Chapter 15
Edie
“A glass of champagne, please, Dominic.” I settle onto the barstool, unfastening my blazer and letting it slide from my shoulders, folding it over the seat beside me.
Tonight, I keep my shoes on, hooking my heels over the stool’s rung and letting my hands linger on the polished wood.
The waistband of my skinny jeans digs into my belly, and a flash of heat rises up my chest and neck at the memory of Dorian palming my flesh there.
I’ve never felt more seductive or more womanly than I did at that moment.
Nodding, Dominic reaches for a glass hanging from the rack above him. “Nice to see you again…” His voice trails off as he waits patiently, though I can’t help but notice how his gaze travels over my bare shoulders, my strappy silk top revealing more skin than I’m used to showing.
“Edie,” I offer this time, smiling a little as I remember our last conversation.
He grins, uncorking a fresh bottle of champagne. Pouring me a glass, he slides it across the counter towards me. “Are you here celebrating another special occasion, or are you meeting someone?”
“I’m hoping to surprise a friend.”
“Mr Crow, I take it?” he asks.
“That obvious?” I throw back.
Dominic’s smile spreads into a wide grin. “Mr Crow cleared the bar the last time you were here to be alone with you. I guessed as much.”
“Do you happen to know if Dorian is home tonight?” I ask, taking a sip of champagne.
I would’ve texted him first, but despite taking my number, he hasn’t reached out to me, and I guess I decided to take a leaf out of his book and do a little stalking of my own.
“I don’t, but I’m sure Viktor will.”
I twist in my seat, smiling as Viktor approaches.
We didn’t get much chance to get to know each other during dinner, and whilst my sister took an instant dislike to him, I rather liked his warm countenance.
He seemed to take her constant digs in his stride and wasn’t at all offended by her caustic behaviour.
That earns him several gold stars in my book.
He’s also incredibly beautiful to look at, with a swathe of rebellious blonde hair, and intense grey eyes.
Yet despite his intimidating size, he oozes calm authority and, surprisingly, kindness.
“Good evening, Edie,” he says, pulling out a stool and taking a seat. “I’m surprised to see you here.”
“Are you?” I ask, cocking my head as he taps the bar. Moments later, a crystal glass appears, the scent of scotch lifting in the air as Dominic pours him a double. He nods his thanks, and Dominic quietly slips away, serving a couple at the far end of the bar.
“After dinner, I wasn’t certain we’d be seeing you again.”
“It was uncomfortable,” I admit. “Sybil was…”
“Unwelcoming?” he acknowledges.
“Well, yes. Anyway, I apologise we left so abruptly, and as for Elizabeth—”
“How is my ray of sunshine?” he interrupts.
I lift my brows. His ray of sunshine?
His twinkling grey eyes meet mine, and he laughs. “Apologies, that’s very overfamiliar. I just meant I’ve never met anyone like her before. She’s not afraid of speaking her mind or threatening a man with a blunt knife. I liked her, even though she wasn’t terribly fond of me.”
“Elizabeth is as protective of me as I am of her, and whilst you didn’t get to meet the best version of her, she really is a wonderful person.”
He nods, thoughtful. “I sensed that… So, to what do we owe the pleasure?” he asks after a beat.
“I was hoping to see Dorian, actually. Is he here?”
“No,” Viktor replies, shaking his head. “He’s still at the club. He’s there most nights. Would you like me to message him?”
I chew on my lip, my courage faltering. So far, it’s been Dorian chasing me, not the other way around, and a thread of unease settles within me. What if he’s only attracted to me because I’ve played hard to get? “Perhaps I’m being a little presumptuous.”
“Hardly. I’m sure he’ll drop everything to see you.”
I let out a rueful laugh. “Am I being foolish, Viktor?”
“What makes you say that?” he asks, cocking his head to the side as he regards me.
“I’m a forty-four-year-old woman, and he’s a beautiful, younger man who could have his pick of any—”
“Your age is irrelevant,” he replies, cutting me off. “Dorian is single-minded when it comes to what he wants, and believe me. He wants you.” There’s kindness in his tone, but also something else that feels like a warning. I’m not quite sure what to make of it.
“It’s only been a few days since we last saw each other. Maybe he’s already lost interest,” I admit, old insecurities bubbling up. I exhale, trying to steady myself.
“You’ve met up with Dorian since the night we had dinner?” Viktor asks.
“You’re surprised by that. Why?” I throw back.
“Normally, when Dorian is pursuing someone, he makes Logan and me aware. For his safety, of course.”
His answer leaves me reeling, unsure where to begin. “So, is this a habit of his? Chasing women?” I try to sound casual, but jealousy prickles beneath my words.
