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“Do we have time for a drink in LouLou’s first?” I asked when he approached.
“Of course. We don’t want to miss the best part.” Typhon winked and smiled, captivating me with his dimples. Tomorrow, he’d be my husband, and I couldn’t wait. He led us downstairs to the bar.
“Have a seat,” Brand said to Pen, pointing to a zebra-print bar stool.
“This is an interesting place,” I heard her whisper. “Have you been before?”
He nodded. “Only once.”
“What do you fancy?” I asked, intrigued by tonight’s turn of events. I wondered if once we were home, Levi would elaborate about Brando’s role with the coalition.
“The lady will have Booker’s straight up,” Brand responded. “And I’ll have mine on ice.”
While we enjoyed our cocktails, I filled Penelope in on what I’d been doing since our last conversation.
“Wait. Are you saying you bought Michael Beaumont’s studio?”
I smiled and nodded.
“And his house,” Levi leaned in and added.
“This is unreal and so fabulous. And sad, of course. Did you meet him?”
I explained that Mike, as he insisted Levi and I call him, had become a mentor to me. “Sadly, he passed away a month ago. I miss him terribly.”
“I’m so sorry,” Pen said, squeezing my hand. “So, tell me what you’ve been working on.”
I leaned in closer. “Part of it is a secret. I’ll tell you more later.”
She nodded, and when I looked at Levi, he raised a brow, then winked.
I loved him so much and wished I could tell Pen our happy news, but I’d meant what I said earlier. It wouldn’t be fair to tell her when we’d agreed not to tell Levi’s parents.
We finished our drinks, and Levi motioned to the bartender. Seconds later, a man appeared and led us upstairs to the area where we’d be dining.
When we walked into a room with only one table, the fireplace was lit and champagne had been poured.
The man left and closed the pocket doors behind him. I nearly laughed when both Levi and Brand looked as though they let out a breath they’d been holding.
“I understand you were one of the galleries affected by the bloody Sicilians,” Levi said, startling me. It was unlike him.
“That’s right,” Pen responded, clearly uncomfortable. “How nice that they have a private dining room,” she added.
“I was happy to hear you’d be joining us this evening.” Levi spoke directly to Brand, who was seated across from him.
“What are you doing for Christmas?” I asked, curious about whatever Levi was up to, but not wanting to make it obvious.
“Something quiet at the flat. You?”
“The same.”
We made small talk through the rest of dinner. As we were leaving, I overheard Levi say, “I want you to know you’ll have our support.”
“Much appreciated. I wasn’t informed your unit would be involved,” Brand responded.
“That’s because it’s no one’s call but mine. Who’s going in with you?”
“Blackjack and Tank.”