Page 44

Jade

There was more bling in this room than in a jewelry store.

And more flipped lips than in the waiting room of LA’s finest surgeons.

And more stilettos than—

Okay, never mind, we were getting off track.

The point was that I was standing in the ballroom where the charity bachelor auction was about to go down, and if there was ever a time I felt more out of place, I couldn’t pinpoint it.

I was also feeling a little judgmental. Dressing for the event was one thing, but what was with all these people?

Maybe it was the money. They didn’t know how to spend it, so they pissed it away on superficial stuff. Thankfully, Red wasn’t like that.

But I was supposed to be one of them, whether or not I liked it—the charitable Jade Logan, fiancée to wealthy businessman Reddington Lyons—so I was going to try to forget all of that and be the best damn actress New York City’s elite had ever seen.

“Jadey!” As soon as Sherrilyn spotted me from the entrance, she elegantly walked over to greet me, wearing a black, satin designer ballgown. “Kiss, kiss!” she exclaimed, giving me—I mean, what else?—air kisses.

“Good to see you. Didn’t this place turn out magnificent?” We’d only talked about the decor a million times over, and I had been brought in to help at the eleventh hour.

Nodding, Sherrilyn didn’t seem to give a damn about the room or the actual event that she’d had such a big hand in. No, her eyes were too busy taking me and my black sheath dress in. “You look divine,” she finally declared in her usual overjoyed way. “You must tell me who your designer is.”

I smiled. “Bianca Morelli. I’ll tell her you like it.”

“Like?” She tsked. “I love! I must have her design something custom for me.”

“She’s my half sister, but she doesn’t design evening gowns. This was just a one-off.” Was it wrong that it made me a little happy to know she’d wanted something she couldn’t have?

A pout pulling at her bottom lip, she murmured, “Boo.” Then bouncing back faster than a slinky, Sherrilyn beamed again. “Anyway, did you see some of the hunky men backstage? I did, and let’s just say it’s a good thing I’m happily married, otherwise I might be a very broke woman after tonight.”

Sure, sure because paying for a date with a good-looking man seemed like her only option if she were single.

False. “I did not. I was, however, just about to go over and thank one of our biggest sponsors, who I heard not only donated money, but also his son. He’s having him auctioned off.

” And by heard, I meant Maria had told me.

The sponsor and man in question was none other than her soon-to-be father-in-law, Santo Deluca.

“Oooh, which hunk is he?”

I shrugged. That, I truly had no idea. Maria hadn’t said.

Not that it’d matter. I was pretty sure all the Delucas were hot.

“Can’t say,” I finally admitted when she didn’t seem appeased.

Really, what I should’ve said was just find the hottest Italian American male, and she’d have her answer. No idea why I didn’t say that.

“You ladies having a good time?” Red asked, interrupting us and slipping an arm around my waist, his lips finding my cheek. The way he grazed them against my skin sent tingles down my body. He turned to Sherrilyn. “Your husband around here?”

Peering around almost as if she had no idea where he went off to, she finally raised a shoulder and bit her bottom lip. “He should be, but I don’t see him. I might’ve lost track of him. Anyway, I’m going to go make my rounds. Sit together later?” she asked me expectantly.

It wasn’t like I could very well say no, and I honestly wouldn’t have wanted to anyway, so I nodded and smiled. “Absolutely.”

With Red’s arm wrapped securely around my waist, we turned to leave. Out of earshot, I released a deep breath. This world was exhausting to say the very least, and we’d only just arrived. Hell, the event hadn’t even started yet. I was so screwed.

Taking a glass of champagne for me from a passing waiter, Red pulled me close to his body and whispered in my ear as he passed me the glass. “You’re doing excellent.”

I might’ve responded if my body didn’t practically go limp from feeling his warm breath on the shell of my ear.

“Let’s go over here,” he said, leading me away from the crowd to the one and only secluded corner in the place.

“I should go find Santo Deluca. He’s Maria’s fiancé’s father.

Apparently, his son is around here somewhere, too.

And he did sponsor part of this thing, so it’s only right.

” I downed the contents of my glass in one gulp and eyed Red.

“Just give me a nudge, will you? I’m not sure my body will go on its own accord. ”

Laughing at me, he gently did just that, nudging me. “I’m going to see if I can find Mark. Meet you back here in fifteen before this thing kicks off?”

