Chapter 51

“I don’t trust that bastard!” Alexi makes me jump when he comes walking into the room, and I almost fall off the desk where I have been perched while waiting. I had been sitting picking my nails, lost in thought when he appeared, and I jump to my feet as he closes the door. Lucie has stopped bothering to show up half the time, so we are mostly alone on this floor nowadays, and it’s creepily quiet up here with all the new soundproofing downstairs. We feel locked in solitude, a million miles away from the club.

“What do you think he will do?” I ask impulsively, knowing he means Santagato, standing beside the desk as I am too antsy to sit back down, and my eyes are glued to him stalking around. He’s dressed formally tonight and looks painfully groomed and sleek in all black despite his agitated manner.

“I insulted him by saying no to his demands. He’s not the type to bypass something he wants. Stay up here for the rest of the night and keep out of his way. Let him leave and