Page 17 of Gluttony

“That tent in your pants have anything to do with why you were gone for half an hour and our assistant hasn’t returned?” Orion smirks and Hayes shakes his head while looking to the sky as if it holds all the answers.

“I said no fucking.”

“Pull the stick outta your arse, big brother, I didn’t…yet.” I lightly nudge him, chuckling along with Orion. “I did see the don’s wife and sister, though. Looks like our Little Rabbit made some new friends in the loo.”

“The fuck?” Hayes’s back straightens and all his attention is on me now, instead of the bored posture from before.

“She told them her name’s Bowie…”

“Fucking knew it,” Hayes grumbles under his breath, and I continue.

“She admitted to lying about college on her résumé and said she did a name change.” I shrug, knowing this won’t satisfy Hayes.

“I said that’s all it is. Did she say why?” Orion’s eager to believe her but I know his suspicions won’t easily disappear either. If Hayes is wary, Orion will always be on alert.

“Nope. Didn’t get that far because I didn’t fancy getting arrested for being caught fucking her for hours outside the public bathroom of a hotel.” I’ve managed to avoid prison for thirty-seven years while doing far worse than fucking in a public place, so as much as I wanna fuck Bowie into submission, I’m also not fucking stupid.

“Yeah, good idea.” Orion finishes his drink, making a noise of satisfaction from the back of his throat before he stands. “We should head back before Hayes sets the walls on fire with his death stare.”

I chuckle, looking to my twin. Yeah, he’s furious, I can practically feel his mind working overtime trying to figure things out, but there aren’t enough pieces for anything to connect.

“Fuck you.” Hayes flicks his eyes toward Orion and huffs as he stands too.

It’s been a great night, overall. We’ve achieved what we set out to do with the sponsors, but the unplanned visit from Bowie has put us all on edge for different reasons. The ride back to our apartment is thick with tension and my dick refuses to soften.

We’re always very careful about the people we let into our world. We have secrets that could destroy what we’ve built and protecting them, along with each other, has always been our top priority, but Bowie feels like a small chink in our armor. It has the power to grow into something dangerous unless we deal with the problem. Quickly.

The thing is, how do we deal with a woman that I know we’re all obsessed over if our usual tactics don’t work?

Chapter Nine

Bowie

“Where did you get those scones? I don’t recognize the logo on the bag.” I grin at Drew’s questions. Not only am I pretty sure I just won him over with a snack, but the way he’s chewing like a Neanderthal is messing with his well put together façade.

Drew is a scone whore and I’m going to milk that weakness until it’s a dried up well. After all, he’s Orion’s gatekeeper and I need to get into that fortress. Especially after what happened with Hadley because I have no doubt he yapped away to his brother and best friend about my identity.

Although, I have to admit I handled that little scandal quite well. Even River backed me up.

“It’s a new bakery that opened up two doors down from my studio. You’re my first taste-tester.” He’s not, but men like to feel important like that, and stroking Drew’s ego is going to be just as important as stroking my bosses’ cocks. After all, I can’t get to said cocks unless I get close to them.

“I recognize the green tea but what is that little jolt…” I don’t have time to answer before a voice behind me takes the floor.

“Lime. This bitch just found my new obsession and I’m here for it.” Hayes’s secretary, Crosby, sits on Drew’s desk and swipes the last of the scone sitting on the paper bag. “I’m not supposed to like you, just so we’re clear, but if you keep bringing these around I might pretend hard enough that you won’t notice the difference.” I frown at his words like I’m offended—which I’m not.

“So, what you’re saying is that your loyalty to Hayes is one ingredient away from imploding?” Hayes hates me, that much is clear.

“No, ma’am. Never that. Hayes Beckett is the difference between me living under a bridge or in a sweet little one bedroom in Chelsea overlooking the Hudson.” He pops the last of the scone in his mouth and makes a moaning noise that has Drew rolling his eyes. The theatrics are on point, about as perfect as his makeup.

“I’m confused. If not Hayes, then who?” As I take a sip of my coffee, Crosby stands then pats Drew on the head like he’s been a good boy before giving me his full attention.

“Abby, of course. You know, the poor woman you’re replacing?” I do my best not to flinch. It’s not a secret that what Mickey had done to her pisses me off. “Mr. Beckett has theories, and well, I love a good whodunnit, don’t you?” With a wink, Crosby wipes his mouth and walks back to his office with Drew and I watching him.

“Don’t mind him. His snark is worse than his bite and if you can get past that, you’ll find he’s excellent at his job, which is why Hayes will never replace him.” At Drew’s praises, I make a mental note to get nice and cozy with Crosby as well. If anything, I’ll walk away from this con with a better insight on fashion and work ethic.

“Duly noted.” With a smile, I take the last coffees and scones to Ginny, who’s been holed up in her office not participating in ourpre eight o’clock gossip time. “See you later, Drew. Oh and could you get Orion to give me his list of tasks for this week, please? I’ll be at my desk, organizing.”

“Sure thing.”

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