Page 9 of Gluttony (Seven Deadly Sins #4)

Chapter Seven

Bowie

I’m choosing to be a glass half-full kind of girl.

Sure, I was counting on Hayes calling me from his apartment, giving me the opportunity to get a look-see at the place.

No one would bat an eye at me asking to use the bathroom when really, it would be a chance to snoop around a little.

Get my bearings, maybe even take a couple of pictures for Mickey.

Turns out, I was only half wrong since Hayes turned out to be the typical, predictable man I was hoping he would be.

On the downside, he was a cunt for calling me once they’d already gone out, destroying all my calculated plans.

But it’s fine. Who knows, maybe they’ll take me home tonight and before they get their dicks inside me, I’ll snoop and bolt. I could always blame it on my period. Nobody wants to share a woman who’s exhibiting the normal cycle of life, right? I know Mickey’s not a fan. Men are babies like that.

With this new goal in mind, I find myself at one of Midtown’s upstanding hotels with the big, emblematic letter M glowing at the top.

Rumor has it the head of the mafia owns it, but that’s a little too out there for me to believe.

People love to make rich people seem mysterious and dangerous.

I bet said mafia guy is also uber rich and looks like a rough and lethal runway model.

Ridiculous .

Mentally, I pat myself on the back for dressing in a versatile little black number. Not quite casual but nothing over the top, either. In any case, it had the intended effect when Hadley grabbed my wrist and hauled me inside to meet their guests.

“So, Bella, right?” One of the music festival sponsors sitting closest to me leans in, his long brown hair secured in a tie at the back of his head.

“That’s right.” Nope, so wrong, but after their lengthy account about how much they love classic rock, I bet they’d love my real name. “And you’re Jonathan, right?” He does not look like a Jonathan. More like a Bob. Geldof not Dylan.

“Yeah, but everyone prefers to call me Jon. How long have you been working for these guys?” Jon scrapes the plush chair across the slick floors in an attempt to get closer, so I help him by leaning on the armrest. I’m aware this gives him a clear view of my cleavage but there’s nothing I can do to avoid that.

“Not very long. Just started, actually.” My smile is genuine and for some reason I’m a bit surprised about that. After the first week I had, I should be running far and fast. It may be a sign that I’m losing my mind, but in hindsight, I actually had fun doing something…real.

“Ah, I see. Are they treating you right? Because we’ve got a need for a secretary or assistant for our adventure here.

” It’s hard to tell if he’s being serious, outright flirting, or just being friendly, but I choose the latter because my life is complicated enough, I don’t need to add these two to the mix.

“Yes, they are. To be honest, I don’t really see them much at the office. I’m too busy running errands.” Except for when Hayes throws me dirty looks, like he is right this minute, all the while trying to convince Jon’s business partner that they are absolutely the right fit for this festival.

Hadley, who is sitting across from us, is downing his shots as he sits back in the chair, watching us.

A normal reaction to the murderous glint in his eyes would be to move away and change identities—which I’m capable of doing without a second thought.

Unfortunately, I’ve got a job to do and red flags have always been my weakness.

Naturally, I mimic his position, crossing my legs in a very Basic Instinct move, knowing that the small, round table between us would hide nothing. I expect him to scowl, or at the very least be shocked by my unprofessional move. Instead, Hadley grins, showing off all of his straight, white teeth.

Must admit, for just a second, he looked like a fucking psychopath. Worse, I think I liked it.

“…understaffed so if by any chance this doesn’t work out, make sure to give me a call.” I miss half of what Jon tells me because I’m too distracted by Hadley’s response to me. The fact that his change in attitude is the opposite of what any other boss would have makes me curious.

I wonder how far I can push him?

Forcing myself to look away, I turn my torso to the side and give my full attention to Jon.

Well, at least I pretend to do so with my elbow on the arm rest and my chin pressed to my closed fist. Only problem is that Orion is now in my line of sight, just to the right.

I do my best to ignore him, too, but contrary to Hadley, he’s not amused at my antics.

In fact, he scootches closer, takes my glass of blackberry vodka, and hands it back to the waitress.

“We need you to take notes, Bella .”

Pretty sure that’s the definition of the gauntlet being thrown down.

Also, something about the way Orion says my name makes the hairs at the back of my neck tingle.

And not in that sexy, he’s going to eat me alive and make me scream through it kind of way, but more in the he’s going to eat me alive… period, kind of way.

“Right, yes. Sorry. I was so taken by Jon’s stories”—I didn’t hear a damn thing—“that I forgot I was working.” I wonder if I get overtime?

With a smirk that says plenty about his evil intentions, Hadley hands me his cocktail napkin. Seconds later, just as our waitress is walking past our table, he swipes the pen tucked into her apron.

“Here, thought you might need this.” Evil twin number one is amused, quite proud of himself, I’d say.

“That’s very thoughtful of you, Sir . Thank you.” Sarcasm is dripping from my tongue and everyone within hearing distance picks up on it, except for Jon who’s too busy staring at my tits.

At least someone is appreciating the effort I put in tonight.

“So, Jon, tell us about your plans and how we can help you implement them.” Orion takes control of the conversation, and like the good executive assistant that I am, I take notes.

