Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 68858 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 344(@200wpm)___ 275(@250wpm)___ 230(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 68858 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 344(@200wpm)___ 275(@250wpm)___ 230(@300wpm)
The two women at the pole continued their performance, their movements fluid and practiced, but to me, the scene felt more like a display of power than anything else. The others seemed relaxed, indulging in the party favors laid out before them, but there was always a sense of alertness, a readiness to shift from leisure to business at a moment’s notice.
Elias turned to Mateo with a grin, breaking the casual chatter. “So, what’s the plan for the evening, brother?”
Mateo’s expression darkened slightly, though a smile still played on his lips. “Let’s just say tonight is about sealing the deal.” His gaze slid over to me, making it clear that the deal in question was far more than just a business arrangement.
I could feel Peyton and Melody’s eyes on me, both of them silently questioning what Mateo meant by that, but I wasn’t sure either. As more men in suits arrived, I was introduced to each one with a quick exchange of pleasantries. Their names blurred together in my mind, only a few standing out because I could sense they were important--DeRosa, Barron, Caruso, and Thanatos.
The women on the pole were now completely nude, their movements a hypnotic blend of sensuality and detachment as they danced to the music thumping through overhead speakers. Another woman was draped across Angel's lap as he joined the other men--including Peyton--for a card game.
He wasn’t paying her any attention. His gaze kept coming back to Melody, who sat beside me with a composed expression, speaking naturally, though I could see the tension in her eyes. It felt like we were there to be nothing more than beautiful trophies, left on display while the others’ focus divided between the cards in their hands and the display of flesh across the room.
Feeling the buzz from the alcohol and the nagging worry at the back of my mind about missing my medicine, I told Melody I needed to move. She wordlessly followed my lead, and we wandered to the glass window that overlooked the club below, a world away from the opulence and danger that surrounded me.
“This isn’t what I thought it would be,” she said quietly.
“Me either, but I think that’s a good thing.”
“Oh, it is.”
I looked down at the club, still full of people dancing, drinking, and losing themselves in the night.
Many of them were aware of the empire their money was fueling. Mateo’s brilliant laundering front was in full swing, every dollar spent on drinks and entertainment feeding into the dark machine that kept this world turning.
And then my thoughts turned to Eva.
My beautiful, reckless sister. She would have fit right in down there, laughing, drinking, helping to deplete the powder supply, and deciding which beautiful man she would take to bed that night. I missed her more than I thought I ever could. She’d only been gone for a moment, but it felt like a lifetime.
I found myself wishing for the oblivion that the people below were chasing. Anything to numb the pain of losing her, of being here, of the life I was now a part of. I took a deep breath, trying to steady the whirlwind of emotions swirling inside me.
“I’m right here with you, El,” Melody said softly, as if sensing the direction of my thoughts.
“And I can’t thank you enough.” I turned back to face the room. The men were still engrossed in their game, the women still dancing, and Mateo… Mateo was watching me from across the room.
I faced the other way again and nudged Melody with my arm. “You know you have eyes on you?”
She scoffed loud enough that it carried over the music. “Yeah. That’s a long story that requires at least four more glasses of liquor.”
“Then it’s a good thing we’ve got plenty,” Mateo’s voice came from behind us. His large hands landed on my waist, grounding me in the here and now. “Come with me,” he murmured in my ear.
I glanced over my shoulder, meeting his gaze. “But what about Melody and Peyton?”
“They will be fine. Come.”
He released my waist, taking my hand instead, his thumb brushing over the ring he’d placed there not long ago. Without another word, he led me from the room, leaving the intoxicating mix of opulence and debauchery behind. We didn’t take the lift. Instead, he turned a corner, approaching a solid, glossy door guarded by a man who quickly stepped aside to grant us access. We entered a private hallway, the noise of the club fading into the background, replaced by the soft hum of luxury.
Mateo guided me through a set of double doors, and I found myself in a room unlike anything I’d ever seen. Gold gleamed from every surface, from the countertops to the ceiling, the richness of the décor overwhelmed my senses. The space was a testament to extravagance, yet it was the view that truly captivated me—Vice City laid out in all its nighttime glory, framed by the massive windows.