Since there’s no way they could have known I’d be attending this party, it means I’m just a bonus. A lucky break. Because the Mannford reputation precedes us everywhere we go.
Are they after Ty? Or is this a cattle call for suspects.
“So, what do you say?” she asks, stepping closer, but not too close. “Want to get out of here and go to your place?”
I can either give her the cold shoulder and she’ll know I’m onto her, or I can play along. Reaching up, I run a finger along her jawline, letting my lips curl into a sensual smile that has her face heating red again. I wonder if it’s driving this undercover cop to madness knowing her suspect is turning her on.
“Yeah, babe, let’s get out of here.” I drop my hand and trail my stare down to her lips that are painted the same crimson as her dress. “I need to make my rounds and then I can leave. Why don’t you go ahead and get a head start? I’ll have my driver take you to a hotel I’ve booked for the night. Wait there for me. Naked.”
She deflates some, as though this wasn’t the answer she was looking for. “Alone?”
“What? You were wanting my brothers to be there too?” I flash her a wolfish grin. “We’ve been known to share our things on occasion, so I can certainly arrange that.”
“Sounds like a blast.” Another forced smile. “I can get my own ride though. Just let me know the address.”
“The Four Seasons. I’m right behind you. When you get there, ask for the Mannford room at the front desk. They’ll have a keycard for you. Order us some champagne and I’ll see you soon, beautiful.”
She downs the rest of her drink, presses a kiss to my cheek, and then saunters off. The woman is pretty, but she’s nothing compared to Landry. Landry is more than a pretty package. She’s fucking everything.
Ty’s gaze meets mine again and he seems to visibly relax. Okay, so maybe he really does want to help Landry, and by default, us. I finish my drink and then head in the opposite direction as cop Stasia. I’m getting the hell out of here. I did my duty, threw off the cops, and need to get back to my girl. So focused on my escape, I barely take note of the man I bump into.
“Excuse me,” we both say at the same time.
And then our eyes meet.
I’m eye-level, staring into the coldest blue eyes on the planet. Cruel, ruthless, insidious. It’s been years since I’ve been face to face with Winston fucking Constantine. The first difference I notice is he’s getting old. While he still exudes strength and power, I outmatch him on size. My shoulders are broader and my biceps threaten to tear the seam along my tuxedo jacket. I have youth and muscles on my side. All he has is his money.
The urge to knock my fist through his blinding white veneers is overwhelming. Hot rage burns in my gut and my hands curl into tight fists. I could do it—get my satisfaction by leveling his ass. If I’m lucky, I might hit hard enough to make the old geezer croak.
Then what?
Get my ass sent to prison where Landry and my brothers most definitely won’t be?
There’s a reason I attend these events and not Scout.
“Constantine,” I say, my tone cool and revealing nothing about my anger level. “Fancy meeting you here.”
His nostrils flare, an infinitesimal sign of his own feelings toward me. “Edward Jefferson doesn’t usually let rats into his elite parties. Especially not Mannford rats.”
“And, as you’re well aware of, we have the ability to get in wherever we want. Even into a corrupt politician’s ass-kissing party.”
He takes a step closer. “My wife says she saw one of you twats last week. Are you stalking her again? We all know what happened last time you meddled in my fucking affairs.”
I don’t back down, squaring my shoulders and leaning into him. “We’re not kids anymore, man. Your threats mean shit. I’m sure Ash was just seeing things.”
“Keep my wife’s name out of your mouth.”
The violence gleaming in his eyes brings me great joy. Watching a composed, indestructible man lose it so easily gives me a sense of power. Like maybe, just maybe, we’re on a more level playing field.
“See you around, Constantine.”
He grabs my bicep, preventing me from leaving. “Behave.”
Jerking my arm from his grip, I sneer at him. “Behave?” I growl. “We’re not teenagers you can fuck with anymore. Me and my brothers don’t abide by the same rules as you or our cousins. We do whatever the hell we want.”
Winston presses his lips together in a firm line. I can tell by the flare of his nostrils he wants to say more, but is calculating the risks. He knows I’m right. If he keeps antagonizing me, I’m going to fucking retaliate. We’re not a part of whatever agreement they had and it’s best he knows, because I won’t be intimidated.