I note that Hayes is exceptionally scowly tonight. That Hadley is two leg-crossings away from fucking me orgy-style. And Orion is working really fucking hard at getting this contract yet can’t help throwing amused glances my way.

Those are my notes and none of them are helpful to H2O but they are perfect for our con job.

For about an hour, I do my job and I do it well considering I’ve got a small square with the hotel’s logo taking up one whole side and still manage to scribble down pertinent information.

I’ve gone to the bathroom twice already but that can’t be helped.

Without any alcohol, I’ve been reduced to drinking water this whole time and well, the heated—not always sexy—gazes from my three bosses alone is dehydrating me.

“Excuse me, I’ll be right back.” I smile, flicking my hair back over my shoulder and rising to my full height with elegance and poise. At least, I hope I do.

Taking a quick peek at my watch, I cringe at the time and wonder what mood I’ll find Mickey in tonight.

The restroom isn’t empty when I walk in, which is annoying but not surprising.

When I glance over their way, I notice the sheer beauty of them.

One has long black hair that reaches almost to her waist like a curtain of silk, while the other has it cut short, showing off the slender lines of her neck.

Damn.

I smile when they look my way, then head straight for the stall to relieve what feels like my weight floating in my bladder. Problem is, I get performance anxiety in public places and I’m just hoping these two ladies are good friends and will start chatting soon.

“I’m so glad you guys made it back to The City and I love that you’re staying for a while.

You look absolutely stunning.” I’m not sure who’s talking but she sounds like a great friend.

I miss a part of the conversation because it’s Niagara Falls down here, but I catch the name Marco and something about being very busy these last couple of months.

I feel ya, sister.

“I’ve barely seen him. Enzo and Tyler wanted to talk shop with him but he’s been going in early and coming back to the house late.” Now, it’s the other woman talking, her voice not as gravelly as the first.

“Yes, I’m so sorry about that, Lina. I promise I’ll talk to him.

” I wipe, I flush, I put all my bits back into my pantyhose and rearrange my dress, making sure everything is the way it should be.

There’s no fun in walking out of a bathroom with the skirt stuck in the back, showing off your nylon-covered ass. No fun at all.

Stepping out, I smile at the women and wash my hands before going to the towel dispenser. Fuck me, these women are gorgeous.

“Hi.” Short Hair is looking at me, talking to me.

“Uh, hi?” Oh, I was staring. Of course I was. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to stare but you are both so incredibly stunning, it’s making me self-conscious.” Kill. Me. Now.

“Oh, you are so kind. Thank you.” I’m blinded a little by their smiles. “But I have to say, people pay a lot of money for hair like yours, trust me.” I have no idea why she winks at me but I feel like I’ve been invited into a secret society of women empowering other women.

“Yeah, so I’ve been told. Thank you. I’m Bowie.” Fuck. Ohmyfuckinggod.

Short Hair holds out her hand. “I’m River, this is my sister, Madelina.” Damn, good genes. Also, we could create our own Funky Names Society.

“Well, thank you for this impromptu lift-me-up. Best bathroom break ever.” We all chuckle at my awkwardness as I walk out of the bathroom, my brain trying to understand what just happened in there.

Is it considered making friends? I mean, if I come back here, I may see them again and then we talk somewhere other than the fucking ladies’ room?

I’m confused because, besides Mickey, I don’t have a lot of friends that I made on my own. Everyone I know I met through him because I’ve always been too scared to create my own friendships.

“The fuck took you so long, Little Rabbit?” I was so lost in my thoughts that I didn’t notice Hadley standing just to the side of the door, his jaw no doubt working Tic Tacs in his mouth.

I grin, kind of proud of myself. “I just made myself two friends.” There’s a strong chance I sound like an insane person.

“Did you, now?” With one forearm pressed against the wall, Hadley has me sandwiched between it and his hard, menacing body.

“Yup, sure did.” When I bite my bottom lip, his fiery gaze hones in on the move and I swear to fuck his dick hardens against my stomach. And here I thought Orion would be my easy in. Maybe I was wrong. Maybe…evil twin is the kind that falls fast and hard.

The door beside us opens and my newfound friends come out giggling.

River and I lock eyes before her gaze goes to Hadley. Then all Hell breaks loose.

“I hope you’re not being disrespectful in my hotel, Mr. Beckett. You know my husband doesn’t take too kindly to his patrons being harassed.” Oh, shit. Oh, my God. She’s a…Mancini?

“I wouldn’t dream of it.” Hadley backs off a couple of inches and does nothing to hide the tent in his jeans. It’s a big tent. Like those family sized ones.

“Bowie, you’re okay?” Oh. Fuck. My. Life.

“Um…I…” My entire body goes full-on hot and I don’t need a mirror to know I’m red all over. My face, my neck, my chest.

“You can leave with me, you know?” Shit, my silence has alerted her but for all the wrong reasons. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

“No, no. I’m fine. I’m sorry. He’s my boss, I…” Shit, now it just looks like an HR problem. How did this situation escalate so fucking quickly?

“Bowie, huh? Didn’t see that name on your application.”

I am so fucked.