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Matthias

“Mr. Montclair!” a deep voice calls from over my shoulder.

I turn to see Senator Prescott approaching. He’s an older, lanky man with gray hair obviously combed over to hide his balding, wire-framed glasses perched on his long nose, and enough wrinkles to expose his age. Even with his above average height, I tower over him at six foot four inches.

“I was hoping to catch you. You’ve been popular tonight. Then again, you always have people lining up for your attention.”

Oh God, not another one. When will this night end?

I force a laugh. “That does seem to be the case. How can I help you, Senator?”

“I wanted to discuss your newest piece of tech. I’ve heard rumors it’s quite the advancement,” he says, eyes filled with thinly veiled greed.

This is how my life goes as the CEO of Syndicate Enterprise, one of the biggest private defense and security companies in the nation. People always want something from me. They weasel their way into my life. It happens everywhere, especially at these damn galas.

“Now Senator, this is a party. Why don’t we set up a call on Monday to discuss business? I wouldn’t want to keep you from your wife.” I glance over his shoulder and suppress a grin at the sight of his inebriated wife blatantly flirting with a much younger man.

With that, I shake his hand and walk away.

I have no more patience for pleasantries.

My usual charisma has been depleted. It was a long day at the office, closing out an even longer week at the office.

The last thing I want to be doing on a Saturday night is entertain the social elite of Boston.

These charity galas are merely facades, excuses for the self-important to shmooze one another.

But as the face of Syndicate Enterprise, I have to make an appearance and don my own mask. My role in the family demands it. Although it has its inconveniences, like wasting my weekend at an event I couldn’t care less about, we all knew I was the best man for the job.

With my charming, approachable demeanor and ability to dominate a boardroom, not to mention my insanely good looks that have women desperate for me, I exude power. People trust a good face and easy smile. It’s not all an act; I do enjoy the finer things in life.

My older brother, Dominic, was born to be the head of the Syndicate.

No one dares defy Dom. His men respect him, and his enemies fear him.

He’s cold. Calculating. Which makes him perfect to rule our criminal empire.

So, he took over when our father stepped down.

That, and he’s bossy as fuck. Maybe a good lay will loosen him up and melt that frigid heart of his.

Hell, maybe I’ll pay a woman to keep him company.

Not that he’d appreciate it. He’d probably shoot me for the thoughtful gesture.

Roman, our younger brother, would be a disaster running the legal side of our operations.

He doesn’t have the patience or composure for boardrooms and galas.

He’s better with his… fists. And weapons.

No one can resist spilling secrets once Roman gets involved.

Anyone who crosses us faces his wrath. He definitely has some anger issues.

He’s honestly a little terrifying, but that makes him the perfect enforcer for the Syndicate.

Sebastian, the youngest, is far too intelligent to waste his talents at events like this.

Not that I’m not intelligent, I am. He’s just a genius, not that I’d ever admit it to him; he’d enjoy that far too much.

Bash can do things with computers that shouldn’t be possible.

It’s actually terrifying how little privacy people have.

He’s the brain behind everything, both legal and otherwise.

But don’t be fooled, he can be just as lethal as the rest of us.

Which leaves me, Matthias Montclair, as the CEO of Syndicate Enterprises. I love what I do. And I’m damn good at it. There’s a reason the Montclair name is now synonymous with security and defense instead of crime.

When our father passed down the organization, we decided to clean up our reputation and start working in the light as well.

We built Syndicate Enterprises as a way to legitimize ourselves, and it’s now a multibillion-dollar empire.

This company is my baby, and I’ve nurtured and shaped her into the powerhouse she is today.

Which is why I’m here. While my brothers prowl around the underbelly of the city, I play the role of polished businessman.

I check my watch: eight thirty p.m .

How is it so early?

I promised myself I would stay until the auction ended. Which takes place in an hour and a half .

I excuse myself from yet another mind-numbing conversation in search of some food, or better yet, booze.

I don’t normally drink at these events, preferring to keep a clear head, but tonight, I need something strong to get through the next, I check my watch: eight thirty-seven p.m., hour and twenty-three minutes.

At the bar, I order a whiskey neat. The first sip sends a soothing burn down my throat. It warms my body, easing some of the tension. I take a few deep breaths trying to summon patience.

It’s not working.

So, I take another sip. Then another. Until finally, I feel like I can survive until ten p.m.

I check my watch again: eight fifty-five p.m.

Only one more hour of this nonsense. I can handle that.

“There you are, darling! I’ve been looking all over for you,” a shrill voice chirps.

I turn around to see a blonde in a tight dress approaching.

Fuck. I forgot I brought a date.

I had thought that if I at least had a woman to go home with, it’d make the evening more bearable.

I couldn’t have been more wrong.

Just the sound of her voice annoys me. I’m in no mood for this.

“Adrienne.” I address her with a grin. It’s not her fault she grates on my nerves. It’s just been a long week. Maybe a good lay will help me relieve the stress.

She must be thinking the same thing because she curls up to my side and thrusts out her fake tits. She shoots me a salacious grin, but it does nothing for me. She just seems too eager.

She’s one of my regulars. We’ve had our fun, but I’m bored. Maybe I just miss the chase. Women throw themselves at me. There’s no challenge anymore. Maybe I might even want more than just sex. I’m getting older. Fuck, I’m thirty-four. It could be time I settle down.

Or maybe I’m just tired. I’ll be better tomorrow once I’m rested up.

“Let’s see if there’s anyone else I need to talk to before I go,” I say, more to myself than to her.

My California king consumes my thoughts. Silk sheets and warmth wait for me at home.

She must misinterpret my disinterest in the party as interest in her, because she leans in and whispers in my ear, “Or we could find a closet. You’re looking a little tense. I can help with that.” She shoots me a wink.

I hold back a shudder. I could not be any less interested in sex with her right now.

“Not now. I still have a few people I need to catch.” I let her down gently.

“Are you sure? I’ll let you do anything you want.” She pouts her lips in a way that she must think is sexy but makes her look like a toddler throwing a tantrum.

“We’re not hooking up in a supply closet at a gala with business associates around.” I’m losing my patience.

“Fine. Come find me when you’re ready to leave.”

“I’m going home alone tonight. I can get you a cab if you need.”

I’m still a gentleman after all. I’ll make sure she has a ride home, but knowing her, she’ll probably try to find another rich man’s bed to get into tonight. Not my problem.

“Don’t bother!” She huffs and storms away.

I assumed correctly. Good luck to the man she sinks her claws into for the night. I really need to end things with her.

At least that’s settled. I check my watch: nine twenty-three p.m. Good enough; I’m heading home. My patience has run dry, and my bed’s siren song is too seductive to ignore.

** *

As I pull into my driveway, my phone rings.

Dom .

If he’s calling when he thinks I’m at a business gala, it must be serious.

“Dom, what is it?” I ask, too exhausted for greetings. Every second that delays me from my bed isn’t worth my energy.

“The Bratva is up to no good. I’m not sure what, but something doesn’t feel right.” His tone is hard.

Dom’s good at what he does. If he has a feeling something is amiss, then we take that seriously. He’s rarely wrong.

“What makes you say that?”

“They’re getting bolder and seem to have more money to throw around, but I don’t know where it’s coming from. Keep an eye out on the legal side of things. Let me know if you hear anything.”

He hangs up before I can respond.

As I get ready for bed, a strange sense of anticipation settles over me. Something is coming. I don’t know what, but I can feel it. And for the first time in a while, I’m excited.

I’m ready for something new.