Total pages in book: 133
Estimated words: 128290 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 641(@200wpm)___ 513(@250wpm)___ 428(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 128290 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 641(@200wpm)___ 513(@250wpm)___ 428(@300wpm)
I subtly look behind Christof in search of the familiar face I was half hoping to see here tonight, but from where I’m standing, he’s absent.
“It’s good to see you here, Enzo.” Reggie’s eyes slide my way and Enzo’s fingers span out along my stomach, gently ushering us back a few steps, putting more distance between me and the dark, dead-eyed man. “And with a Revenaw, no less.”
The accusation is there, the threat smooth and arctic cold.
There has never been a family tie between the four crime districts and the look in Reggie’s eyes tells us he’s against it, which in itself is interesting considering Enzo technically doesn’t have one of his own.
“Boston,” Enzo says smoothly. “You’ve met Reggie Moore and Christof Galley.”
“Mr. Galley.” I smile, dipping my chin slightly. “Lovely to see you again.”
“Always a pleasure, Miss Revenaw. Nicholas will be sad to hear he missed you tonight.”
His response is swift, the name-drop of his nephew respectful, though I doubt Enzo agrees as his fingers twitch against me, so I decide to acknowledge what he said out of spite. “As am I. If I wished to see anyone tonight, it would be him.” I smile, and it turns a little smug when Enzo’s harsh breath fans across my back, but I don’t miss the odd satisfaction that my comment brings to Christof’s eyes.
I keep my picture of poise, meeting Reggie Moore’s gaze once more, and almost smirk at the accusation in his expression.
I am so done with people tonight and it’s only just begun.
“As for Mr. Moore, we’ve not directly met, no.” I smile, moving my first piece on the game board. I lift my left hand, the men all spread around me like a crescent moon, forcing them all to take note of the little rock settled there. “It’s a pleasure.”
The swell of Enzo’s chest at my back is an unmistakable, unspoken “good girl” and now I wish I hadn’t done it at all.
Reggie is a man of control, as most in this room are, but his gaze pauses on the rose gold band for two beats before he forces himself to accept the pleasantry. Rather than shaking my hand as I had turned my wrist in greeting after showing Enzo’s ownership, because that is how these men interpret a ring on a woman’s finger, he turns my wrist right back, lowering his lips to my knuckles.
Enzo clamps a hard hand on the older man’s shoulder a split second before his mouth is to meet my skin. Reggie must be twice Enzo’s age with double the battle scars, but the man still tenses at the touch…a fact only I am aware of with his hand still wrapped around mine.
Reggie looks up, managing a tight smile, and releases me, albeit very, very slowly.
Enzo swiftly wraps his hand over mine, entwining our fingers together, his palm subtly brushing up and down the back of my hand. Almost as if he thinks his palm will wipe away Reggie’s touch from beneath it, but that’s one of those dumb girl thoughts I need to push away.
It’s a pissing contest, Boston. He’s not actually bothered by the man touching you, just the fact that someone dared to touch what belongs to him.
He’d do the same if it were Katana.
That’s a sobering thought and I’m back to being pissed off.
My eyes catch my sister’s across the room, Bastian at her side, and she jerks her head.
Clearing my throat, all the men snap their attention toward me.
“Well, I’ll leave you all to talk amongst men.” When Enzo’s hold doesn’t loosen, I look up over my shoulder. “I’m going to chat with my sister before we’re seated for dinner.”
There is a warning in his gaze, but if he denies me, it will put a question as to why into these men’s minds. He can’t have that, especially since he’s set on these people believing this lie.
“Of course.” He releases me, and I have to force myself to breathe when his knuckles come up to my jaw, gliding along it as he lowers his head, pressing his lips there.
They’re soft, warm, and full, and gone in a single second.
Satisfaction rings in his gaze, now latched onto me, but it’s gone in a blink.
I slip away, hoping the heat dancing up my chest doesn’t make it past the high neck of my dress.
I get two steps when Rocklin whispers something to Bastian. He meets my gaze a moment, dipping his chin, and I offer a small wave back as Rocklin breaks away, meeting me halfway.
She sighs, grabs my right hand, and drags me to the small pop-up bar at the far right of the room, her undercover recruits for the Greyson Society behind the counter.
She passes me a chardonnay and takes a small glass of dark liquor for herself, clinking it against my own. We take a small sip and I laugh around the rim, my eyes trailing over her man.