“Kind of cool that you both have computer skills,” Scarlett says, and smiles at me. “It’s always good to have hobbies in common.”
“I’m notthatgood at it?—”
“Banking institutions aren’t easy to get into,” Julian says easily. “Not to mention, you have an MBA at twenty-fucking-two. You’re the brains in this relationship, Angel.”
“I hate to break it to you,” Carson says, “but she’s also the beauty.”
“You’re not telling me anything I don’t know,” Julian replies.
“Okay, you’re just trying to butter me up, so I like you.” I laugh and lift my wineglass. “It worked. I like you. Now we need to talk about someone else.”
“I love that sound,” Julian murmurs in my ear as he passes me a platter of bread.
“What sound?”
“Your laugh, Angel.” He kisses my temple, and when I glance up, I find Mateo watching us with a smirk on his lips.
Dinner is delicious. The rest of the conversation flows effortlessly through the meal, and they include me in it. They ask me questions. They make me feel like I belong here, with them.
Did I mention how good the food is? Because holy shit, I could eat a third plate, but then I would literally explode, and no one wants that.
“I have homemade ice cream sundaes for dessert,” Lulu says, making me groan.
“Uncle. I can’t get anything else in my stomach.” I pat my belly and lean back in the chair. “I’m going to explode.”
“We’ll wait a few minutes to serve it, because you’re going to want it, my friend.”
I lean on Julian’s shoulder, so content with how this evening has gone. His hand comes up to my cheek, and he brushes my hair behind my ear as he continues to hold a conversation. I love that he does that. He acknowledges that I’m next to him, even when he’s talking with someone else.
“I should be getting word from the port in the next fifteen minutes,” Julian says to Jack, who’s sitting across from him.
“Our guys have it handled, boss.”
“This is the first major shipment sincebefore.” I don’t know what he’s referring to, but I can tell that my husband is on edge. “And if it blows up in my face, heads will roll.”
“It’s going to be fine,” Jack insists, and then their phones both start to ring.
Eighteen
JULIAN
Wife: I know you just left, but I forgot to ask if it’s okay if Lulu comes over next week to show me how to use your super fancy kitchen and maybe cook something that won’t kill you?
I grinand feel some of the tension leave my shoulders as I read my wife’s words. I fuckinghatethat I was pulled away from the rest of the evening with her, and someone is going to die for it tonight. They’re going to suffer for the fact that I’m not nine inches deep inside of my perfect Angel right now.
Instead, I’m on my plane, headed to LA with my brothers and our men. Because something went very wrong at my port, even though the entire operation was planned meticulously. It should have been a flawless transaction.
Me: It’s your super fancy kitchen too, Angel. Lulu’s always welcome at our house. You don’t have to ask for permission to spend time with your friends. However, if you ever invite a man to our home, my men will be instructed to kill him on sight.
I lean back in the seat and grin when I see the dancing bubble appear on the screen, and I wait for her response.
Wife: So murderous tonight! Someone pissed you off. I’m sorry. Please stay safe, okay? Also, I don’t know any men to invite to our house. I haven’t gone home yet. Scarlett, Lulu and I are eating too much ice cream, drinking wine, and talking about you.
I smirk and ignore Mateo when he says, “Someone is smitten with his new wife.”
Me: I hope you’re saying good things about me. Just tell Benji when you’re ready to go home, and he’ll escort you. You’ll have a team of four with you.
“You’re grinning at your phone, man.”
