When I pulled back, her cheeks were flushed and her breathing uneven.
"You should go," she said, but her hands were still fisted in my shirt. "Before you're late."
"Yeah." I didn't move.
"Eric."
"I know." I kissed her again, quick and hard. "I'll see you tonight."
"You better."
I forced myself to step back, to grab my jacket from where I'd tossed it over her chair. At the door, I paused.
"Ivy?"
"Yeah?"
"Thank you. For giving me another chance."
Her smile was small but genuine. "Don't make me regret it."
"I won't."
I left before I could talk myself into staying, before I could promise her more things I wasn't sure I could deliver. The drive to my hotel was short, and I used the time to shift gears mentally.
Ivy belonged to one part of my life. The Donatis belonged to another.
I needed to keep them separate. For now, at least. Until I was ready to try to bring her into it.
If she chose not to accept me for the truth… the thought of losing her was not one I wanted to entertain.
Sheneededto accept it. Because I couldn't lose her again.
In my hotel room, I showered and changed into a fresh suit, checking my appearance in the mirror. Professional. Polished.
The Donatis held the key to everything. To expansion. To territory. To a future that might actually include the woman I'd left behind four years ago.
All I had to do was convince them that an alliance with the Hale Syndicate was worth the risk.
And hope that when she learned the full truth of what I was, Ivy wouldn't hate me for it.
10
ERIC
The club was everything I expected of a business owned by the Donatis. Upscale without being pretentious, intimate without feeling cramped. Dark wood paneling, leather booths, and crystal chandeliers that caught the light just right. A stage dominated the far end of the main floor, where women in sequined corsets and flowing skirts moved through a routine that blended classic burlesque with modern edge.
We were in the VIP section, elevated above the main floor with a railing that offered a perfect view of both the stage and the crowd below. Privacy screens flanked our booth, but the open side gave us a clear line of sight to everything happening in the club.
"This is impressive," I said, gesturing to the space around us. "The whole setup."
Leo leaned back in his chair, a tumbler of whiskey in his hand. "We like to keep the family business in good hands. This place has been ours for years."
“Family-owned and operated?" I asked.
"Every aspect of it." He took a sip. "It's why we chose it for tonight. No outside ears. No cameras we don't control. Just good music, good drinks, and privacy."
The food had been exceptional too. Nothing overly fancy, but perfectly executed. Steaks that melted on the tongue, sides that complemented the mains without overwhelming. Even the bread had been outstanding.
