26. Leo

Chapter twenty-six

Leo

L ines of SUVs and opulent cars crowd the entryway drop-off, one after another, with chauffeurs depositing their guests and then driving away. Asher brings our SUV to a stop at the entrance, and Scarlett, Mauro, Madeleine, and I exit. Vin, Alex, and our mother make their way out of the following vehicle.

Vin straightens his jacket and rocks his neck from side to side. Looking between Mauro, Alex, and me, he asks, “Everyone ready?”

We all give a quick nod before Vin turns away, holding his arm out for our mother.

Coming around the vehicle, I find Scarlett smoothing down the satin fabric of her red dress. Her blonde waves cascade down her back as the tight fabric molds against every single one of her curves, stealing my breath. She’s fucking stunning.

“How do I look?”

I lick my bottom lip, my hand reaching out to wrap around the side of her neck. My lips ghost over her ear, my tongue sneaking out. “You look like a goddamn queen.” I press a kiss to the side of her neck. “ My queen.” I hear a small gasp slip between her lips and look closely to find her pupils dilated.

“Tonight?” she breathes.

“Tonight,” I answer, tucking a piece of hair behind her ear before kissing her forehead. I intertwine our fingers and lead the way to the entrance with my family by my side. As we step through the archway, eyes land on us. Some are in awe. Some are in fear. But we don’t have time to examine as we make our way toward the main room.

“Three o’clock,” Alex mutters.

My eyes dart to my side, where I see Igor Vasiliev approaching along with a few of his guards. I tuck Scarlett closer to my side and notice Vin stepping in front of Madeleine.

A fake smile plasters its way onto Igor’s decrepit face. “Ah, the Alaries. I did not expect to be seeing you tonight. You do not usually attend such events.”

“We heard they have the best crème br?lée in the area and thought we would try for ourselves,” Vin declares with an amused grin.

Madeleine snorts and quickly recovers, examining her manicured nails.

“Hmm…” Igor hums, his eyes resting on my mother. “Cecilia. It is always a pleasure.” He puts his hand out, palm up, awaiting her hand as he does a slight bow.

She merely stares at it in disdain. “I wish I could say the same.”

He straightens, quickly pulling his hand to his side. The corners of his lips turn down in displeasure. “Now, I see where your children get their manners from.” His cold eyes dart between me and Vin.

“Oh, so you’ve noticed we don’t care for you, yet you still make a show of yourself to gain my attention.” She tilts her head, her smile growing.

“Well, I never,” he mutters, appalled. “This doesn’t appear to be the time or place to make a scene, so I will take my leave.” He briskly walks away, his guards trailing closely behind him, appearing bored out of their minds.

“This way,” Vin directs, leading us toward a table. We all take our seats, and I slide my arm around the back of Scarlett’s chair as my eyes scope out the room. There is too much evil in one space. Political figures and billionaires all with hidden agendas and secrets that would destroy them if they ever got out. Secrets that many of them know we hold over them like a dog with its bone. How many of these fuckers have a Blue Velvet Fantasies card in their wallet?

But we brought the girls because we knew leaving them at home would make us look even more suspicious for being here without them. We didn’t exactly tell them why we had decided to accept our invites, and I have no intention of unveiling that because I don’t need to add any additional stress to Scarlett.

Just before the first course is served, we hear the familiar tapping of crystal glassware and look to the front of the room, where Governor Garrett Johnson stands proudly before his audience.

“Good evening.” His conniving smile makes me sick, especially knowing how fucked up he is. The shit we’ve found on him… I grimace just thinking about it. “I’m so honored that you could join me and my wife tonight for what I hope is a night you will never forget.” As he drones on and on about how successful his last four years in office have been and the promises he makes to the voters if he’s reelected, I notice Igor slip from his seat, heading down a back hall toward the restroom.

“Alex.” I tilt my head in that direction, and he catches the sight of Igor right before disappearing.

“On it.” He discreetly slinks out of his seat, hiding in the shadows while he moves in the same direction.

I focus my attention on Garrett, who continues his ramblings as I try to appear as if my brother isn’t in the process of dropping a tiny, undetectable microphone into the pocket of our enemy.

Scarlett places her hand on my thigh, and I bring my hand over hers. She leans closer to me, still keeping her eyes on the front of the room. “Is it just me, or does he like listening to the sound of his own voice?”

I laugh as I kiss the top of her head.

A few minutes later, Igor returns to his seat, but Alex is nowhere in sight. I check my watch, observing the seconds tick on, and just as I’m about to get up and search for him, he slides into his seat beside me.

