Damon smirks. "That's our girl."
I lift a knowing brow at Damon. “Will I be wearing your ring?” I shift my attention to Quin. “Or your necklace?”
“Both, darling,” Quin rasps, trailing his finger along my breasts. “We don’t need to hide at Hades.”
THE CHARLATAN
QUINTON
If Club Hadesis the underworld, then The Charlatan is the gate into our sinful paradise. My fingers tingle as soon as we cross the threshold, and I breath in all the glorious secrets that call this lounge its home.
Despite Amir’s ego, I must give the man credit for creativity. Each and every single one of his club fronts are impeccable establishments in their own right. If there wasn’t a sea of elitist debauchery behind that sacred vaulted door, this bar could easily become a Manhattan icon.
Emery shivers despite donning a thick fur jacket, and I don’t need superpowers to see right through the fabric. I know that her skin is buzzing, that her nipples are perked and ready for tonight’s deviant littlegames. The promise of pleasure glitters in her gorgeous green eyes as she glances toward me, biting her lower lip. I can practically taste her arousal already.
“Gentlemen.” The guard gives us a respectful nod as we approach the hidden pressurized door that leads to the underworld. He holds out his hand. “Cards?”
Damon places his metal membership card in the guard’s hand, and I fish mine out of my pocket. As the two sheets of steel slam on top of each other, my phone rings. Damon glares at me, silently scolding me for not checking in my devices. He’s quite particular about distractions, but we’re in the middle of an investigation.
Well,Iam.
With an apologetic look, I lean over and place a lingering kiss on Emery’s cheek. “Why don’t you two get started without me?”
Emery frowns, but I don’t let her protest. This call isn’t one I can afford to miss.Wecan afford to miss.
“Go on, darling. It’s work. I’ll be there in a minute.”
Emery sighs. “Fine. But hurry.”
Damon’s skeptical gaze flits across my controlled features. “Work? Seriously, Q? We’re?—”
I remove the phone from my pocket and press it against my ear. He can give me a lecture later. Without a word, I wave them off, stepping off to the side as Damon and Emery disappear down the candlelit hallway.
I wait until the door closes.
“Yes?”
“Texas.”
Red’s voice sends a shiver down my spine. It’s been weeks of close calls and red herrings. I’ve come to learn that Toni Mancini is rather brilliant. She knew from the beginning that we’d be doing everything in our power to track her down, and she’s decided to play with our desperation like a true mastermind.
It’s taken weeks to detangle her web of lies and false leads. I admire her gall. She thought she could outsmart us. But Toni doesn’t know we have Red and her multimillion-dollar tech castle. I’ve also learned a lot about Red these past few weeks as well. She hates to lose.
“Are you certain this time?”
Despite the lack of uncouth undertones in my voice, Red snaps. “Yes, I’m sure! I wouldn’t call you if it weren’t confirmed.”
I resist the urge to roll my eyes. “It was simply a question, Red. I’m not doubting your ability to do your job.”
Red grumbles. “Sorry, it’s just… This bitch is annoying me.” She lets out a labored breath. “She’s holed up in an abandoned estate outside Dallas. I’ve cross-checked with a dozen sources. She’s there.”
My spine straightens. “I see.”
Red’s silent for a moment. “You don’t seem…happy.”
I swallow, jaw tense. Dread pulses through my veins, and I feel a familiar pang of unease gnawing at the edges of my conscience. Despite our agreement to honest with one another, I've been keeping thismanhunt, or womanhunt, a secret from Emery and Damon.
Guilt buzzes through me, but I push it away, burying it beneath layers of determination and resolve. Emery has been so bright and happy since returning to New York, and I don't want to be the one to dampen her newfound outlook on life. She deserves to believe that everything is going to be okay, and it’s my job, my sacred duty, to keep the light on in her heart. She’s had enough darkness to last two lifetimes.