Nodding, I put one heel, one painfully high heel, in front of the other.

By this point, there were so many bodies milling about that I wasn’t sure I’d ever find anyone. Who knew that when you put the words charity and bachelor in the same sentence, you’d draw such a crowd?

Turning on my heel to see what my next move should have been, I was stopped. The warm hand of a man who wasn’t Red came down on my shoulder.

“Jade?” he asked me.

The man had attractive facial features that were so striking they couldn’t be denied by a nun.

Altogether, his handsome looks stuck out like hot pink in a sea of black.

He had dark, dark brown hair, so dark it was almost black, thick eyebrows, brown eyes that had a hint of darkness to them, matching his hair.

To top it all off, he had a strong, chiseled jawline and full lips every woman in this room would envy.

Or give their virginity, had any of them still had it, for a taste.

Although, it might have made them cougars given his obvious young age, not that I thought that’d be a problem in their eyes.

“Yes,” I answered and turned up my elite sophistication. “Do I know you?” I blinked rapidly, once, then twice, searching my brain for him.

Chuckling, he pulled at the front of his black designer (I was sure of it) suit in a suave manner.

Everything about him, including his choice of clothing, screamed I could cause serious emotional damage to you if we dated.

He didn’t scream fuck boy, but was definitely somewhere in that zone.

He seemed like he knew a thing or two about how to get the ladies.

And if he didn’t, his looks and expensive style did all the talking for him.

Black three-piece suit with satin lapels.

Black dress shirt.

Crimson tie.

Rolling on the balls of his immaculate black patent leather loafers, he finally answered my question about whether I knew him. I didn’t think I did. I felt like I’d remember a face like his. “Nah, but I know you. You’re the newest Morelli.”

Biting back a cringe, I addressed his inaccurate statement.

“Not technically. My name’s Jade Logan.” Morelli was Regina’s husband’s surname.

If anyone knew Regina’s last name, I’d consider using it, but, honestly, Logan seemed to be as meaningless as her maiden name, so why bother?

Besides, I had been a Logan since day one.

“Same thing,” he said, brushing me off and smiling wide.

Okay, whoever he was, he clearly wasn’t one for facts.

Again, I was drawn to his lips. If I wasn’t currently completely satisfied in the area of carnal desires lately, then I could have only imagined the things those lips could do to a girl. “I’m sorry, I don’t think I caught your name.” And by caught , I mean, you didn’t give it, so maybe you could.

“Name’s Marco Deluca.” Deluca. . . Deluca. . . “I’m the fresh blood my dad volunteered for this thing. Lucky, huh?”

Then it hit me like a ton of bricks. Of course! This was Santo Deluca’s son. Dom’s brother.

At first glance, I never would’ve been able to guess, but in hindsight, it was obvious.

The dark hair, how ridiculously handsome he was, and the swagger.

Duh, Jade. “Marco Deluca,” I said, letting the name roll off my tongue.

“It’s nice to meet you. I’ve heard a lot about Dom’s brothers, but to finally get to meet one?

I’m the lucky one, huh?” Sounded ridiculous, right?

Remember, I was being sophisticated here.

Not that it was false, it was genuinely nice to meet one of Dom’s brothers, but if I were being me, then I definitely would’ve said it differently.

Something more along the lines of I’ll be damned. You’re Dom’s brother?

Laughing, his eyes crinkled. “Oh, I get it. You’re not one of these people.”

Biting my bottom lip, I cringed, this time not hiding it. “That obvious, huh?”

Still laughing, he nodded. “Only to me probably. I’m what you’d call a straight shooter. My dad always says one day it’ll get my balls busted, but can’t change who you are, can you?”

Thankfully, Red wouldn’t want me to. I never showed him anything other than the real me, and he didn’t seem to have a problem with it.

The acting was purely for Mark and Sherrilyn’s benefit.

I didn’t want to be the reason this deal didn’t go through.

“I’m trying for the sake of tonight,” I admitted simply because I liked this guy.

I felt comfortable around him, and it’d only been a few minutes.

“Waste. Be proud of who you are, whoever the hell that is, Jade Logan.”

Easy for him to say. He’d spend a few minutes here, walk across a stage, get bid on like he was a priceless artifact, and then leave until he had to pretend to be interested in whoever bought him for a date. “I’m here with Reddington Lyons.”

