Page 216 of King of Pain
Anthony
It’s quite something—seeing your face scattered across the walls at a high-class function.
All eyes are on me. Both the painted and living versions.
It’s… unnerving, honestly.
I don’t know how celebrities or professional athletes do this. Being looked at this much, this closely. It makes me want to hide in a dark corner.
But I don’t.
Because tonight isn’t about my comfort.
It’s abouthim.
My man. The man of the hour. The ridiculously gifted, devastatingly handsome artist currently being pulled away by an elegant woman wearing enough diamonds to put Cartier out of stock. She’s at least seventy, regal as hell, and I’d bet her monthly donation to the gallery rivals my annual salary.
I smile to myself and sip my champagne. I’m happy to be behind the scenes. That’s where I belong—supporting the careers of the stars, not standing under a spotlight. Even if, tonight, I’m themuse on display.
From the corner of my eye, I clock movement.
A familiar stride.
Jason Ciccone. Headed straight for me.
And oh, would you look at that?
Chance, who was across the room a second ago, has magically appeared at my side, one arm snaking behind my back, pulling me in with a possessive grip.
Jason steps up, extends a hand, and gives me that charming, toothy grin of his. “Hey Anthony. Looking sharp.”
Chance makes a sound that falls somewhere between a grunt and a growl.
I roll my eyes, but I love it.
Jason shifts his attention to Chance and reaches out for a shake. “Good to see you again, Chance. I love what you guys did with the space.”
Chance hesitates for half a second. Shifts his weight.
Then he shakes Jason’s hand and says, “Thanks.” His voice is friendly, but there’s a strange… tightness to it. “I was inspired, to say the least.”
He turns his head to look at me, eyes soft, lips curled in a smile that’s all love and heat and pride.
But something's off. That exchange. The way Jason said “again.”
They’ve never officially met. Not really. That fleeting parking lot encounter in the rain is the only time they’ve met, but there wasn’t even an introduction.
Yet something seems… familiar between them.
Jason glances between us, all swagger, and then leans a little closer and says, “You landed one hell of a man, Pacini. I can’t even be mad about losing.” Then, dropping his voice, he adds, “And Ihateto lose.”
I stammer, caught somewhere between a laugh and a cough. “Uh. Yeah. I did. I really did.” I rub the back of my neck and add, “Thank you, Jason.”
Thankfully, Deacon rolls up and interrupts the awkward moment. He leans in towards Chance, and I hear him whisper, “Entrances and exits have been checked again, Boss. We posted our own people up at every door as well.”
Chance nods, and I try not to find the whole thing hot as fuck. I fail. Miserably.
Deek turns around, now standing between me and Chance, and Jason’s eyes bulge comically.
