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“You can’t be serious?”Percy laughs. “You’re not going to help me land Opal because of what you just saw? Who I screw has nothing to do with you. I paid you to make Opal my wife and to mind your own business.”

There’s so much bullshit threaded through those words that I don’t know where to begin. I start with what I deem most important. “Land Opal? Jesus, Percy. She’s a remarkable woman, not a possession. She’s too good for you.”

Shaking his head, he chuckles. “She’s not. If anything, I’m too good for her.”

That’s the line for me. He’s fucking delusional if he believes that he’s too good for Opal. The fact is he’s not good enough for any woman in this city or on this planet.

I grab hold of both lapels of his jacket and hike him an inch off his feet.

The stunned expression on his pathetic face is all the satisfaction I need. The back-and-forth motion of his shoes swinging in the air as he tries to find solid ground is the icing on the cake.

“Put me the fuck down, Knight.”

I take two steps forward, which is enough to land Percy’s back against the pub’s exterior wall. “You are no longer my client. You are never going to be anything to Opal. Do you understand me?”

He squirms. “Let me go, asshole.”

Since we’re attracting a crowd and I have a reputation to protect, I lower him to his feet. “My fee is back in your bank account. Our contract is null and void. The NDA stands, so don’t fuck that up, or I’ll come for you.”

My standard non-disclosure agreement binds my clients’ and former clients’ mouths shut so tight that nothing has ever leaked about me. Every client who wants to send a friend or colleague my way has to get permission from me before they can pass my name and number on.

I’ve only had two clients unintentionally share my information without discussing it with me first. Neither did it with any ill will, but I did remind both to double-check with me before it happened again.

“Go to hell.” Percy pushes past me. “I don’t need you anyways.”

“Stay away from Opal,” I tell him before he walks away. “You’ll never be the man for her.”

26

Opal

I brushmy fingertips over the lid of the vintage pill box that William gave me. It’s been years since anyone has added to my collection. When I first discovered my love for the decorative little treasures, my mom would keep an eye out for any when she went to estate sales with her friends. Each time she’d hand one to me, I’d marvel at how unique it was, but I can’t say any of them match the beauty of the one William chose for me.

That might have everything to do with the fact that I like him, but regardless, I’m in awe of the utter perfection of the intricate design hand-painted so precisely on the box.

I tuck it carefully back in my jacket pocket and step inside Wolf Candy. William is the reason I’m here. He bought me the pill box to thank me for giving him the special edition of Turquoise Crown, so I’ll keep this gift exchange going. Since he mentioned his neighbor paid him in chocolate and soda when he was a kid, I thought it would bring a smile to his face to pick up some for him today.

I glance around the candy store and spot a wall reserved for chocolate bars. Wolf Candy has a solid reputation in New York City for being the place to be if you’re looking for decadent chocolate. They offer a pure milk chocolate bar that will make your toes curl because it’s that creamy and good, but they also have an array of bars with added tasty treasures, including nuts, dried fruits, and sweet candies.

“Can I help you?” The owner, Nikita Wolf, approaches me from the right. She recognizes me as soon as I turn to face her. “Opal!”

“It’s good to see you, Nikita.”

Her smile reaches her blue eyes as she glances past me. “Is Hildy with you?”

I expected the question since my aunt is the reason I know Nikita in the first place. Aunt Hildy brought me here on a sunny summer afternoon a few years ago for cold lemonade and a sampling of Wolf Candy’s chocolate offerings.

I left with a bag filled with chocolate courtesy of my aunt, and the bonus was that I made a new friend in Nikita. Technically, we’re not close friends since we only talk when I pop in to see her.

“Not today,” I tell her.

“She was in last week.” She smiles, raking a hand through her long black hair. “She told me all about Turquoise Crown. You’re opening a bar, Opal! I’m so excited for you.”

I can see her words are coming from a place of genuine happiness for me. “Thank you.”

“Hildy gave me the scoop on when you officially open, the address of the bar, all of the essential details.” She laughs. “I’ll send a candy bouquet over a few days after you open because you’ll need the sugar rush. I remember when I launched this place. I didn’t sleep for weeks. Sugar and coffee were the only things that kept me going.”

“Thank you in advance.” I reach to tap her hand. “You’re the best.”