“What took so long?” I ask, noting a hint of fury in his eyes.

He shakes his head. “Nothing.” He straightens his tie and takes a deep breath before handing me a tiny earpiece. Inching closer, so only I can hear him, he says, “It’s all set. I slipped it in his pocket while I reached over him for a paper towel. He wasn’t too fond of my close proximity.” He smirks. “Put this in your ear.” He turns to his side and gives Mauro and Vin one as well. “Tap the button on the side when you’re ready to listen.”

We all give a slight nod, aware that the last thing we need is to draw attention to ourselves.

Garrett wraps up his speech and approaches his seat as servers appear, carrying the first course.

“Who’s that?” Alex asks, his eyes narrowed in on a petite blonde walking timidly over toward Garrett and taking her seat beside him. Garrett gives her a hard stare, a flicker of anger taking over his features, but just as soon as it appears, it’s gone. Once again, he’s masked in a pleasant smile, making small talk with his constituents around him.

“That poor girl,” Mother murmurs. She sighs, cutting into her salad. “That’s his wife, Charlotte. Whenever I see her from afar with him, she appears afraid of her own shadow. I wish I could help her.”

Alex’s knuckles around his butter knife whiten. “He abuses her?”

Scarlett tucks herself into my side, her eyes downcast. I kiss her temple, running my thumb over the back of her hand.

“There’s been no confirmation,” Mother starts. “But it doesn’t take an expert to spot the signs. Look at her.”

“I am.” Alex’s eyes focus only on her back from across the room.

I snap my fingers before his gaze, and he blinks a few times, coming back to the present. “Remember, we need to stay discreet tonight.”

He nods, looking down at his plate. “I know,” he says, spreading the butter a bit too roughly on his dinner roll.

Madeleine takes a sip of her drink, her obnoxiously bright engagement ring flashing from the overhead lights. God, I can’t wait until that ring is off her finger. I don’t care if she pawns it or throws it into the ocean, but mark my words, that ring will be gone. Along with her fiancé.

Vin’s eyes catch on mine as if thinking the same thing.

Mauro grunts, gaining our attention, and we follow his gaze.

Garrett heads our way with a beaming smile, most likely assuming that we’re here to invest in his campaign. But he’ll find out the second we leave that we only came for the free dinner.

“The Alaries.” Garrett clasps his hands together, his eyes taking us all in. “What a pleasant surprise.”

Mother plays her part perfectly. “Governor Johnson, we were so delighted to receive your invite for this evening. It has really been too long.”

“It has,” he agrees. “I’ve been so busy with the campaign and my new wife that the time has just slipped by.” A greasy smile spreads over his face as he slides a hand over his slicked-back blond hair. “She’s got a mind of her own, that one. Have to keep her on a tight leash,” he jokes.

Alex drops his fork on his plate, his jaw clenching. I nudge his leg with my knee, and he relaxes, donning a tight smile. I’m sure the only thing making him smile is knowing how fast he can ruin this man’s life from his computer.

“Understandable,” Vin muses, appearing to agree with the idiot when he’s merely just placating him.

“Ah.” Garrett eyes Scarlett, his eyes darkening. “And who do we have here?”

A fire erupts within my veins, fury swirling beneath my skin.

Placing my hand on top of Scarlett’s, my thumb resting over her wedding band, I clench my jaw. “My wife,” I enunciate. “Scarlett Alarie.”

Garrett’s smile widens as he dips his head. “It’s truly a…pleasure to meet you.”

There’s a hidden meaning in his words, and I fight the unrelenting impulse to jump up and strangle him until he’s nothing more than a lifeless public figure.

Scarlett merely smiles, turning her hand over to intertwine our fingers. Catching me by surprise, she leans into me, slowly and seductively capturing my lips with hers. It instantly calms my bloodthirsty mind while also immediately making me unhinged with lust.

“Well,” Garrett murmurs, clearing his throat. “Eat up. Enjoy the food and tonight’s entertainment. I have some exotic dancers appearing soon to put on a show, which you won’t want to miss.”

“Oh, we won’t.” Vin gives him his smuggest smile, and we all watch as Garrett turns and makes his way from table to table before eventually reaching Igor’s. The four of us discreetly tap our earpieces. A rustling sound floats over the voices, and I realize it’s probably the fabric from his pocket. Thankfully, it’s not enough to completely drown out their voices.

My eyes fix on the scene across the room as I eat.

“Everything all squared away for the auction?” Garrett murmurs. “No loose ends left untied?”

