IWALKAWAYFROMmy daughter and her ex, but stay close enough in case I need to step in again. Tawny wraps her arm through the crook of mine and drags me off to the side. I cringe from her touch, my jaw sets, and my teeth grind.
“How do they know each other?” Tawny asks in a whisper, walking in front of me so I have to look at her instead of our daughter.
I chuckle. “If you took as much interest in your kids as you do in who’s between your legs”—I smile—“you might know a thing or two about them.”
The color drains from her face at her mistake. She doesn’t know that Banagher came to me about her field trip. I have kept that to myself.
Banagher chews on his cigar. He called me to Insatiable to have a talk, and I’m not surprised to find him balls deep in one of my dancers. I am still wrapping my head around the little blonde who yelled at me as I walk into my own club.
It is my fault. It has been a while since I have been here, trusting Donovan to handle business before his “takeover.” There are a lot of new dancers here now, though, and since I am still running my empire, I should make myself known here.
I cannot deny that having a small woman yell at me made my dick hard, and staring at my friend half naked only moments later does nothing for the ache in my balls.
“Found out some interesting things about your precious wife. Does the surname Martinez ring any bells?” My spine snaps straight, and a vicious smirk cracks along his face at my reaction. “Thought it might,” he says dismissively.
I shove away the thoughts of walking out the room and finding Chantelle to fix the case of blue balls I am bound to get and pay attention.
“What the fuck are you talking about?”
He chuckles and stands, puffing on his cigar like we have all the time in the world. “I’ve known you a long time, Nate. I know you keep information close, especially when it comes to your wife.”
I do not answer. I just stare silently, willing him to get the fuck on with it before I strangle him.
“There have been rumors that you keep her on a leash—”
“A loose one,” I add, not diving further into what goes on between my wife and me.
He tsks. “She’s said to not be able to leave the house without someone to watch her. Smart man,” he praises, and I scoff. “Caine and I were called to meet with Tawny about this ball she’s having for Malia. Turns out, she’s been meeting with all the suitors to see who could offer her protection from you. A way out.” He smiles. “Her payment is your daughter’s hand and, of course, the perks of power that come with the Olin name.”
I’ve always known that woman is all kinds of fucked up. That much is clear with how she’s treated our children, Malia especially. I know she wants to get rid of Malia, but for her own freedom?
“What does Martinez have to do with any of this?” I growl.
Banagher comes to a stop in front of me and places a hand on my shoulder. The gesture is meant to be friendly, but this conversation has me on alert.
He gives me a soft smile. “Whoever wants your baby girl, and who she feels will be the most beneficial to her, will get her. Whether you agree or not. Do you understand?”
My heart hammers in my chest. I understand perfectly. To save herself, Tawny is working with Martinez. If I do not agree to a husband for Malia, then Tawny will work with Martinez to underhand me.
The memory thickens my throat as my wife stares at me, trying to put pieces together. She fucked up going to Banagher, hoping that even though we do business together she could offer something sweeter. Tawny had no idea of Caine and Malia’s relationship all those years ago.
I reach out and lift her chin, forcing her to look at me. Satisfaction fills me when I see her swallow through the fear she is no doubt feeling right now. She will give me all the answers on Martinez, but right now, she needs to sweat it out. I will finally bring him down; I just need a little more patience to play this right.
“Go drink some arsenic, dear, would you?” I smile when Tawny’s mouth drops open.
I push past her and straighten my suit jacket, walking toward a wildcat stalking his prey.
“Lion.” I smile, but he makes no move to acknowledge my presence. I know he has his eyes trained on Caine, ready to pounce.
“Who is he?” Akila asks, jerking her head in the direction of Caine. I see Lion’s body physically relax when she speaks, but her voice has the opposite effect on me.
I lean against the wall, also keeping an eye on the situation. I would not be mad if she killed him right now. It would be messy, sure, but I think she has earned that right. Especially for the reason he showed up tonight.
Lion mimics me and leans back as well. “Malia’s ex,” he clips. “It’s a long story, doll.”
She nods, accepting his answer as enough. I admire a woman who does not poke and prod at things that are not her business. Elijah had said Akila and Malia bonded throughout the time she was in New York. I find it hard to believe, knowing my daughter as well as I do, but I am happy that she opened herself up during a time she was shutting down. I thank Lion for that because if he were not there for her once again, she would rip through anyone that looked at her.
It is not much, but it is progress. Even I can admit the growth I have seen in Malia since Liam came into the picture. She is becoming exactly what I need her to be to take over.