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Maybe all of this is for the best. Ronan doesn’t belong in my life. I have too much going on and too much I would need to explain away.

“It was nice while it lasted,” I mutter to myself.

I couldn’t reveal surface-level details about myself to Ronan, so our conversations often got a little deep. I miss that. He got to know a side of me I don’t share with many. He might know me better than anyone else.

“The sooner you get over him, the better.”

I open the fancy catalog for this evening’s festivities. Flipping through leisurely, I find one or two other items I might bid on. I’m here as Danika Peoples, there’s nothing I can’t afford to buy.

“See something you like? I’d be happy to bid on it for you. Consider it a gift for our first meeting.”

I look up into a pair of gray eyes and I’m struck with a sense of intensity I’ve only known from men like my uncle. My mind wanders back to Ronan. Why didn’t I allow myself to note that same intensity in his eyes?

It’s there, I just ignored the fact every time I was around him. It’s probably because no one in Dean’s world should give off such vibes. Or I could be tripping because the man has me dickmatized.

Shit, I’m going to need to cleanse my body and mind to get my shit together. I clear my throat and focus. This is business.

When I don’t give a reply, he places a fancy blue envelope on the table and puts his pointer finger down on it. I recognize the envelope as the invitation I sent him. It’s the same envelope all the horsemen use to request a private meeting.

I sent this one to get this man’s attention so I can finally offer him my gift. I’m here for more than an auction tonight. I’m here to do business.

“Hello, LaSalle. It’s nice to put a face to the name,” I say and smile at him.

Then I tilt my head to the side. My smile grows. My uncle and his slick ass.

“Although I believe I have seen your face before and have a very different name for it.”

He smoothly takes a seat at my booth, keeping a decent distance, which I respect off jump. I take in his smooth style, from his black-on-black suit and shirt to his neatly combed dark brown hair.

“I could say the same of you. This is not our first meeting, technically. We have crossed paths. This is just our first meet in this capacity.”

“Yes, I believe you are right. Does that make our gift-giving invalid?”

He shrugs his shoulders. “I will still bid on whatever you like. Consider it a gift of good faith. I want our relationship to be a lasting one.”

“In that case, Mr. Locatelli, I believe I have a gift for you that will strengthen our connection and give you confidence in what I bring to the table.”

He lifts a brow, showing me I’ve piqued his interest. While his face remains otherwise expressionless, his eyes show a sharpness as if he’s assessing everything about me as I am him. This guy gives me boss of bosses vibes.

“I had a great respect for your uncle. You have my ear.”

“I’m glad you brought up my uncle. He taught me you should always have options, so no one can force your hand at anything. My gift will provide you with options.

“It has come to my attention you have something you want from the Albanians. However, you also want to keep them in this alliance of yours. I have a solution for that. Bujar and Dalmat aren’t needed to get the outcome you want.

“There is a cousin who should have taken over the family before Bujar and Dalmat snaked him out of his spot. Erjon would love nothing more than to take his family back and I’m sure he would be open to this alliance as well.

“I am aware of Erjon. The problem is, no one has seen him since Bujar and Dalmat started calling the shots. I would have preferred to deal with him,” LaSalle says thoughtfully.

“Unfortunately, our world doesn’t have much originality. Erjon has suffered the same fate as your friend in Ireland. I have known Erjon for some years.

“He and I share a mutual friend. We were instrumental in getting him back in the country after orchestrating his release. My friend has been biding his time, waiting for the brothers to leave him an opening.

“This is an opening. I can take the brothers off the board and solve the problems they’ve been causing me, you get a business partner you prefer, and you get whatever it is you’ve been wanting from those assholes as well.”

LaSalle smiles at me. “I like you already. You’re just like him.”

“Does this mean you would like me to set up a meeting with Erjon for you? With your green light, he can come out of hiding and I can make sure it stays that way.”