Page 103 of Tempted By the Devil

“You could’ve been by my side,” Lincoln goes on. “You know that, right? But I guess it’s no difference to you. You’re dating that Cauldron guy, aren’t you? Some billionaire blah, blah, blah. You know how dangerous he is, don’t you? Not that you care. His bank account is more important. Doesn’t surprise me. You’ve always been money hungry. How could I compete?”

I snap out of my dream-like reverie and shake my head. “And what money was I hungry for when I was married to you? You had none.Iwas your bank, remember? Good night, Lincoln.”

He goes to grab at me a second time, but I’m faster escaping his advances. I sidle away, among the others wandering the roped off VIP space. The next time I throw a subtle glance over my shoulder, he’s given up altogether and returned to his table of potential investors.

Thank god.

That was… strange. And unexpected.

I’m on the verge of throwing in the towel and calling tonight a dud.

I found a dealer for Nectar, but I’m no closer to drawing connections between the hot new psychedelic in demand and any of the crime families involved.

I might as well have stayed home in my sleep shirt and fuzzy slippers, binge-watching the latest Netflix drama on the couch with Jayla.

At least I’d be comfortable and my feet wouldn’t be aching like a bitch.

I’m scanning the floor for the quickest escape route when a deep part in the crowd forms. People break away from each other as a man and his followers stride through VIP.

Sergio Sacrimoni, presumably the new capo after Luigi’s untimely execution, enters the VIP section of U4EA like he owns the place. His trout mouth is dipped into an even more severe frown than usual, his thick brow just as creased.

I bow my head at the last possible second in hopes he or any of his men won’t notice me.

It’s been a while since our impromptu run-in at Bocca, but Sergio had been no different from Luigi with his staring problem. He could easily recognize me if he happens to look in my direction.

Tonight it seems he has other things on his mind.

He strides the rest of the way through VIP, disappearing down a hall in the back. I’d guess he’s headed to speak to the club owner since that’s where the management area seems to be.

It’s an itch I can’t scratch—my curiosity that grows inside me like a rising tide. Fully aware it’s dangerous and possibly stupid, I’m a journalist for a reason. The unknown bothers me, and I hate leaving stones unturned.

I can’t go home when the Tucos have entered the building.

Something is up and I’m going to get to the bottom of it.

“Just a peek,” I whisper to myself.

I’m quick enough that in a few rushed steps, I’m starting down the same hall. The last door on the left is open. The door to the club owner’s office. Their voices spill out into the hall as well as the light from inside. I shrink into the shadows, flattening myself against the wall, my ears strained for every word.

“We had your word, Milos!” roars Sergio. “And you go and backstab us for him? You think that was smart?”

“No… p-please… he th-threatened me…” his voice shakes before it breaks off altogether.

“Am I supposed to give a shit? This was supposed to be our sales floor, our product! Get up. Get the fuck up!”

I flinch at the sheer fury entrenched in Sergio’s command. If I’m shaken eavesdropping from the hall outside, I can only imagine the club owner Milos having to be surrounded by Sergio and his men.

“W-where are you taking me?” Milos sputters. “Please!”

“Where do you think? Straight to the source! You know where his operation is. That’s where you’ll take us. So we can all have a nice little friendly meet up. Sounds like fun, don’t it?”

My heart practically stops as suddenly Sergio and his men emerge from the office. But once again they’re too preoccupied with the business they’re handling to notice me several feet away. They turn down the opposite end of the hall, shoving open the emergency exit doors and dragging a sobbing and sweating Milos with them.

I have only a split second to make up my mind.

I rush out of the same rear exit to hail a taxi and follow the black Escalades they’ve just sped off in.

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