Page 32 of The Midnight Club

Ori kissed him. “I wouldn’t change a thing about what we have, Maceo. I only wish I had thought to bring AJ back here with us.”

Maceo nodded, his eyes sad. “I know.” His arms tightened around her. “The police will find out who did this,mio caro. Alex is like a dog with a bone with the investigation. In the meantime, we won’t let it affect our happiness.”

“Agreed.” She pressed her mouth to his. “I love you, Maceo. Take me to bed.”

Grinning, he did as she asked and as they made love, Maceo’s huge cock driving into her, Ori knew that, together, they would be able to defeat any problems that came their way.

Alex Milland satin countless meetings with police both in Italy and New York, but none of them could find out who was behind the website, and who was threatening Maceo’s new love. Alex was frustrated. Maceo could hire more and more protection, but it was still too easy to get to Ori, Alex thought.

When he returned to New York, he went to see his half-sister, Netta. Much younger than Alex, she was an undergrad at Columbia, and the offspring of Alex’s late father and a Mexican artist from the Bronx. Netta had a fractious relationship with the Milland half of the family—from a young age she had been fiercely feminist, much to Alex’s father’s disgust. She and Alex also had times where they didn’t communicate for long periods, the difference being that Netta adored Alex and he adored her, but they shared a common trait of not needing to be around peopleallof the time.

His sister greeted him now at the doorway of her dormitory. Netta was damned if she would join a sorority.Vapid narcissists,she had declared the students who joined them. Netta got away with her strident opinions because of her beauty, her spirit, and her incredible brain, which made sure she was top of the class of every subject she took. Her dark eyes flashed with defiance, her smoothcafé-au-laitskin, full red lips, and curvy physique made her popular too—with menandwomen.

Alex kissed her on the cheek. “You hungry, sis?”

“Always.”

They went to a local burger joint and stuffed their faces with patties laden with grilled onions and Swiss cheese. Netta moaned with delight at the taste and Alex had to laugh. Netta always made his heart lift.

“So, how goes things, bro?” Netta wiped her mouth on the back of her hand.

“So-so,” Alex said honestly. “Still no progress on the case—and now it looks like Maceo’s girlfriend is being targeted.”

“Maceo has a girlfriend?” Netta looked astonished, “He’s made an actual commitment?”

Alex grinned. “He has, as amazing as it seems.” Maceo and Netta, out of all of his friends, got along famously, kidding around with each other constantly. “She’s lovely, too. Here.”

He handed her his phone, showing her a photo he had taken of Maceo and Ori. He watched his sister as she studied the picture, wondering if she too would pick up on Ori’s resemblance to Viola. From Netta’s expression, he guessed she did.

“Woah.”

He nodded. “Yep.”

Netta handed his phone back. “That’s some freaky shit. And she’s being threatened too?”

Alex nodded. “It’s a fucking mess. Anyway … distract me, please. What’s up with you?”

Netta rolled her eyes. “My life is classes followed by classes with food in between.”

Alex grinned. “No hook-ups?”

“None worth mentioning.”

“Bummer.”

“Word. I’m the proverbial dull Jack, all work, no play. Hey, when is the Club getting together again? If they’re bringing girlfriends, I could be your date and finally discover what you get up to together.”

Alex laughed. “I can assure you, Netta, when you reach 39, the most exciting thing you can think of to do is sit around with a bottle of scotch, talking about nothing much and still getting an early night.”

“Party animals,” she said mockingly, and Alex shrugged good-naturedly.

“That’s us. Look, I have to get back … you okay for money?”

Netta rolled her eyes. Their father might have cut her out of his will, but Alex had still given her half of everything he inherited. She hugged her half-brother now. “You’re the best, you know?”

“I know. You’re a lucky girl ...” Alex chuckled and Netta joined in. She thumped him playfully.

“Get out of here.”