“ Madone, ” he said, and my Italian was rusty, but I knew I’d surprised him by that exclamation.

“You’ve heard of him?” Although, I should’ve figured.

“Everyone’s heard of him. Lyons Enterprises is no joke. You dating the hotshot?”

With a quick look over my shoulder, I shook my head.

There may have been a lot of people around, but I doubted so very much that anyone gave a crap about my conversation.

“I’m supposed to be engaged to him to appease some investor,” I said, attempting a whisper, rolling Red’s diamond around my finger.

Marco let out a roar of laughter that threatened to make the floor shake. “You Morellis are a fun group, aren’t you? Or pazze . I’m not sure.” Verdict might have still been out on whether we were fun or crazy.

“You’ve heard stories?” I asked, thinking about Perla. Even Allie. Who knew, maybe he knew about Bianca and her love triangle situation. But, before I could ask which ones, I spotted Mark walking by us. Damn it.

Sucking in air, he nodded. “Oh, yeah, I’ve heard stories. Sunday night dinner is always more amusing when Dom comes.”

Mmhmm. Sounds great. My mind was preoccupied, though. “Did you see that man? Did he come from the bathroom?” I asked, pointing to the door behind us.

Marco shook his head. “No idea, sorry. If it doesn’t have two long legs and a nice round ass, as a general rule I don’t watch it.” At least he’s honest.

I sincerely hoped that Mark hadn’t heard us, otherwise I was so screwed. And so was Red. And his company. Fuck.

Desperately trying to focus and let the nagging concern in the back of my mind go, I shook my head. “I was looking for your dad. Do you know where he is?”

“Schmoozing around here somewhere,” he said, shrugging casually.

“Yeah,” I murmured as the bell rang, signaling the start of the auction.

“That’s my cue. I’m up first,” he told me like he couldn’t be happier about that fact.

“Bleed them!” I winked, truly hoping tonight went well for him.

* * *

Reddington

“I didn’t think you’d ever stop talking to that guy,” I admitted once we were sitting down.

Jade smiled. “Jealous?”

Please, as if I’d give her the satisfaction of knowing that yes, I was, in fact, jealous. I didn’t like seeing her talk to other guys, so sue me. “Don’t be ridiculous.”

She nodded, that smile still tugging on the corners of her lips. Even her eyes were dancing, alit with amusement. “That’s Dom’s brother, Marco. I like him.”

It was a weird feeling. My mind was at odds with itself.

On the one hand, it was nice she finally genuinely liked someone from this world, and he was the family of her family’s family.

Was that even a coherent thought? Anyway, on the other hand, he was a red-blooded man, and Jade was both hot and intriguing—a winning combination.

Yeah, it was decided, I didn’t like it, but I’d have to let it go.

The thing was, that guy could piss in a bush because Jade was wearing my ring. In every sense of the word, I was proud to say, Jade was my girl.

For now. . . .

Damn it.

Then she elbowed me. “That’s him. That’s Marco.” She pointed to the stage as the emcee talked about this guy and how he worked for a casket company. Morbid, but okay.

“Mmhmm.”

I couldn’t stop myself from studying him closely though, the little shit, standing there like he was some hotshot.

Angling his head this way and that way. Pulling on the lapels of his jacket.

Spinning on his heel to give everyone a nice shot of his ass.

He was obviously young. Too young for Jade.

She needed a mature man. A man with a respectable job, like CEO, not Daddy’s little bitch.

Yeah, it went without saying, I did not like this guy.

But the women of New York City did, if the bidding war that was currently underway was any indication. There were three women throwing up paddles like they were up a creek.

“Fifty grand?” I seethed as I checked with Jade. This couldn’t be real. My ears must’ve been mistaking me.

She shrugged, still smiling like she’d slept with a hanger in her mouth.

“It’s for charity.” Then she nudged my arm again and pointed to my side.

“My money’s on the older woman with the hat.

She’s intense, and besides, I think she can show our guy a good time, right?

” Our guy? Since the fuck when? “Meanwhile”—she kept whispering in my ear while the bidding war went on—“do you think she already has plans for their date?”

“Sure, yeah.” I glanced down at my watch. Suddenly, charity or not, this event couldn’t end soon enough. Goddamn Cavallos for sucking us into this shit.