Page 60 of Brutal Heir

“Mmm,” I murmur before reaching for the vodka tonic on my desk. The depths of my uncle’s love for his wife surprises me sometimes. For such a brutal man to love so deeply is entirely unexpected.

Picking up the other glass, I offer the champagne to Rory. I’ve never seen her drink anything but water and coffee, so I had to guess on her drink. “I hope it’s okay, I didn’t know what you preferred.”

“I’ll never say no to a bit of bubbly.” She grins, swiping the flute from my hand. “Especially if we’re celebrating a special occasion.”

My brow arches as I regard her. “Oh, and what’s that?”

“The king’s legendary return to his kingdom.” She clinks her glass against mine and for the first time all night, the smile that spreads my lips is a real one.

I swallow down a big gulp, my eyes locked to hers over the rim of the crystal tumbler. The premium Polish vodka slides down my throat, so damned smooth, imported just for my club. I’ve tried to avoid alcohol with all the meds, but Rory’s right, tonight we’re celebrating.

The entire drink goes down smoothly, perhaps too easily, but when I drop my gaze from Rory’s eyes to her flute, I find she’s nearly guzzled down its contents as well.

“Take it easy, Rossi,” she scolds, green eyes piercing through the flames of the mask and soft auburn curls cascading down her bare shoulders.

“Relax, tiny tyrant, I didn’t take any pain meds tonight just for the occasion.”

“Well, look at you thinking ahead.”

“I have a tough nurse, and she’d beat the shite out of me if I disobeyed her rules.”

“Smart man.” She swallows down the remainder of the champagne as I chug down the vodka.

Apparently, a few months without drinking, and I’ve become a lightweight. Already, the warm buzz seeps through my senses, clouding my thoughts and quieting the incessant doubts.

“We should probably get back down to the party if we’re going to catch this culprit red-handed,” I mumble. Even if it’s the last thing I want to do right now. But staying in my office, alone with her, with alcohol dulling my inhibitions, is dangerous.

Especially when my thoughts creep to the past, to the countless women I’ve had on their knees right here in this very place. But with Rory, it would be different. I would be the one on my knees forher…

Shaking my thoughts of the stupid, I turn toward the door and offer Rory my arm.

“So if I’m the king of the Vault…”

“Then I’m the queen, obviously,” she blurts.

She says it like a joke. But for the first time in months, I wonder what it would feel like to let someone wear that crown beside me. For real.

She easily slips her arm through my offered one, curling into my side like she was meant to be there. And that damned hope kindles behind my ribs, and the warm haze of alcohol is too potent to shove it down this time.

CHAPTER 25

SHUT UP AND SWAY

Alessandro

Sitting in a VIP booth at the edge of the dancefloor, the slow rhythm creeps in like smoke. It’s low, sultry, and dangerous. Rory sits beside me, her bare thigh nearly brushing my slacks. The near touch is exhilarating, my entire body thrumming with excitement, waiting for the subtle shift which will press her flesh against mine.

Dio,you sound like a horny teenager. There goes that damned irritating inner voice again. Definitely Alessia this time.

Ignoring my twin’s inner monologue as well as that of the mayor on my opposite side, who hasn’t stopped talking since we sat down, I steal occasional glances at Rory from the corner of my eye.

She watches the dancefloor with an unbridled enthusiasm I’ve yet to see from the fiery leprechaun.

“So, what do you say, Rossi?” The mayor’s question draws me from my internal musings.

I stare at him for a long beat, trying to figure out what the hell he asked. He lifts an impatient wiry brow as I fumble, reaching for my drink to buy myself another minute.

“He wants to know if you’ll back his new initiative,” Rory whispers into my ear, leaning so close her warm breath sends goose bumps rippling down my arm. “A nightlife safety task force.”