“Mr. Schultz, it’s nice to see you here this evening. How are you finding the establishment?” I asked, pasting that smile back on. I clapped Wells on the shoulder, leaving my arm around him. I felt him relax into me, something changing inside.
“Oh, Nicco, how are you?” he asked, smiling at me. “I was just talking with Mr. Young here about the big fight you’re having in the summer. I’m looking forward to it.”
“That’s excellent. I know there were some issues with some fighters scraping in at the last minute at our opening. It made us wonder if the integrity of the fighting program had fallen and whether we were better off switching to a different fighting style. You don’t know anything about that, do you?” I asked, raising my eyebrow. “Wells was stabbed during that altercation.”
The man gulped, looking at Wells a little differently now. “I didn’t realize that was your fight, Mr. Young.”
Wells grunted, taking a drink. I squeezed him, hoping to help calm him. I knew he was more worried about Loren during that fight, but it didn’t mean he hadn’t been affected by the incident. Something like that left a mark long after the injury healed.
“Yeah, well, not something I like to remember,” he finally said, setting his glass down.
I was suddenly grateful my brother had made us all learn the secrets of all the guests here tonight since Wells seemed to have fallen into a sullen state with the mention of the fight.
“Yes, well, as you can see, it was pretty traumatic for us. Which reminds me, do I remember correctly that you have a daughter who attends River Valley? My sister is thinking of going there. They’ve been so accommodating and excited about her attending that they even offered us a seat on their board of directors. I guess there’s been some suspicion that some students’ parents are getting kickbacks from the board for jobs. Sounds like a mess, but it could be worth looking into.” I shrugged my shoulder, playing dumb. “Have you heard anything about that?”
“Um, no. I haven’t. I’m glad they’re not letting it go.” He swallowed, his brow starting to sweat. “Do you know if they had any suspects?”
“Oh, yes, there was a list. Wasn’t there Wells?” I asked, looking at him in mock concern. “Wells is very involved with our children’s schooling. In fact, he might be the one to sit on the board.” I smiled, loving the teasing I could do to Wells.
“Yep, that’s me. All about education.” His words were gritted, but he smiled. I didn’t miss the slight elbow to my ribs he gave me.
“Wow, that’s so considerate of you. You know, now that you mentioned it. I definitely am free the week of your opening. I’ll make sure to have our best referees there and that no other fights are happening simultaneously, so there’s no mixup on people switching at the last second. I’ll even be there for the weigh-ins and checks myself. How does that sound?”
“That sounds amazing. What do you think, Wells?” I asked, turning to beam at him.
“I think it sounds like a much better situation than last time, one where I’ll definitely have no time to be on a board since I’ll be spending it training.”
“I’m sure the school will understand,” I said, mustering up some fake concern. Looking back at the man in front of us, I could tell he seemed relieved. We’d let him continue for now as long as it was in our favor and no one was getting hurt. But he was stupid if he thought that we wouldn’t keep an eye on him once we learned of his shady dealings.
“Well, it’s been great catching up with you, but I think I will call it an early night. Excuse me, fellas.” He nodded his goodbye and made his exit as we watched him go.
“Two down.” I kept my arm around Wells, testing how long he’d let me. Looking over, I waited for him to turn.
“What?” he asked, eyeing me.
Smiling, I shook my head. “Nothing. How’s Sunshine doing?” I asked, looking for him. Wells pointed in the other direction, and I found our golden boy schmoozing like the best of them with the judge.
“He was always better at getting people to like him than I was,” Wells mumbled, taking a swig of his drink.
“Nah. I think it’s more that you don’t waste your time on people you don’t deem worthy. Not the other way around.”
“What’s that say about you then?” he asked, looking into my eyes again. I bit my lip as I peered down at him. He was only an inch or so shorter than me, so our faces were very close at this angle.
“Obviously that you find me adorable and lovable.”
“Hmm, is that so? I think you’re more annoying than adorable.” His breath skated over me, and I held back the shiver that wanted to course down my spine.
“But you’re not denying the lovable?”
He paused, looking back and forth between my eyes. “No, I’m not.” His hand reached up, pulling my neck down to him, our lips meeting in a soft kiss. It was brief and over before I could do anything, but it had happened, and it meant something to me.
Smiling, I grabbed his hand, pulling him toward Monroe. “Let’s go see if we can wrap this up so we can stop Daddy Dearest and then have hot sex in the limo ride home.”
His steps faltered a little at my words, but he picked up the pace, pulling me toward Monroe quicker.
I spotted Dayton out of the corner of my eye, his sneer only making me smile more. It didn’t hurt that no one was talking to him, ignoring his big show of an entrance and going on about their business. It seemed like two things would be solidified when we left here tonight.
Dayton’s downfall only being the second best to Wells submitting to me.