TWELVE
The garage is quiet as I pull the Mercedes into a free spot, the hum of the engine fading into silence.
It was Koen’s favorite car when we were sixteen. He’d wax poetic about how fast and perfect it was, practically treating it like some holy grail of vehicles.
Leaving it here, hidden in the bowels of this place where Veronica never ventures because she has a driver to get around, feels like the smallest, pettiest revenge. But after the day I’ve had, petty is about all I’ve got left.
The metallic click of the car door echoes as I step out. My muscles still ache with every movement, reminding me of the hours I spent trying to burn through the frustration at the gym this morning, trying and failing to quiet my head after what she did.
And now?
My head is still swimming, the exhaustion wrapping around me like fog as I trudge to the elevator.
The penthouse feels too still when I step inside, but the moment I see her, I understand why.
Veronica’s standing by the floor-to-ceiling windows, her silhouette cutting against the glow of the city. The air is heavierwith her here, like her presence alone changes the atmosphere, tilting the balance of power before a word is even spoken.
“Nicholas,” she says without turning, her voice sharp enough to pierce the exhaustion weighing me down. “You’re late.”
I resist the urge to sigh. “I didn’t know you were waiting for me, Mother.”
She turns then, walking over to stand in front of me, her gaze sweeping over me in that way of hers. “You stink,” she says bluntly. “Take a shower. You look like you were at the gym, not the park with your little friends.”
The jab hits, even though I try not to let it show. “You know about that?”
Fuck, and here I thought I had one thing just for myself.
Her smile sharpens. “Honey, there isn’t a thing I don’t know about.”
The air feels colder as the words hang in the space between us like a threat. She can’t know. She can’t possibly know about what went down today, or yesterday for that matter, but the way she looks at me makes my pulse spike.
“We have dinner Friday.” She moves closer. “With the Lane brothers and… probably with your sweet little new attachment you like so much.”
I blink, startled. “I never said?—”
“I know my son.” She cuts me off with a wave of her hand. “And you’ve never brought anyone home before.”
Panic flashes hot and quick.
Who the fuck ratted me out?
And does she know what Rosie—no,Novalee—tried to do? Does she suspect anything?
“Don’t look at me like that,” she says, a hint of amusement in her tone. “I’m honestly pleased.”
“Why would you be pleased?” The words come out before I can stop them.
“Becausethis will only help the relationship I’m trying to rebuild between our families. And maybe it will stop you from acting like a toddler every time I want to bring you somewhere they are too.”
“Why do you even want a relationship with them in the first place? I don’t understand.”
She sighs, shaking her head as though I’ve disappointed her again. “Yes, because you’re still stuck in a grudge from over a decade ago. I see business. I see opportunity. I see what’s important and think beyond petty feelings. Something you still need to learn.”
I clench my fists at my sides, forcing myself to stay calm. “What kind of business could you possibly want with them? They’re magicians.”
“I knew you weren’t the brightest candle on the birthday cake, but at least try to think, Nicholas. They’re magicians whoownhalf the Strip.”
“And you own the other half. So what?”
