Page 14 of King of Desire (Kings of Las Vegas #2)

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Honeyeh

Charlotte gets drawn into another conversation and I do my best to amuse myself while Triston is gone.

I sample a few of the appetizers, chat with random guests, do my best to look as though I belong in this world.

But as I’m between conversations and feeling very awkward, I get a tap on my shoulder.

I turn around to find Brittany from my last waitressing job standing behind me.

“Brittany,” I gasp, turning to hug her. “I can’t believe you’re here. I was thinking of you just yesterday.”

She hugs me back. “Me too. I wondered if I’d see you here.” She steps back, her eyes moving down me. “You look like you stepped out of the movie, Pretty Woman .”

I flush. It’s a compliment and I appreciate it, but also… “You look great too.”

She preens, strutting in a circle, as she strikes several poses. “I came with one of my regulars. He’s an amazing tipper, but he likes to see a lot of skin.”

I’m not judging. The truth is, what I’m doing tonight is not that far off from being an escort. I’d like to have some moral high ground, but with Darius and his condition, I simply can’t.

An older, portly man moves to stand at her side, his beefy hand coming to her back. He looks completely smitten and Brittany gives him a charming smile in return. “This is my friend, Honeyeh. Honeyeh, this is John Waltham.”

He barely looks at me, which I honestly consider a point in his favor. I wonder if he’d marry her?

Brittany seems like she could use the stability.

John leaves again to fetch drinks for us and we both watch him go. “How serious is it with him?”

Brittany shrugs. “Maybe serious. I have all these dreams, you know, but also, I’m tired of messing around with a bunch of guys who only want one thing, you know?”

“Yeah.” I never wanted to mess with those guys, so I get it.

“I’m getting some money together to take one more modeling class. If that doesn’t work…” She shrugs. “How’s working for Triston Smith?”

“Weird,” I answer with a small shiver. I don’t even know how to tell her that the attraction I feel is making it so difficult for me to make rational decisions.

And then there is the way he treats me, which is not quite like an employee, but not like a girlfriend either. I sigh, with a shake of my head. “Working for a man that good looking is just tough.”

She laughs then. “If I worked for him, I think I’d just throw myself naked in front of him and see if he took me up on the offer.”

I laugh too, but mine is a nervous laugh because after tonight, it’s not sounding like a bad choice.

He’s wrapped me in clothes and jewels, his hand at my back in a way that feels like possession, and I only want more.

“Is the pay good?” she asks, her voice dropping.

I nod. “Really good.”

She squeezes my hand. “I’m glad. I know you probably don’t need it, but I just want you to know that my offer still stands. If you ever needed me to hook you up with my boss…”

“Thanks, Brittany. I appreciate your offer of help.” Even though I’m glad I don’t have to take it.

John comes back, placing a glass of champagne in my hand, just as Triston moves through the crowd toward us. His gaze cuts across Brittany and John, before he shoulders his way to my side.

His fingers wrap possessively around my hip, pulling my body into his. “Hello,” he says, giving Brittany a sweeping gaze before his eyes land on John. “Thanks so much for coming, I’m Triston Smith, I don’t think we’ve met.”

John holds out his hand, appearing delighted. “Chairman Waltham, pleased to make your acquaintance.”

Chairman? Is Brittany’s client a politician? Interesting…

Triston shakes with his free hand, speaking with John for a minute before they agree to talk next week over lunch.

Then Triston is pulling me away. “Everything all right?” I ask, my hand covering his at my hip.

“Fine,” he gives me a smile. “Chairman Waltham was on my list of people to make contact with this evening so that was an unexpected bonus.”

“That’s a relief, I thought you were unhappy.”

His lips twitch down. “I am curious how you ended up in conversation with them, considering he brought an escort to the party.”

My mouth drops open. Was Brittany that obvious? “He seems really into her.”

“Maybe,” Triston answers, stopping in the middle of the ballroom and raising his brows as he waits for my answer.

“Brittany works at Mason’s hotel as part of the waitstaff. She was at Killian’s wedding too, helping with the tables and chairs.”

His brows fall now, confusion pulling them together. “Did she? I’m usually better with faces, but I don’t remember her at all.”

My free hand settles on the side of his ribs. I don’t say it, but it actually makes me feel good he didn’t notice Brittany that night. Only me.

