Page 69 of Rubies and Revenge

Zarina looks her up and down with a hitch of annoyance in her brow. “Will Angie also lecture me the whole way?”

I bend over the back of the couch and find her lips for a goodbye peck. “Likely.”

“Fun,” she grumbles.

I kiss her again. “Be good.”

“No promises,” she sing-songs.

I mock sigh. “I’ll meet you at home.”

Without another glance back, I open the door and jerk my head to signal Pat inside. They rush past me as I descend the stairs into the chaos of the club. The kink demonstration is finished, and the crowd has moved onto the dance floor, over the couches, into the private rooms. Those dancing are barely doing so, their hands and lips doing far more than feeling the music. Someone’s tied to the spanking bench, a skirt scrunched up around their waist as their partner strikes their ass redder than a ripe apple.

I stride past it all, nodding when a soldier falls in behind me—a sarcastic woman named Carl. We ascend a second set of stairs that leads up to VIP suites and dungeons for rent. I rap my knuckles over a door and wait a few moments before it swings inward.

“Tamayo!” Logan greets me, fully dressed and arms wide in welcome. “What service your place has!”

“We aim to please.” I affect deference, dipping my chin slightly and shaking his hand. “Your car is ready for you.”

He claps me on the back, stepping out of the room.“And you’ve come to see me off?”

“Of course.”

“A true host!” He pulls the door shut and falls in-step beside me. “I’ll have to visit more often.”

“We’d love to have you,” I lie through my teeth as Carl and Logan’s security follow us downstairs. “I assume you were well-entertained?”

“Yes, of course, of course.” He double-checks his buttons are correctly aligned, his cuffs fastened. “I wish I could’ve stayed longer.”

“Perhaps next time.” I lead him out of the front door, his car waiting at the curb, and we slow to a stop beside it. Out of the corner of my eye, I spot Marcus angrily arguing with Darius and Gemma—a capo who weaponizes claw-like nails and makeup better than any gun—at the entry door, and I have to focus intensely on not laughing at him. Carl’s already aware, shooting Gemma a frown as I hand Logan a specific business card—one for the capo that manages the sex workers—and shake his hand again, the exchange seamless. “Thank you again, Logan.”

He doesn’t notice Marcus behind me, despite the fact he’s now charging over here. “It’s a pleasure doing business with you, Tamayo.”

“We’ll see you again soon.” I clap him on the back.

“You might not be able to get rid of me!” He winks, laughing at his own joke as if it’s the funniest thing in the world.

I force a chuckle and a smile and pettily hope the next few moments discourage him from ever returning. I gesture to his driver, waiting with the car door open, at the same moment Marcus calls Logan’s name.

Perfect.

I frown, like I don’t know who could possibly recognize Logan here, in this setting, and then the moment I turn, my face shifts into anger while my chest fills with warm satisfaction. Marcus’s expression is livid and also surprised. He might have had his suspicions, but he definitely didn’t think Loganwould actually be in bed with me, Andrea Tamayo, a lowly gangster.

Logan visibly pales as his mouth stretches into a fake, half-terrified smile. “Mr. Accardi!”

I almost snort. Almost. The man’s never shown anyone else the same overwrought respect of addressing them so formally. My hands slip into my pockets, and my shoulders affect a casual slouch. I’m still wearing my mask of anger with a hint of disgust.

“Logan? What are you doing here?” Marcus stops a few feet away, his people behind him.

Darius takes his place behind my right shoulder, Gemma at my left, Carl behind her. And we watch.

“Visiting a sponsor!” Logan chuckles nervously. “You know me, always looking to expand my votership.”

Marcus’s gaze penetrates deeper without any further explanation. “Father wants to have you round for dinner to discuss business.”

“Yes, yes, I got his message.” Logan hedges, hand on the door and feet shuffling away from us both. “It’s been a terribly busy day.”

Marcus looks directly at me. “I can see that.”

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