Page 54 of Savage Suit

Like my father, Uncle Ed grew up learning the ins and outs of Keegan Enterprises. His calling hadn’t included the family business, and my grandfather disowned him.

My mother had convinced Dad to extend an olive branch to his older brother.

I pulled out my chair and sat as Reid summoned a waiter. “Whisky neat,” I told the fellow and watched as he scurried away to fill my order.

I glanced around one of the most exclusive men’s-only clubs in the city. It had an expensive initiation price and an annual membership fee in the thousands. Shades of browns and creams decorated the elegant surroundings, enhanced by muted lighting, and four-seat tables dotted on the floor. A circular counter, inlaid with marble, dominated the center of the room. The high-backed bar seats gave members the option of casual enjoyment or wheeling and dealing at the tables.

“The equipment was delivered to Ryan Hagen,” Nicholas announced after the waiter sat my drink in front of me and walked away.

I nodded and tasted the whisky, savoring it after my long day. After the anticipation of Ryan’s arrival dissolved into satisfaction that she showed up, I worked a bit after her departure. My concentration was shit, so I’d called Reid.

“Ryan?” Reid inquired, a strange expression on his face.

“Do you know her?” I asked, my hopes rising, as Nicholas said, “Hagen. Ryan Hagen, the woman meant to show the world that my brother isn’t a fucking chauvinist.”

Refusing to engage Nicholas, I remained focused on Reid. “Do you know Ryan?”

Nicholas snickered. “You mean, has he fucked her?”

“I mean, does he know her?” I gritted.

Reid thought for a moment. “No to both of you.”

Disappointment hit me, but my demeanor remained unchanged. “I can’t stay long.”

“Shocking,” Reid said with a straight face.

“Fuck off.” I swallowed half the contents of my glass before setting it aside and thrusting my fingers through my hair. This hunt was fucking insane. My reasonable certainty at Ryan’s identity should’ve sufficed. Except it didn’t. “This is about the masquerade ball.”

“The one you walked out on before we fucking sang happy birthday to my wife?” Nicholas asked, less-than-pleased.

“I didn’t want to be there in the first fucking place,” I said in a deadly calm tone. “I thought it was disrespectful and in poor taste, considering it was also Mother’s birthday.”

“What about it?” Nicholas bit out.

“Fuck all to do with you, Nick,” I retorted, redirecting my attention to Reid. “You were with two women that night. Sisters.” If Concerned Sister was, in fact, referring to Tina’s party.

“I was withonewoman that night,” Reid corrected. A muscle ticked in his jaw. “Who has since dumped me. Can you believe that? Me! One of the biggest catches around.I’msupposed to walk away.”

“Withis relative,” I told him, not caring to hear how much he loved himself. “Were you ever in the company of a gorgeous woman in a blue ball gown? Long black hair. Flawless golden skin.”

“Q’s workaholic sister,” Reid stated.

“Q?” Nicholas asked. “Who the hell is that? You invited random women into my home?”

“She’d never been to a society event such as that,” Reid answered without apology. “She asked for an invitation, and I saw to it she got one.”

“What is her family’s name?” Nicholas demanded. “Where does she live? What’s her background? You didn’t bring her to party. You brought a whore to my house for a fuck and to impress her with all the obvious wealth.”

“Whatever is bothering you, get over it,” Reid said. “She wasn’t a whore. Sheisn’ta whore. She’s a makeup artist, and she was my fucking date, along with her sister. They arrived after Noah’s presentation, but they were with me in the fucking ballroom for almost an hour.”

“I didn’t see you with two women. I remember a girl in pink attached to your side like a suction cup. As much as I wanted to come to you, I was constantly interrupted.” A look of distaste came over Nicholas’s face. “You don’t have to say anymore. She isn’t from our set.”

Reid stiffened. “I’m fucking ignoring that, dickwad. If I presume your meaning, things can get ugly.”

“In terms of wealth,” Nicholas clarified. “A little sensitive, aren’t we? What did you think I meant?”

“Nicholas, shut the fuck up,” I barked. “No one there carried a neon sign announcing their net worth, so maybe he should speculate. That’s between the two of you. Address the matter with Reid as much as you’d like once I’m finished with him.” I looked at Reid again. “Tell me about Q’s sister.” I wondered if he knew her full name and protected her identity.