He dips his face toward mine, his lips kissing that spot just below my ear that makes me shiver. I turn my head to the side and catch Brittany’s stare. I flush, worried she thinks I lied.

When he lifts back up, his face close to mine, he rumbles. “I have some people I’d like you to meet.”

“All right.”

“They’re future partners, most likely, and I’m bringing you with me to help soften the edges.”

I wrinkle my nose. “You want me to help you close a deal? Are you sure?”

“Just be yourself, Honeyeh, and you’ll be a big help.” And then he starts leading me across the ballroom again.

We make our way up his personal stairs and down the hall to his office where Mason and Charlotte wait with three men and another woman.

She’s blonde and the kind of beautiful that makes my jaw drop.

Charlotte takes my hand. “Come meet my sister-in-law, Nia Kincaid.” Then she waves at the blonde. “Nia, I have to introduce you to my friend, Honeyeh Karimi.”

Nia steps forward, a warm smile on her gorgeous mouth. She looks like Marilyn Monroe with long hair. “Hi, Honeyeh. So nice to meet you.”

She leans into kiss my cheek and I give her a kiss back, thinking that Charlotte has managed to find such a wonderful place in life.

“Come meet my cousins,” Nia turns to the men behind her.

Three handsome men with dark hair and piercing gazes stand just behind her. “This is Matteo, Nico, and Lorenzo Andriani.”

I dip my chin, meeting each of their gazes, as I do my best to smile. There is an intensity to these men that I find just a bit frightening.

That’s when Triston steps up next to me again, his fingers sliding down the bare skin of my arm in a light touch that sends a message of clear possession that I really appreciate. They’re dangerous.

I want to sink into Triston and his strength.

His hand leaves my arm, but only to settle on my waist. I sink into his side. “It’s a pleasure to meet you,” I say, dipping my chin. “Do you all live in Vegas?”

“Born and raised,” Matteo returns, his tux and shirt black with a red tie. His looks are so striking that I drop my gaze again. “You?”

I shake my head. “I was born in Iran. My mother brought us here when I was eleven.”

“What made her choose Vegas?” Nico asks. He is less harsh-looking than Matteo, maybe because he’s younger, but he carries the same penetrating gaze.

“At the time, the casinos were expanding and there was a great deal of work.” I always thought my mother wished to hide as well. I don’t know why. Whatever secrets she carried, she took with her.

“So what do you do here in Vegas?” Lorenzo asks, the most mild-mannered of the three.

“I attend UNLV,” I answer. “I met Charlotte Kincaid my freshman year. It’s taking me longer to get my degree, but I’m slowly working my way through the pre-law program.”

Triston’s fingers fan out on my hip. “Honeyeh is her brother’s guardian.”

I feel all three of the Andriani’s soften. Is that what I’m here for? A sympathy move? I stiffen a bit. I am happy to help Triston, but I don’t want to be some dancing monkey.

But Matteo clears his throat. “It’s a blessing and curse, isn’t it?”

My head snaps up as Mason steps up next me. “What is?”

“Being a guardian to your siblings. Changes a person.”

Mason makes a soft noise of agreement. My lips purse.

Looking at them, I think they were both made for responsibility.

The strength rolls off them. For me, it’s been love that carries me forward.

My hands fold over my stomach. “If one of you might be able to give me the secret to running a successful company, I’d be very grateful.

I could use the funds for Darius’s care. ”

All the men rumble out a laugh. And it was a ridiculous comment. They are successful because they are smart and driven. There is no secret. I don’t need to have their success either, I just need to get ahead of the curve that I always seem behind.

Matteo eyes me, his head cocking just to the right. “You, Honeyeh, have all the attributes you need to have endless amounts of money at your disposal. How old is your brother?”

Is he talking about my looks? One has to have time to date to utilize those, but I don’t correct him. “Darius is fifteen, nearly sixteen.”

“Nearly a man.”

My shoulder lifts. If I can get him to the age of eighteen, he will be.

Mason clears his throat. “Charlotte and Honeyeh can step out if you have more questions for us that are more of a business nature.”

“Not necessary,” Matteo shakes his head. “We’re ready to sign.”

I feel the air leave Triston’s lungs. Was this important?

The men move to the desk where they lean over the desk, Charlotte stepping up next to me.

“For whatever it’s worth, Triston touches you like you’re precious.”

Maybe I am. But I can’t afford to take a risk. And Triston is the least safe man I know.