I follow behind everyone as Beth leads us around the edge of the dance floor, where there’s another set of stairs leading back up to a different second floor. This looks more like a VIP section. The whole club is VIP, so I’m not sure what to call this more exclusive part.Overcompensating?
“If it isn’t our new business partners.” With a self-indulgent smirk, Romeo slowly descends the staircase like the king he thinks he is.
He’s wearing a leather blazer with no shirt underneath. The fight to not roll my eyes dies a quick death. Gold chains rest against what looks like a tattoo of a family crest,De Lucaetched across his collarbone.
I try to muster a sense of restraint over my patience, recalling Caleb’s words from earlier.This is what I wanted to happen. We needed this collaboration. It’s something to celebrate.I can’t piss them off before we get started.
“Thank you so much for having us, Mr De Luca,” Beth says with a smile.
The twat throws his head back and laughs, pinning his eyes on my sister once he’s standing before her at the bottom of the staircase.
“Oh, please,bella,” he says and picks up Beth’s hand, using it to pull her closer as he leans down to look straight into her eyes. “Call me Romeo.” His attention then shifts to Isabelle. “Ahh,dolcezza.”
I move behind Isabelle’s back, glaring down at Romeo. Even while he stands on the last stair, I’m still looking down at him. I raise my eyebrow in challenge, but he just smiles.
I almost regret the out-of-character possessiveness, especially when Isabelle isn’t anyone to me and we’re here for business, but at the last second, Isabelle leans back, just enough to touch my chest. I feel her inhale and then melt further against me. Even with the way my heart is thrashing inside my chest from the contact, I feel calm. Howunusual…
“Come. The boys are waiting.” Romeo turns and walks back up the stairs.
I wait for Isabelle to start walking before I move. She smiles over her shoulder at me, and I feel unworthy of that kindness. That sunshine. I should have more faith that she can handle herself if she needs to. If anything, she should turn to Caleb. She knows him, and he’s standing right next to her. I haven’t earned that level of trust. I only let people down.
Once we reach the top of the staircase, we’re led to the far end of the floor to a circular booth. Jackson, James, and Ace sit casually while women lean over the back of their chairs, whispering in their ears. James looks less than impressed by theattention, not indulging in the slightest. The women talking to Ace soon abandon his side once they see Romeo rejoining the table.
My eyes scan the rest of the area, noting the small army of beefed-up men scattered around the place. They don’t look like they’re here to drink. I’ve heard stories about the High Rollers. That must be the reason for the sudden demand for Isabelle’s safety I’ve developed this weekend. I should stick by her tonight. And, my sister, of course.
“Gentleman, I found our guests of honour,” Romeo announces. He smiles and winks at a woman leaning over the seat, who hands him a glass of dark liquid.
Beth slides into the booth next to James while Caleb moves in next to her. Excellent, Cale can watch our sister and I’ve got Isabelle. She takes a seat next to Romeo, and I damn near plaster myself against her side, throwing an arm over the backrest.
“A toast!” says Jackson while Ace waves his hand to one of the many women lingering around the booth. She leans down as he whispers in her ear, and with a nod, she takes off to the bar.
A cold, soft hand lands on the forearm I have resting behind Isabelle’s head. “Hi, handsome.”
I turn to the voice, finding a woman with short dark hair standing behind me. Her green eyes are framed with smoky makeup, and there’s a beauty mark just under her right eye.
“Not interested,” I say, then turn back to the table.
Beth is chatting with James. I can’t hear their conversation, but it looks friendly enough. Caleb has two women fighting for his attention on either side of him. He would normally call that a good night, but right now, he looks… flummoxed. He’s definitely not listening to what they’re saying. I can’t imagine what’s running through his mind right now, but when one of the ladies puts a hand on his chest, he looks nauseated. He picks off her hand as if it’s a piece of unwanted lint on his suit jacket.
A waitress comes over with enough shots for the table and places a glass in front of each of us. I hesitate, but feel eyes on me. When I look up, Caleb has his own shot glass in hand and flicks his eyes down to my drink, then back up at me.
I blow out a breath, then pick up the tiny glass, while Jackson makes a toast to our new partnership. We all throw back the liquid that fucking burns to high heaven. My eyes water as I slam the glass back down on the table.
“Mel! Another round!” Romeo calls, and I start to protest until a foot connects with my shin under the table.
“Ow!” I rub my leg and glare over at my brother, who shows me his phone while he glares right back at me.
I lean back so I can reach my hand into my pocket and retrieve my phone.
CALEB:
Pace yourself. Get some water from the waitress. You’ll be fine.
I send him a thumbs up and pocket my phone again.
“I don’t know if I can do another one of those,” Isabelle says. “I’m not much of a drinker.”
I lean down to her ear. “Neither am I. Don’t worry, I’ll look out for you.”
