Meridian: young, hip, chiseled.

Carter is gone for the literal blink of an eye, not even enough time for me to shove a couple of olives down my throat before he’s right back in front of me again with an elbow on the bar top.

He draws my full attention with his presence, and his face is an odd combination of chill and smirk. Looming, leaning. Leering.

Why do I find all three of those things attractive? Why did I touch him so inappropriately in the linen closet? I flick a piece of hair behind my ear, torn and wondering what it all says about me.

“So, what did I miss?” he asks with only a hint of snark. Like he’s shocked to still see me in the same place.

“Who’s to say you missed anything?” I reply smugly. “Maybe I needed a break from your company, so I sent you on a fool’s mission.”

“Relax, Princess. You’ll have a break from me whenever you head to your throne.”

I narrow my eyes and slowly lift my drink to my lips. “You’re disgusting.”

His face breaks out in a grin, and he nods. “At least it’s good to see you haven’t taken off,” he says.

“See? I can do as I’m told, your royal grumpiness,” I retort.

He doesn’t look amused anymore, his features going back to his habitual stone face. “Do you want an update or not? Because the way I saw things, the package is wrapped up and in transport. Sebastian is a good employee. He takes care of things without having to be told twice.”

“He’s one of the best,” I agree. “A real treasure.”

Carter has his hands tucked into the pockets of his pants, but his overall energy is anything but friendly. It’s odd to rectify the image he presents here to the one he’s always maintained in the boardroom. He almost seemed to sink back into the furniture during the clan meetings.

Now he’s taking up all the air in the move and blocking the exit to the main room with his body. As though I’d try to escape.

He turns to me and chuckles under his breath, his hand reaching out to land at the back of my neck. Fire immediately spreads from the area. “Let’s get this meeting over with so we can get the hell out of here. Bash isn’t the only one who has business to take care of, you know,” he murmurs against my ear.

I shiver at the contact, and he laughs again, pressing closer so that his hard body is against my back. I feel him everywhere, and his breath ruffles my hair, an intentional move.

One I have to try my best to ignore.

I hide my reaction to Carter in the martini, glancing at my phone again. I have no follow-up texts from Alice. Not even left on read.

“I’m sure it’s fine,” I mutter. “We’ll be on our way momentarily.”

“You’d think she’d be all about a close-up night. With you. Especially considering the long line to get into Meridian every weekend.”

I don’t expect Carter to have a compliment fired up, and I don’t expect the concern that’s clearly evident in his voice.

Meridian really is the crown jewel. The main room of the space boasts floor-to-ceiling windows of stained glass to keep the outside world at bay. The floor is polished hardwood, and a side door leads to a large outdoor patio complete with its own bar. Lucia kept the color scheme—gold and black and touches of pure white—and added a few lounge couches around the space done in leather.

There are fresh flowers on tables and on the bar and a small open area for live music. Chandeliers overhead offer muted lighting and a perfect opulent finishing touch. People used to this lifestyle find it tasteful, and those who aren’t will find themselves out of place. Insignificant.

“Princess, I swear to fucking God, I’m not waiting around here for your nosy little reporter to make an appearance.” Carter glances at the gold watch around his wrist. “Either she responds or gets her ass here in twenty, or we’re out.”

I agree with him, and there’s no way I’ll say it out loud. He watches me with those bright eyes, noting the way I wrap my fingers around the stem of the martini glass, the way I bite my lip.

Alice is going to piss me off more than I already am if she drops her bombshell question and vanishes.

Some people are incredibly fickle. Although I would have bet money that after the bomb she let drop on our laps earlier, she’d be gung ho for a chance to see the operation herself. Surprises abound. Although it makes me feel like an ass, I’m going to call her.

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