I look out over the crowd of people, most of whom Max, Rowan, and I have known for years. Community leaders, elected officials, mom-and-pop business owners, high-rollers. We know them all.
“For the most part, Lu, yes,” I say matter-of-factly.
“Are they… dangerous? Are we in danger?” she asks with wide eyes.
Fuck if I’d let anything happen to her. If she doesn’t know that yet, she soon will.
“There are times, Lu, when things get dangerous. Now is not one of them. Everyone is getting along fine, business is perking along. But keep in mind that, no matter what happens, I will never, ever let anything happen to you. Nor will Max or Rowan.”
I run a finger down her temple, then caress her cheek with my palm. With a finger under her chin, I lift her face to mine. “You are special to me, Lu. Very special. Same with the other guys.” I bend to kiss her and after a moment of hesitation, she melts into me, her hand wandering up to my chest while I pull her to me, my hand on the small of her back. When I stop, she sighs.
We’ve been interrupted.
“Hey, you bastard.”
We whip around to see Rowan grinning, ear to ear.
“Hi,” Lu says.
Rowan takes her hand and starts to lead her away. “You know I love you, Grey, but you can’t bogart our girl all night. I’ve got to have a couple spins on the dance floor with her before it’s too late.”
She laughs and hands me her champagne, leaving me standing there, looking after her, like a goddamn teenage boy at his first dance.
* * *
CHAPTERFIFTEEN
LUCI
I’m lyingif I don’t admit the whole evening at Greyson’s is one big rush of emotion, from being nervous, to flattered that the guys want me all to themselves, to finding out I’m surrounded by likely criminals, to spending a night of delicious, sinful passion with Max, Rowan, and Greyson.
It’s scary, confusing, and exhilarating. I don’t understand how or why I feel this way.
I also feel like a sinner… and an angel at the same time. When I’m with these guys, I’m smart, beautiful, seductive, desirable. And I do terrible, dirty things.
So much so that these handsome, rich men want me all to themselves.
Although there’s the small detail of what they do for a living. I’m not sure yet how to reconcile that. Maybe I never will.
When I wake up the next morning in Greyson’s house, the guys are gone. I would have loved to laze around in bed for half the day, like some sort of lady of leisure, but today’s my day off from Club Sin, and I have to get in as much study time as possible. Plus, I’m meeting Charleigh later at our favorite coffee shop.
So, on the drive home, in the crappy little car I parked a couple blocks from Greyson’s, I replay the evening like a movie reel on loop, pausing at certain highlights.
After meeting the guys who Greyson refers to as the Bratva Brothers, Rowan sweeps me away for a dance, followed by Max. The guys don’t let me spend a moment alone the whole evening, and while some of the women there look me up and down with disdain—I guess I’m just not as glamorous as they are—I’ve never felt so special. My cheeks ache from smiling. The arms around my waist, the hands that grip mine, the fingers that brush the thin silk covering my behind, and the lips that touch my cheek are casual and yet intentional, off-hand but deliberate, like we’ve known each other forever. And yet each touch is achingly unique, confusingly new.
They cast some sort of spell over me. Just like my mother said the sinners would, if I were not careful.
Guess she was right.
And I couldn’t be more excited about it. A whole new world has opened up for me and I plan to gobble up every last morsel of affection these guys have to offer, for as long as it lasts.
Because it won’t last. I’m certain of it.
After the last guest leaves, Greyson crooks his finger in my direction. I kick off my high heels and follow him, with Max and Rowan just behind. I don’t know what they have in store for me, but my senses are buzzing in preparation for the surprises they always deliver.
In spite of all I’ve done with the guys, I am struck with shyness on entering Greyson’s bedroom. There is something so intimate about being in an actual home, specifically someone’s bedroom, as opposed to the Club, which I hadn’t realized has an air of the impersonal about it. In the club, I was to remainsomewhatdetached from the guys. Seeing them in their element provides an entirely new perspective.
It's a bit like meeting them all over again. I am grateful for the opportunity to see them this way, and I want to show it.