Page 15 of The Billionaire's Temptation

A moment later, her smug expression returned and she again leaned into her husband. “I heard that you were the errand boy for Arthur Fuque. How did that happen?”

Levi eyed her for a moment, wondering where this was heading. “Do you really care, Laura?”

She waved her glass of champagne in the air. “Not really. The reasons that I’ve made up in my head are much more interesting.” And she laughed as if she’d just made the most delightful joke.

“Shut up, Laura,” Martin groaned, rolling his eyes. Laura didn’t, but she moved away as if heading off to speak with a friend. Levi suspected that she was merely getting away from her overbearing husband.

“So how’s my application for membership in that little club of yours coming along?” Martin asked, turning so that he was facing the crowd of other guests.

“I don’t know,” Levi lied. “It’s a process. My head of security does a deep dive into every potential member’s background.”

Martin’s expression immediately turned sour. “It was my father’s damn club!” Martin snarled. “And we’re your brothers! Clay and I should have automatic membership!”

Levi had heard this argument several times over the years since his father had “gifted” the club to him.

“Yes, but our loving father gave the clubto me. My partners and I have put a lot of money into the old place, bringing it back to its former glory.”

Martin gulped down a slug of champagne. “And you damn well should! It was a great place to visit growing up. Clay and I loved hanging out with Father there.”

At the reminder that Levi hadn’t ever been invited to the country house, where his father had set up a secret club for his cronies, Levi turned to frown down at Martin, who was several inches shorter than he was. “Martin, I seem to remember you laughing when our father’s lawyer read the will, which outlined that the property was my only inheritance from our father. You and Clay got everything else; the house and the business, as well as all of his money and investments, not to mention, you both received a college education, paid for by our dearly departed father.”

Martin shrugged. “You were born a bastard. If our father hadn’t been screwing around on my mother, you wouldn’t even exist.”

“True, but none of that was my doing nor my fault.”

Martin sighed and gestured to a waiter to bring him another drink. “What’s your point? Weren’t we discussing membership in the club?” He accepted the offered glass of champagne. “And I think you’re stalling mine and Clay’s memberships.” He looked at Levi, daring him to deny the charge. “You inherited the club and you should be grateful that you got anything at all.”

Levi shrugged. “I wasn’t expecting anything. However, you and I both know that our father gave me that damn club as an insult. The old house was barely standing when I took ownership. The members were behind on their dues because no one was enforcing anything. So I don’t understand why you’re so eager to gain membership now, when years ago, you scoffed at the idea of even stepping foot in the place.”

Martin’s teeth clenched as he sputtered. “Clay and I deserve membership because we’re elite members of Philadelphia society, damn it! You’re barely tolerated, while my brother and I are at the heart of every social event. Our presence anywhere means that the event will be a success.”

Levi tilted his head, acknowledging the accuracy of that statement. “I suspect you’re right, but that only means that you and our baby brother know how to party. However, that doesn’t mean that either of you know how to make money.” Levi shifted, gazing out at the crowd of people filling up the house. He lowered his voice as he added, “In fact, I heard some…interesting rumors that you’re trying to sell off several of your sports stores, but there are no takers because you and Clay have tanked the profits. The company is basically worthless and the employees are leaving to find more secure employment.”

Martin hissed, his fury rising to nearly palpable levels. “There’s a downturn in the market for sports equipment!” he snapped, then realized that others in the room were turning to stare and Martin lowered his voice. “We’ve had some setbacks. That’s all.”

“You’ve received some miserable marketing advice,” Levi countered. “That last advertising campaign? Who thought it would be a good idea to add racist tropes to your marketing campaigns? Did you think no one would notice?”

Martin sighed, but it was a furious exhalation. “Clay was in charge of marketing and he knows he messed up. But the company is rock solid.” He turned, tilting his head to look up at Levi. “I admit that we need an influx of cash. So, if you’d just approve our membership into your damn club, we could talk with some of the other members in a more casual atmosphere and get the company back on track.”

Levi chuckled. “The club members aren’t interested in saving a failing company, Martin.” He tilted his head thoughtfully. “And if you’re looking for a bit of cash, then that means that you probably don’t meet the financial requirements for the club.”

With that, Levi walked away, not interested in rehashing the conversation yet again. He found his friend, Sean Byrne, holding up the wall on the other side of the room. “Having a good time?” Levi asked.

Sean snorted. “These dinner parties are a waste of time!”

“Why do you come to them then?” Levi asked, but he knew the answer. Sean was a friend and fellow bastard. Martin O’Clary, Sean’s father, had not only abandoned Sean and his mother, but had gone out of his way to ensure that Sean was abused and ostracized by the small Irish village he’d grown up in.

Matteo del Campo, the third member of their trio, was another bastard who had been bullied by their father. The three of them had invested in various companies over the years, but their best investment had been after Levi had inherited that run-down “club”. Between the three of them, they’d renovated the place and lured in the wealthiest and most powerful, influential financial leaders in the world as members. And that’s why Clay and Martin were so desperate to gain membership to the club which they’d previously eschewed.

“Nothing better to do,” Sean replied with a dismissive shrug. Then his eyes moved over one of the lovely women in a shimmering cocktail dress. “And the view is better than what I’d see at my place.”

Levi snorted this time. “Not really,” he grumbled, thinking about Clarissa. She’d been a hot, sweaty mess when he’d seen her the first time. And still, she’d been significantly more attractive than the two twenty-something women who were currently giving Sean and Levi their practiced “come hither” smiles.

Sean sighed and shook his head. “I think you’re right.” After one more cursory glance at the ladies, he turned his attention to Levi. They were equal in height, but while Levi was built like a swimmer with a lithe frame, Sean was built more like a boxer. Or a buffalo. The man’s shoulders were huge!

Levi could take him in a fight though. Although, the three friends rarely tried all that hard when they got into the ring with each other these days. Their previously determined training at mixed martial arts was more of a hobby now. In their early days, their MMA training had been an outlet for their emotions as well as a way to protect themselves. When they’d started their businesses, there had been many already established company owners that preferred illegal means to eliminate their competition. Being able to fight dirty, both physically and financially, had helped them overcome their unethical financial competitors.

Thankfully, success, plus age and experience, had smoothed out the rough edges of their lives. Their mixed martial arts training sessions were now more for entertainment than self-preservation.

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