Chapter 40
Leon
Alex and I get into a comfortable rhythm of cohabitating and sex.
I’m in charge of taking Persephone on her walks; but she puts out her food and water.
I make us lunch, and she eats every meal, sometimes even in the same room as me.
I stick to my office until a buzzing sound hits my ears, acting like red to a bull.
Most of the time, she doesn’t even use it as a toy, but as a signal to lure me in, and, fuck, it works like a charm.
Every time, after we’re both spent and satisfied, she repeats the same thing. This means nothing before sending me out of the room. The sex is mind-blowing, but the sendoff makes me feel like shit. Luckily, the next step in the plan I made is finally coming together.
Just as I confirm the last few details, a call sounds from my phone. It’s my official phone, not the one I use for the less legal parts of the business. The caller is hidden so I let it ring for a minute before answering.
“Petrovic,” the tense voice says the ‘?’ like a ‘k’. It doesn’t take me long to figure out I’m talking to the mayor.
“Yes?” I don’t say his name aloud.
“I did what you asked me to. It took a hell of a lot of effort, but I got you a meeting.” Fuck yeah. “Tonight.”
Shit. I mull it over for a second, caught between two fires.
This is a chance to get our business back.
To get revenge for our father and to get everything back on track.
But there’s no way I could reschedule what I have planned for Alex tonight.
“Can’t do tonight,” I respond, the decision filling me with calm.
“What?” I guess I’m the only calm one in this conversation. “What do you mean, you can’t tonight? I had to cash in a bunch of favors to even put this on the table.” His voice is so screechy, my face winces and my hand instinctively pulls the phone away from my ear.
“I told you. Tonight doesn’t work. I could do tomorrow night.”
“Great. I’m so glad to hear that. I will move heaven and Earth again, and you just let me know if something comes up. A pedicure or whatever the reason is you can’t come tonight.”
I roll my eyes at his theatrics. “I think you’re forgetting you’re not doing this for the good of your heart. You’re doing this because I’m holding you by the balls. So you will move the meeting to tomorrow, or any other day, for that matter, and you’ll let me know the time and the place.”
He inhales a sharp breath, practically hissing, but he doesn’t say another word. Instead, he murmurs, “Fine” and drops the call.
Relief whooshes out of me in a long breath. This could be it. If I play this right, this could settle things down. I can’t bring our father back, but Luka could come home. He could work on his club while I continue with the casinos.
Just a couple of months ago, that was all I wanted.
But tonight, forced to choose between surprising Alex or saving the family business, I chose Alex.
Kind of like Luka did with Sophie.
Since I made my choice, I better focus on getting her to trust me again.