Total pages in book: 59
Estimated words: 54522 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 273(@200wpm)___ 218(@250wpm)___ 182(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 54522 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 273(@200wpm)___ 218(@250wpm)___ 182(@300wpm)
“But speaking of invitations,” he says just before he leaves. “Don’t forget about all of our business partners that you invited to the gala tonight at the club.”
The charity gala is an event that I host downstairs at the casino every year. Tickets are by my personal invitation only, and the high-dollar cost of attendance does indeed go to a charity of my choosing. But the purpose of the event isn’t actually one of a charitable kind. The gala is a front for one of the largest social gatherings that brings together all of my underground business partners in a single place at once. It’s a chance for them to see my power, wealth, and influence altogether, and for me to ensure their continued cooperation and the ongoing investment of their funds being funneled through my casinos.
For the first time, I decide that this year I’m going to bring a date.
“What’s this?” Isla asks as I walk in and hand her the stunning cocktail dress I had Zara pick up for her.
“It’s a dress,” I reply dryly.
Isla rolls her eyes at me and frowns. “I can see that, but why are you giving it to me?”
“I want you to wear it. I’m hosting a charity gala in the building tonight. One that will host many high-profile guests across all sectors of the city. I’d like you to be my guest.”
“You want to take me on a date?” she asks in wide-eyed astonishment.
“That’s a fairly simplistic categorization,” I say, feeling slightly amused. “But yes. I want you to dress the part and look nice.”
“Like arm candy.”
“Like the sophisticated dancer and beautiful woman that you are,” I say.
“Hang on a second,” she says as she considers my proposal. “Aren’t you trying to hide me? If I attend a high-profile event as your date, then won’t that let everyone know that you’re keeping me as a prisoner here?”
“Not if it looks like you’re accompanying me willingly.” It’s a plan that I thought of right after Luciano left my office. He was right about me not being able to keep Isla as a hidden captive forever, and since I refuse to kill her, then what better solution than to change the narrative entirely.
“That will never work,” she protests. “Word will get out, and it will get back to Madame Durant that you have me here. She’ll never believe that I disappeared and re-emerged here as your—”
Isla stops short, unsure how to finish that sentence.
“What even am I if not your prisoner?” she asks.
It’s a good question, one that I haven’t figured out an answer to yet.
“I think Celeste Durant will have no trouble believing it,” I say as I lay the dress down on the top of her bed. “Especially when she hears it straight from your own mouth.”
“What? She’s going to be there at the gala?”
“I have many acquaintances in the city that I deal with. You might recognize some of them.” I leave and let Isla get dressed, knowing now that she won’t refuse to accompany me. She’ll jump at the chance to see her dance instructor again, and she likely thinks that Celeste Durant will help her escape by my side tonight. But what Isla doesn’t yet know is that everyone in attendance at my club tonight will be under my strict control, including Madame Durant. That woman won’t do anything to jeopardize her precious dancer’s safety, and I’ve already warned her not to cause me trouble.
I smooth the lapel of my black suit with the palm of my hand while I wait for Isla in the penthouse living room. I’m in no rush to get down to the event. Being fashionably late lets people know they are on my time and not the other way around.
Junior opens the penthouse door to let Zara inside.
“Please tell me that the dress fits,” she says as the two of them walk in.
I shrug. “Not sure. She’s still in there getting changed. Perhaps you could go see if she needs any help.”
“Sure,” she smiles as she walks past me toward the bedroom. She gives me a cheeky wink on the way. “You clean up nice, Vincent.”
I catch Junior stifling a chuckle from the corner of my eye that he quickly hides. My crew’s youngest, Zara and Junior, remain unspoiled by life’s harsh realities. Unfortunately, they will be. We all are at some point, some more than others.
“Have they beefed up security for the evening?” I ask.
“Yes, sir,” Junior nods dutifully. “Extra men at each door and several sweeping throughout the event all night. There are two guys posted on every floor of the building. One soldier is doubling as bartender, pouring drinks with Gabriel for the event.”
“Perfect.” I don’t expect any trouble inside my club, but it’s my job to ensure that all of my business partners feel safe. Some of them don’t know each other well and may not get along, increasing the likelihood of disagreements. If that were to happen, my men would quickly shut it down.