Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 78155 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 391(@200wpm)___ 313(@250wpm)___ 261(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78155 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 391(@200wpm)___ 313(@250wpm)___ 261(@300wpm)
I’d prefer to deal with a dealer over this any day.
I moved toward one of the walls with a potted plant and poured the piss into the soil.
“Classy.”
I straightened then placed the empty flute on one of the trays that passed by.
“That was Cristal.” Carvel stood there with one hand in the pocket of his tuxedo, his arm around his date.
“They all taste like shit.”
Carvel smirked slightly. “Luca, this is Irene.”
I nodded to her and barely made eye contact with her. I didn’t give a shit who Carvel was sleeping with this week.
Carvel turned to her. “He says hello.”
She gave a smile, but it was as fake and forced as my nod.
“You didn’t bring anyone?” he asked, eyebrows slightly raised because I always brought someone.
“No.” I slid my hands into the pockets of my slacks.
Carvel continued his stare. “What about that girl we just stuck our necks out for? You’re telling me you did all of that—”
“I need a drink. A real one.” I was just about to step away when Bastien and Fleur approached, his arm around her waist.
“What girl?” Bastien waggled his eyebrows like he’d heard enough to torment me.
“Yes, pray tell,” Fleur said.
I looked at Carvel and almost pulled out my pistol and aimed it at his head.
“Here.” Bastien extended his scotch to me. “Looks like you need this more than I do.”
I grabbed it and took a long drink.
He clapped me on the shoulder and chuckled before he talked with Carvel. When Carvel introduced Irene, Bastien was far nicer about it, kissing her on each cheek before he made small talk with her.
Fleur came to my side and gave me a little bump with her hip. “You look mad.”
“Don’t I always?” I shook the ice cubes of the empty glass.
“No,” she said. “Not always.” She hooked her arm through mine, wearing a skintight black dress with a sweetheart neckline, diamond earrings in her lobes, and a fat diamond ring on her left hand. “How are you?”
“Not a fan of these things.”
“I know. And that’s why you normally bring someone, right? A buffer from conversation?”
“Well, you’ll have to do.”
She chuckled. “In case you forgot, I’m already a buffer for my husband.”
I glanced at Bastien, who was talking to Carvel, and they both laughed uproariously about some bullshit. “Looks like he doesn’t need you.” I guided her away, moving through the party and toward one of the bars on the other side of the room. “Want anything?”
“Red is fine.”
With her on my arm like she was my wife instead of Bastien’s, I got us our drinks then went to one of the round tables. Name cards had already been placed there for assigned seating, and my seat was beside Bastien and Fleur. I’d originally responded that I would bring a guest, but that didn’t happen, so the other chair beside me would be empty.
She took a drink from her glass and smeared her lipstick on the surface. “How have you been?”
“Fine.”
“Why are you so short all of a sudden?” she asked. “You know it’s me, right?”
“Sorry.” I was being unnecessarily asshole-like to one of the few people I liked. “Just have a lot on my mind.”
“I remember when Bastien had a lot on his mind.” She took another drink. “Now he doesn’t brood so much. The brooding was sexy, but his smile is sexier.”
“I heard the word sexy.” Bastien approached the table with Carvel, and his girl followed behind. “Must be talking about me.” He sat down and dropped his arm around Fleur’s chair as he leaned into her.
She rolled her eyes, but the grin on her face lost her the poker game. “You caught me.”
He pulled her in close and gave her a hard kiss on the mouth.
I turned away and watched the other chairs be filled with people I’d describe as strangers more than acquaintances. My phone vibrated in my pocket, and I checked the text and was met with disappointment.
“Where’s Diana?”
I knew it was coming. Knew Carvel had thrown me under the tank. “Couldn’t make it.”
“Then what about what’s-her-name?”
“There’re a lot of what’s-her-names.”
“They were all busy?” Bastien asked, slightly playful like he knew he was getting under my skin and enjoying the dig. “Your dick dirty or something?”
Carvel nearly choked on the laugh that left his throat.
I knew they were in on this together. Carvel had told Bastien everything, and he was drilling me until I cracked and caved.
“What did you catch?” Bastien asked. “Don’t tell me it’s—”
“You think I won’t cut out your tongue?” I snapped my head in his direction. “Let’s see how long Fleur sticks around when you can’t—”
“Whoa.” Bastien held up his hand. “Leave my wife out of this.”
The conversation was finished, and I’d struck the killing blow.
It was silent for a while, and then Bastien exchanged quiet words with Fleur. Then he got up, and the two of them switched seats so he could sit directly next to me.