“Please don’t misunderstand me,” Viktor quickly says. “Dorian isn’t with anyone else. Rest assured, he is very much focused on you.”
“But he didn’t tell you he met with me last week.”
“Ordinarily, he would tell either Logan or me what his plans are.”
“And you think he needs protection from me? I can assure you, I’m no threat to Dorian unless he doesn’t like detentions.”
“Detentions?”
“I’m a primary school teacher.”
“Ah, I see.” Viktor grins. “Well, in that case, I think he could use a little punishment every now and then. It would do him a world of good.”
“You think?”
“Most definitely.”
I can’t help but smile as I finger the stem of my glass. “So, back to the safety aspect of Dorian meeting up with me and not telling you. Is he in danger of being harmed?”
“No, Dorian can look after himself.”
“Why does he need protecting, then? Is this to do with the fact that he’s a gangster?”
“You think he’s a criminal?”
“Isn’t he?”
“I suppose he could be viewed that way.” Viktor pauses, as though considering his words.
“There are certain aspects of Dorian’s business that toe the line of what’s socially acceptable, and over the years, he’s been forced to protect what he’s built.
He’s merely protective of his businesses and the people who work for him.
He has gained a reputation as a man you do not upset. ”
“I see,” I say, though the truth is murkier than ever. Unless I come right out and ask if Dorian’s done anything to warrant imprisonment, I may never grasp what he’s truly capable of. Maybe I don’t want to know. Some doors are better left unopened.
“Edie, I think—” Viktor’s phone vibrates with an incoming call, cutting him off.
Reaching into his jacket pocket, he pulls it free and swipes his thumb across the surface.
“Apologies, I need to take this.” Moving to his feet, he strides out of the bar, lingering by the door as he converses, his voice too low for me to overhear.
I take another sip of champagne, and by the time Viktor returns, my glass is empty.
“Another scotch?” Dominic asks as Viktor grabs my blazer and drapes it over his arm. “No, we’re done here for tonight.”
“We are?” I ask, flicking my gaze to Dominic, who just nods and takes my glass, swiping the counter clean.
“Dorian will be arriving in ten minutes. He wants me to escort you to another bar within the hotel. We have a pianist playing tonight, and he thought you might enjoy the performance,” Viktor says, motioning towards the exit, though I see a glimmer of concern in his gaze that pulls me up sharp.
“Do you think I should go home?”
“You have your own free will and the right to decide what you wish to do. I won’t stop you if you want to leave,” Viktor responds, waiting for me to decide.
“Will Dorian be okay with that?”
“It’s unlikely.”
“And if I leave, will you get into trouble?”
“If you mean by trouble, will I be punished? Then no. Though he might attempt to remove one of my fingers.”
“What?” I exclaim.
Viktor chuckles. “I’m sorry. I couldn’t resist.”
“Funny,” I reply, heaving out a breath as I stand.
I’m not a short woman, and in heels I’m nearing 5'11, but next to Viktor I feel incredibly short. He’s physically imposing, and yet unlike Dorian and Logan, he has an innate softness to him, a kindness that seeps through every word and action.
It makes me wonder how he came to work for Dorian.
“So, what’s it to be? Are you staying or are you going?”
Chewing on my lip, I hesitate. The sensible side of me tells me to leave.
I’m not in love with Dorian, but admittedly, I’m beginning to feel things that I haven’t felt in a long time, and that’s more than a little disconcerting.
On the other hand, this is the first time that I’ve experienced the true depth of a man’s desire for me.
It’s addictive, and I’m not sure I want to give that up just yet.
So I don’t.
“I’m staying,” I eventually say.
“Very well. Follow me.”
Viktor leads me to a dimly lit room at the back of the hotel.
In the corner sits a grand piano, its sleek black surface glinting in the soft overhead light.
An older man sits behind it, his fingers gliding over the keys as he plays a classical piece I can’t name, but recognise.
A few small round tables are placed around the space, black velvet chairs tucked beneath them.
On each table there’s a single flickering candle, and the air is scented with polish and wood smoke coming from the open fire in the corner of the room.
Aside from me, Viktor and the pianist, the room is empty.
“I thought the pianist was performing tonight. Where is everyone else?”
“He is, and you and Dorian are his audience,” Viktor replies, guiding me to the table situated in the far corner of the room. He pulls out a chair, and I sit, thanking him.
“Just us?”
“For the next hour, yes. He isn’t due to play for the hotel guests until later,” he explains. “Can I get you a drink whilst you wait? He should be here shortly.”
“No, thank you.”