The d’Auvrelle family isold-school. Like royal-adjacent, founders of the country old-school. Not to mention, they're an insanely powerful underworld empire.
Vaughn nods. “Yes.”
“That'swhy we’re here?”
He shrugs. “That and the dancing,” he murmurs. “Plus seeing you in this gown, of course.”
My face heats.
“In all seriousness,” he murmurs, “I’ve been trying to hammer out a deal between the Syndicate and the d’Auvrelle family for months, but Xavier is notoriously selective about taking meetings. So, yes, it took coming to his turf for us to sit down with him.”
I swallow thickly. “Us.”
He nods.
“As an…us?”
Vaughn looks amused. “After the shit-fit you pitched about usnotbeing anus, now you have an issue with it?”
I bite my lip. “No, it’s just…” I lift a shoulder. “It feels like a big announcement to present us as anusto someone with that much power.”
Vaughn frowns. “And?”
“And…” My mouth twists. “Could I maybe sit it out?”
His brow darkens.
“No,” he growls quietly.
“Vaughn—”
“It’s important that you’re there, at my side.”
“To distract him with my neckline?” I snap. “To be your fuckingarm candy?”
“Amongst other things,yes,” he growls. “Nailed it. Let’s go.”
“Vaughn, I’d really rather not?—”
“AndI’drather not pin you to the wall later and ask youexactlywhat it is about Carson King and his background that you find so fucking fascinating.”
My face pales as his eyes pierce down into mine.
“W-what?” I mumble.
Vaughn smiles grimly. “You’re sneaky, but not so sneaky that I didn’t notice. Would you like to tell me why the fuck you keep digging into my very good friend's family?”
I swallow nervously.
Somehow, I get the impression that “I’ve been trying to join your organization to spy on you and your friends because a man you hate is threatening my family if I don’t find his long-lost son within your inner circle” wouldn’t go over well at this moment.
Or any moment.
“No reason,” I mumble. “His background caught my attention. That’s all.”
“M-hmm,” Vaughn growls.
His hand tightens on my waist as he look down into my eyes.
