Page 118 of Untether

‘Yeah.’ He makes a self-deprecating moue with his mouth. ‘It is, and honestly, there are too many people ahead of me in the queue in New York. My only chance of a big break is London. It’s also the easiest way I have right now to get on track for Partner.’

I know enough from my time in banking that if an opportunity this sizeable comes up, you take it. Even if it means moving your family to the other side of the world at a moment’s notice. And, as far as I know, this guy has neither a wife nor kids, which should make his decision even easier.

‘Sounds like a no-brainer,’ I remark.

His smile is rueful. ‘I suppose so. It’s probably time I come back and keep an eye on my little sister, too.’

He shoots Rafe a mock glare, and Zach and I laugh.

‘Bit late for that, mate,’ Zach observes. ‘She’s walked right into the lion’s den.’

‘Yeah.’ He looks down at his drink. ‘Hasn’t she just? I have to say, I’ve stayed away this long to put some distance between me and my dad’s utter fucking toxicity, but I didnotsee my sweet little baby sis joining a sex club and getting engaged to its owner while I was gone.’

We all look over at Belle, who’s in an excited huddle with Maddy and Aida. I’m sure when Gen shows up she’ll get stuck in, too. My sister Annabel is only twenty months younger than me, but I can imagine my horror if a guy like Rafe had turned up, popped her cherry and swept her off her feet.

A guy like how Rafeused to be, I should say, because there’s no doubt in my mind he’ll make the best husband ever.

‘Yeah, I get that,’ I say to Dex. ‘But never have I seen a man more in love than this fucker here is with Belle. She’s in good hands, seriously. I mean, he even went head to head with your dad for her.’

His face softens, he and Rafe exchanging a look that suggests they’ve discussed the issue of his father at length. ‘I’m well aware, and I’m genuinely grateful she’s got you in her corner, mate,’ he tells Rafe. ‘I know you’ll make her very happy.’

‘Not as happy as she’ll make me,’ Rafe says gruffly. A month ago, I would have ribbed him mercilessly for spouting sentimental shit like that.

Now, I get it.

‘You know you’re welcome to stop by the club one night, while you’re in town,’ Zach says. ‘Even if you just make it as far as the bar. I promise you, it’s a fun place to hang out.’

‘The fact that Zach is saying that is nothing short of a miracle,’ I tell Dex. ‘This guy is a lot more traditional than me and Rafe.’

Dex lets out a pained laugh and rubs at his temple. ‘A sex club. Hmm—not sure I’ve made my peace with itquiteenough to actually go along. No offence.’

‘None taken,’ Rafe says. ‘And I get it.’

‘The offer’s there if you want it,’ I add. ‘If you’re back in London for more meetings before you make the jump, feel free to stop by. I assume you’re up to your ears in women—or men—in Manhattan?’

His laugh is easier this time. ‘Women, definitely. And let’s say I don’t get lonely. But it’s mainly Bumble dates. The dating scene is pretty fast and furious over there.’

‘High turnover?’ I suggest.

‘Something like that.’

He takes a circumspect sip of his champagne and I eye him up. Zach, Rafe and I went to St Ignatius of Loyola, one of the most hardcore Catholic boys’ schools in the country, so we all understand the endless hangover of guilt and shame a Catholic education can bestow.

I know from Rafe that Dex went to Ampleforth, which is right up there with Loyola in hardline teachings. I also know he left town and crossed an ocean to get away from his dad’s overbearing ways and religious conservatism.

So the fact that he’s seemingly fucking his way around Manhattan is actually pretty reassuring.

‘Let me guess,’ I say. ‘You’re working crazy hours, and you can’t be fucked to date endlessly and wonder if all those interminable dinners will actually result in you getting your end away, so you rely on Bumble hookups instead.’

He screws up his face. ‘Basically, yes.’

‘We’re one and the same,’ I say. ‘I mean, we were. I sold credit derivatives for years, and that was my MO, too. It’s one of the main reasons we founded Alchemy, actually.Convenient, low maintenance, high quality fucking. If you make the move over, we’ll hook you up.’

‘Jesus, mate, stop pimping him out,’ Zach says, laughing. He turns to Dex. ‘Now Cal’s madly in love, he can’t resist living vicariously. Just tell him to fuck off.’

‘In love with Aida Russell herself, no less?’ Dex asks in a low voice, his eyebrow arched in a way that tells me he’s impressed.

‘I’m as surprised as you are, mate,’ I tell him. ‘But yep. She’s been filming a documentary about female sexuality as women grow older, and she collaborated with Alchemy to do it. I was her mentor.’ I smirk at the amusement on Dex’s face at that idea. ‘But if someone as respectable as Aida has deigned to cross Alchemy’s threshold, it might make you rethink?’

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