Igor grips Garrett’s shoulder with one hand and hands him a familiar black card with the other. “Opening night is guaranteed to be a success. The fresh shipment will arrive that morning.”

Garrett quickly scans the card and then slides it into his jacket pocket.

“All the information you need is on there,” Igor says. “Shall we expect your attendance? I’m certain we’ll have something that will meet your particular tastes.”

Garrett nods as if listening to Igor tell him about the weather. “I will do my best. But what about the Alaries?”

Igor scoffs. “They won’t be a problem. They have no inclination about what’s been going on right under their noses. Too busy with their latest addition to the family. Especially Leonardo.”

Garrett chuckles. “She is quite the looker. Can’t say I blame him. Although, I would love a taste for myself.” He rubs his chin, deep in thought. “Do you think he’d let me fuck her for the right price?”

Their laughter rumbles through the room.

And I lose all of my control, unable to stop myself.

I force back my chair and stand, the flimsy piece of wood with four legs collapsing to the ground, casting all eyes on me.

Vin puts himself between me and the aisle toward Igor’s table, grasping a firm hand on my shoulder. “Don’t,” he warns gravely.

My chest heaves with too much force. I yank on my collar, needing air. I feel on the verge of a murderous rampage.

Something soft and warm touches my hand, and I glance down to see Scarlett looking up at me with furrowed brows. Her bright blue eyes latch onto mine, seeking answers I can’t give her. At least not right now.

I let out a deep breath, bringing my hand to her cheek. Our eyes lock, a silent conversation occurring between us as we take our seats.

The voices in my ear resume, and my eyes latch onto the two most prominent monsters in this room. Garrett clasps his hand on Igor’s shoulder. “We’ll be in touch.” And then he walks away, taking a seat at the following table to schmooze.

Fuck. We need that card.

My brothers and I look at each other. Deep in thought, Vin scratches a hand over his facial hair, his eyes moving to our sister. “Madeleine?”

“Yes?”

“Come with me. I need you to do me a favor.” His eyes dip to the drink in her hand. “And bring that with you.”

She rolls her eyes but places her napkin on the table and stands, trailing our brother with her drink in hand.

We intently watch as he walks toward Garrett’s table, whispering something in Madeleine’s ear. She looks up at him questionably but then gives a shrug and follows his lead. As they approach his table, the two of them wear wide smiles, letting out laughs as they strike up a conversation with Garrett. He falls into their trap as Madeleine places her hand on his shoulder, gifting him all her undivided attention and laughing at everything he says.

As Vin rears back in boisterous laughter, he swings his arms out and knocks Madeleine’s drink onto Garrett, who looks aghast at his stained shirt. Madeleine grabs the closest napkin and starts dabbing at the liquid on his shirt, only making it worse. A few of the staff members block my line of sight. But after a couple of minutes, Vin and Madeleine walk away, heading straight for our table.

“I don’t know why you had me go through all that trouble for this.” Madeleine removes a black business card from the front of her dress and hands it to Vin. “But here.”

Vin takes it, glancing at both sides, and then looks at me, Alex, and Mauro with a shit-eating grin.

“We have the address?” I ask.

“We have the address,” he confirms triumphantly.

We have a location.

We have a date.

Everything is falling together just as it should be.

Scarlett peeks up at me. “Address for what?”

I brush her hair over her shoulder, admiring everything about her. From her sapphire blue eyes, soft pink lips, and sweet smile. “Nothing for you to worry about.”

She purses her lips, her brows drawing together. “It has to do with…Le Diable, doesn’t it?”

“It does.” I won’t lie to her. I’ll never lie to her. But I’ll only ever tell her what she needs to know. Nothing more than that, in fear of what it might do to her. “But I don’t want you to worry about it.” I glance at everyone around the table. “I’d say we got what we came here for. Is everyone ready to call it a night?”

Scarlett’s bottom lip juts out. “But we haven’t even had dessert yet.”

“Yeah, I want my crème br?lée,” Madeleine protests.

I place my lips next to Scarlett’s ear so only she can hear me when I say, “The only dessert I want tonight is you.”

Scarlett’s porcelain cheeks turn a deep shade of pink, her eager eyes widening as her lips part.

Madeleine makes a gagging noise. “I don’t even want to know what you just said to her.”

“You’re right,” Vin starts, chuckling, rising from his seat. “You don’t.” He reaches a hand for Madeleine. “Come on. I’ll buy you your very own crème br?lée on the way home.”

Madeleine practically jumps from her seat, beaming like a child in a candy store, which makes me laugh.

Taking my wife’s hand, I lead her out of this place of sin, intending to worship every inch of her body tonight.

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