“It’s been a pleasure doing business with you.” He purred as I let myself out.
“I wish I could say the same.”
The sound of his laugh faded as I headed out of Dante’s office and into The Inferno.
The stairs in the nightclub were practically pulsating as I jogged down them towards the dance floor and the exit beyond.
But a familiar face coming up the stairs caught my attention. “Liam?” He looked terribly exhausted.
“Kensington.” He was out of breath, as if he’d run here. “What are you doing here?”
“Just wrapping up with Dante. I think we’ve got the agreement all ironed out.” I pulled out the envelope and handed him a USB. “We should all have one in case anyone double-crosses us.”
“Good thinking.” He nodded, wiping his mouth, eyes a little wild. “It’s helpful—having friends in high places.”
“Or low places.” I murmured, noticing his shirt was incredibly rumpled. “What are you still doing lurking around here anyway?” I tried to lighten my tone even as worry filled my chest. “Didn’t you finish the menus for the club months ago?”
“Oh, yeah.” He shifted his suit jacket as if he were hiding something. “I’m just doing some consulting. The Leones have a lot of connections.” He smiled, but it didn’t meet his eyes. “Networking, you know?”
“Yeah.” I swallowed hard, a pit settling into my stomach, knowing Liam already had lots of connections. “I know the breakup is still fresh, but if you ever need to talk… about anything.” I fished.
“Yeah, I don’t know, it’s not a big deal.” He gripped the back of his neck, his expression in contrast with his words. “I guess it wasn’t meant to be.” He checked his watch. “Hey Cart, I’m sorry, man, but I’m running a bit late.” He hooked a thumb over his shoulder. “Catch you later? When I can beat your ass for getting in the sack with my sister?” He added with a grin. “Don’t think I’m letting that one go this easy.”
“You talk to her?” I asked, knowing Sara wanted to be the one to talk through everything with her brother, to explain our relationship.
“Yeah.” He paused, already heading up the steps. “You already know what I’m going to say.”
“If I hurt her—” I started.
“I’ll kill ya,” Liam finished for me, his head tilted with a smug grin.
I chuckled. “Beer this weekend? I miss you.”
“I’d like that.” He agreed, and relief flooded me, realizing he wasn’t trying to push me out.
“Take care of yourself.” I called as he excused himself and hurried up the steps. “And take a nap, you look like hell.”
“You too, Kensington.” He called over his shoulder with a laugh, but I couldn’t help feeling like something was terribly wrong.
I started down the stairs again when my gaze snagged on the step he’d just been standing on. A faint red smudge where his shoe had just been.
Blood.
When I got home, I letallthe housekeeping staff leave early so I could fully indulge in my favorite sweet treat, because the scent of brownie batter was in the air, and the only thing more tempting than the smell was how cute mywifewas. I settled in against the doorframe of the kitchen,our kitchen, and dragged a hand over my mouth with a grin.
The soundtrack of some musical I didn’t know was blasting through the speakers, and Sara belted the lyrics into a batter-covered spatula, completely oblivious to my presence. Her dark hair was thrown up into a messy ball on the top of her head, little wisps curling around the nape of her neck, highlighting the soft spot I intended to give my full attention to later.
She looked sexy as hell, practically swimming in one of my t-shirts, perfectly undone, soft lean legs flexing as she spun around, doing a piss-poor impression of her brother in the kitchen—therewas brownie batter splattered in places I couldn’t possibly explain.
My cock thickened as I watched—the song crescendoed, and she dramatically serenaded the little orange stray I’d kept after my attack, who was currently sitting on the countertop, enjoying the show just as much as I was. Something about the vulnerability of it, the fact that nobody else got to see her like this—except for me,and Ranger. Playful, uninhibited, joyful.
And the best part? She was all mine.My wife.Forever and always.
Sara startled, realizing I was watching her, and her face quickly morphed into a devastatingly beautiful smile as she leaned into her shoulder flirtatiously. “Hi husband.”
“Hi wife.” She was like gravity, drawing me in as I slid my arms around her, loving the way she immediately relaxed into me even as she kept stirring the batter.
“Want a taste?” She asked, dragging a finger across the batter-covered spatula before lifting it to me.
