Page 37 of The Boss and the Wedding Mess
We reach a black double door, and she opens it. Soft piano music drifts out immediately, and the scent of alcohol wafts to my nose.
I follow her into a massive, labyrinth-like room. Besides pure luxury, there’s also a huge aquarium filled with exotic fish. It takes up an entire wall, though you can still see clearly through to the other side. There are also terrariums with trees and plants—but no animals. They stretch from the floor up to the ceiling, nearly twenty feet high.
I spot a pianist playing at a white grand piano. The entire penthouse suite is surrounded by glass walls, offering a perfect view of London. The countless city lights look like a night sky of their own—which sadly can’t be admired. London is too bright, even in the dead of night.
I keep following the lady. Here and there are a few men around my age, being served food and drinks by pretty, scantily clad women. Quiet conversations take place, while others entertain themselves at the billiard table.
She leads me toward a group of four men. Among them, I notice Montgomery Grey’s grandson, Cornelius Grey. With dark brown hair, he doesn’t really stand out from the group. Only the gold ring with the MG crest catches my eye. The gazes of his three conversation partners—whom I can’t place right away—shift toward me, which makes him turn around.
“Alexander Blackthorn,” he says warmly, waving over one of the servers. She hurries over immediately with a tray of whiskey glasses balanced neatly in her hands. He takes two of them and hands me one, while the brunette withdraws and disappears from view. "So, you accepted my invitation."
"I just followed the coordinates Carlos gave me." I study his face, trying to read him, though it’s hard in such a place with alcohol and several young women.
"When I heard you were back in London, I had to send for you." His smile is brief. How old is he? Early or mid-thirties, maybe? It’s hard to say. He gestures to the three men scrutinizing me nearby. "Allow me to introduce you."
I observe the three watching me with curiosity.
"This is Alexander Blackthorn, only son of Arthur Blackthorn."
At my father’s name, recognition flickers. One by one Cornelius introduces me to the men who are there. All of them heirs of English, French, or American dynasties. There’s even a Swiss heir among them, though most of them are English. We stroll around and chat a little before we're alone after the brief tour.
On the terrace outside, models lounge around and inside a roofed pool.
"I see, you’ve built yourself quite a little paradise," I remark. Cornelius is almost done with his whiskey, while mine is mostly untouched.
"That’s just for show. The ladies are off-limits. Relationships with them aren’t tolerated—they’re here to attend to every gentleman here, not one man in particular." He grins and adds, "Although, it can be… entertaining to break the occasional taboo now and then."
Of course.
"So what’s the purpose of this club?"
"Business. Connections. Good food. Good drinks." He nods at my whiskey. "We have wine too, if that’s more your style."
"I still have to drive."
"We’re open from six pm to three in the morning, seven days a week. Someone is always here. I spend most of my time enjoying life. But you can also come and use one of the offices. We also have suites prepared below in case you’d rather leave in the morning." His smile tilts, sly. "And if you’d rather not sleep alone—I keep a list of beautiful women who’d definitely appeal to you."
"Got it." I drain my glass and moment later, a young lady rushes over to get my glass. I decline a refill.
Well, I should be going. But I can see myself dropping by on occasion."
Cornelius clasps my hand in a strong, commanding shake. Right now, he’s one of the most influential and wealthy men in all of England and having someone like that as a business partner definitely has its advantages.
Chapter 13
London
London
I don’t open Vanessa’s late-night messages until the next morning. By then I’d already been fast asleep.
I'm still in bed as I read what she texted me: “I was completely wasted. God, I can barely remember anything. Just that he was really polite and respectful, and brought me to my apartment and well, that was it. He even tucked me in! And he left a bottle of water on the table—he even thought of painkillers!
I won't touch another drop. Promise. I'm just going to find a new man. A really sweet, great, kind and faithful guy who I can shower with my love. I'll never let an idiot like Dominic into my life again!”
Well, I certainly hope so.
I get ready for the day and leave early. Mornings are lovely when you're freshly showered and pumped full of coffee. It really wakes you up.
