Page 19

Something tells me I’m not going to like this conversation, but I need to know how much Marcus knows about me. The man shouldn’t even know my name, but my gut tells me that’s highly unlikely. His presence leaves me uneasy.

As we reach the table, Marcus looks up from his drink. His expression shifts from curiosity to a sly grin that barely touches his eyes.

“Ezekiel King.” His voice is low and dripping with faux friendliness. “What brings you to my table?”

I chuckle softly, feigning nonchalance while my insides twist. Marcus knows exactly who I am. This is not good news. “You know my name.”

His smile grows and his eyes light up with excitement. “I make it my business to know everyone in this city. Especially men as successful and powerful as you.”

“I just work hard,” I reply smoothly. I glance around the table. An undercurrent of tension weaves through the air. Each family member I make eye contact with knows how easily the night can shift from casual banter to violence. “Just out for a little relaxation?” I ask.

“Ah, yes.” He gestures grandly to the club’s surroundings. “A perfect place for that.”

I lean against the edge of the table, casually inspecting his crew while keeping my tone light. “Thank you. I’m glad you’re enjoying yourself. We’ve worked hard to make this club what it is today.”

Marcus tilts his head, studying me as if trying to read between my words. “I’ve heard good things about your club. I must admit, this is my first time here. Such a shame too. It’s a nice club.”

Eli’s posture stiffens beside me, ready to intervene if needed, but I hold up a hand subtly to keep him in check.

“That’s what I like to hear,” I say with a broad smile, locking eyes with Marcus.

His smile widens—a predator sizing up prey—and I feel it in my gut. He knows something’s off about me being at his table. This is more than just an owner making sure his guests are happy.

“Ezekiel,” Marcus begins, his voice smooth like silk, but full of underlying venom. “I hear you’re a man of connection. The kind of manIcould use helping me to keepmycity safe. There’s a handsome price for any knowledge of criminal activities that could disrupt theorder of things.”

I arch an eyebrow, my stomach twisting into knots. “Why would you think I know anything?”

He leans in, his grin unfaltering. “Powerful men know things. They make it their business to know things.”

“Maybe so.” I force a grin. “But I’m not sure that’s the kind of information I know. I’m just a nightclub owner.” I try to shake off the weight of his gaze.

Marcus leans back in his chair, feigning casualness as if we’re discussing the weather instead of dancing around dangerous truths. “And yet here you are, amidst family gatherings in a club filled with unsavory characters.” He smirks again. This one feels like a knife at my throat.

I maintain eye contact, refusing to flinch even as he pulls on threads I thought were buried deep. “What makes you think I’m involved with anything unsavory?”

“Come now.” His voice lowers conspiratorially. “Men like us … we thrive on power. Even if it means we have to lie to get it.”

He’s right about one thing—men like us know how to navigate these murky waters full of greed and ambition.

“I don’t deal in rumors or criminal enterprises,” I say firmly. “Like I said, I’m just a nightclub owner.”

Marcus’s laughter rings out sharply against the thrumming beat of the club’s music. “Is that so? I guess we’ll see.”

My blood runs cold, leaving unspoken threats lingering in the air. The stakes are rising—and fast.

Marcus leans back, his expression growing more predatory as he toys with the idea of power over me. I want to snap back, to inform him who he’s dealing with, but that fire inside me is more of a slow burn under the pressure of his gaze.

Suddenly, a voice slices through the tension. “Hey, what’s she doing here?” Giovanni Costa, one of Marcus’s goons, gestures across the room, squinting through the haze of smoke and strobe lights.

Giovanni Costa is the son to Alessandro Costa. Thanks to Marcus, they’re the second most powerful family in the Columbus mafia. Marcus brought them to power as he built his empire. Sadly, Gio is an idiot. He’s eager to prove himself and it’s making him reckless.

“What did you say?” Marcus snaps, irritation flashing across his features. He’s clearly not in the mood for interruptions.

“I know her,” Gio insists, a smug grin spreading on his face. “She’s a hooker from the north side. I mean—she usually looks like trash, but that’s definitely her.”

I stiffen at his words. My blood runs hot as I track Gio’s gaze. My eyes lock on Evelyn Landry as she laughs with her friends by the bar, vibrant against the dark backdrop of the club. A flicker of protectiveness ignites in me.What the fuck is she doing here? Again.

It’s been a couple weeks since she was here, and I thought I made it clear that she was not to be in my club.