It was true. I hadn’t really stepped out in a while. Killing my father had done something to me. Changed how I moved. I wasn’t out for fun like I used to be. My mind had been on legacy, rebuilding, fixing all the shit Silas left behind. Partying hadn’t been on the agenda.
But The Gilded Cage was a chill spot. Grown and sexy. And if Rollo and Abra were going, it’d be good to catch up.
I nodded. “Yeah. I’ll slide.”
The rest of the day flew by in a storm of meetings, phone calls, and half-assed emails that shouldn’t have made it to my desk in the first place. I had interns who couldn’t spell “logistics,” department heads asking questions they should’ve had answers to, and two supplier issues with the vineyard that needed to be handled yesterday.
By the time I finally leaned back in my chair and rubbed my temples, my phone buzzed again.
Message from Boaz Haim.
Him: She’s perfect. A true queen. She’s already eating raw like a champ. You got taste, my friend. I’ll need something else from you soon.
I stared at the message for a beat, jaw tight. He was talkin’ about the tiger, but my mind wasn’t on the animal.
It was on her.
The Virgin.
I hadn’t stopped thinking about her since I left that goddamn compound. The way she moved, soft but self-contained. That scent—like something sacred and pure. The way her eyes lookedthrough me like she already knew who I was, what I’d done, and still wasn’t afraid.
She didn’t speak, but somehow she said everything.
And now? She was stuck in that house with a man who collected women like ornaments. A man who wore Versace robes and smelled like cancer and rot.
I had to see her again.
And Boaz gave me an “in”. He needs something else.
I picked up my phone and replied.
Me: What do you need?
Boaz: Am albino Capuchin.
Me: I’ll see what I can do. I need to come by again to check out your land to make sure it’ll be hospitable for them. You might have to get rid of certain plants that can be poisonous and plant new things for the monkey.
I was lying out of my teeth and I was hoping that he didn’t pick up on it. The truth is, I wanted to see much more of his compound. And also see her.
Boaz: Wonderful. I’ll be in touch about when we can make that happen.
Me: Aight.
I needed to get over there before my brother and I met. The next time he and I sat down I needed to have a plan.
My phone lit up again. This time? Shari.
I smirked before I even picked up.
“I thought you were done with me,” I said as I answered.
She sighed on the other end. “I just wanted to say I’m sorry for storming out the other day. I was just in my feelings. You embarrassed me.”
“You embarrassed yourself,” I said flatly. “But I forgive you.”
There was silence. I knew she was biting her tongue.
“I still want to see you,” she said.