Chapter 20

Chapter Twenty

W hat a fucking day it’s been. I’ve been putting out one fire after the other. I probably would be blowing a gasket if it wasn’t for the gorgeous woman sitting beside me. Shardonnay is a fucking godsend in more ways than one. I don’t think I’ve ever met someone who can rattle me the way she does. To say I was shocked when she walked into my office today and stripped down before demanding that I fuck her over my desk is an understatement.

Also, a request I wasn’t going to say no to. A naked Shardonnay could get me to do anything. It’s dangerous how much control she has over me, and the best part of that is she doesn’t even know it.

Tucking her hair behind her ear, I lean in and whisper, “Are you okay? Do you need anything?”

Her returning smile lights up my whole world. “I’m good. How are you?” she asks.

“Well, I’m going home with the hottest chick in the club. I’m pretty damn good, babe.”

She laughs. “Well, whoever she is, you better be prepared to dig her grave because I’m not sharing you, Xavier,” she says.

“She is you, Shardonnay. Don’t pretend you don’t know that.” I nip at her earlobe.

“Thank God.”

“We can go now if you want. I don’t mind.”

Shardonnay shakes her head. “Lucy will be here any minute. I can’t leave before she arrives.”

I groan. Don’t get me wrong, I love my little sister, but fuck is she high-fucking-maintenance. “I don’t understand how you’re best friends with her. You’re like polar opposites.”

“You don’t have to understand it. Just know it’s a fact that won’t ever change,” Shardonnay says.

“I know.” I look across the small room.

We’re sitting on the VIP couches. Nathan and Bentley are opposite us, neither looking like they’re in the partying mood. At least they both know about my relationship with Shardonnay. I don’t have to pretend here. We’re not at the office. Not that Nathan and Alistair haven’t warned me about being seen in public with my secretary, like this, when we’re actively fighting a sexual harassment lawsuit. I don’t give a fuck. What I have with Shardonnay isn’t a dirty little secret. I’m fucking proud as punch that she’s mine.

Alistair went to the bathroom about thirty minutes ago. Which isn’t unusual for him. He obviously fell into someone’s welcoming pussy along the way.

“Bentley, let’s dance.” Shardonnay pushes to her feet. “Lucy just walked in. Let’s go meet her.” I go to stand, fully intending on following her to the dance floor, and not because I want to dance. But because I want to make sure no other douchebags try to grind up on my fucking girl. “Nope, girls only. I won’t be long.” Shardonnay blows me a kiss and I sit back down and pout.

My eyes follow them until they reach the stairs that lead to the second floor. I turn and peer over the glass railing beside me. It’s pointless though. I can’t make out shit amongst the crowd.

“Relax, have a drink. She’ll be fine,” Nathan says, right as Alistair slides into the seat next to me.

“Where’d Shar and Bentley disappear to?” he asks.

“They went to dance,” I grunt, picking up the bottle of Scotch from the middle of the table and refilling my glass. I’ve been taking it easy on the drinks. I don’t want to be so intoxicated I won’t be able to look after Shardonnay if she needs anything.

“Well, you two fools need to get over yourselves. I didn’t sign up to be mates with grumpy old fuckers,” Alistair says.

“You’re the oldest one here,” I remind him.

“By a month. So lighten up. The world is not fucking ending.”

“Maybe not for you. Your associate didn’t just quit on you. And why the fuck is she even here? Who invited her?” Nathan asks.

“I did. Figured she needed a night out. She’s been working for your sour ass for a month. Fuck, I’d need a whole fucking brewery if I had to be either of your associates.” Alistair laughs.

“Fuck off,” Nathan throws back at him.

“I’ll be back. Try not to kill each other. I don’t want to deal with the paperwork,” I say as I stand. I don’t like that I can’t see Shardonnay. I know I’ve got fucking issues. I just don’t fucking care.

I’m stopped at the bottom of the stairs by Ash, the owner of this new club. He’s also the cousin of Dominic McKinley and married to Dominic’s other cousin, Breanna. Ash has a heap of nightclubs across the country—Unhinged being one of his latest ventures. “Xavier, you’re the last person I expected to see here.”

“Really, why?” I ask.

“Because you’re old and fucking grumpy.” He laughs. “What do you think of the joint?”

“My girlfriend likes it.” I shrug.

He raises an eyebrow at me. “Your girlfriend? You actually found someone to put up with you?”

“Yep, that one right there.” I point to where Shardonnay is dancing with Lucy and Bentley. My eyes are drawn to the dark shadow looming behind them. “Should I be concerned that your cousin seems to be obsessing over my little sister?” I ask Ash.

“What cousin?” He looks to the dance floor. “Fucking Dom,” he curses, then turns back to me. “His bark is worse than his bite. He wouldn’t hurt a hair on a woman’s head. Trust me.”

“Yeah, I’m still not sure I like the idea of them being a two if you get my drift.”

“In my experience, you can’t stop that shit. If it’s gonna happen, it’ll happen. Unless you want to isolate your sister, all you can do is be there if she needs you.”

I know his words are true—doesn’t make me not want to go and drag Lucy away though.

“Yeah, I know.” I look back at the dance floor, right as some guy slides up behind Shardonnay. And I see fucking red. I storm their way. By the time I reach them, the guy is laid out on the floor, Dominic leaning over him while whispering something in his ear.

I watch as the douchbag’s face turns ghost white. He scrambles upright and runs in the direction of the door. “What’d you say to him?” I ask Dominic.

“I told him that she’s a mafia princess, and if he touched her again, I’d cut his fucking hands off. Bit by bit. Make him watch as I fed them to my uncle’s pigs.” He doesn’t blink or smile to suggest he’s joking.

“Ah, thanks.” I’m not really sure how to take the guy. I wrap my arm around Shardonnay’s waist. “Can we leave yet?” I ask her. I’d much rather be at home, snuggled up on the couch watching shitty television with her. I don’t need to do this partying shit anymore.

She looks at me and then nods her head. “Let me just tell Lucy and Bentley we’re leaving,” she yells into my ear.

I reluctantly release her and watch as she talks to the other two girls. “Lucy, you want a lift home?” I offer.

She looks behind me and smirks. “No, I’m good. I’m going to find some unsuspecting frat boy in here to take me home and fuck me senseless,” she says.

“Please, for the love of God, just let me drive you home. How the fuck am I meant to sleep tonight knowing that’s your plan?” I say into her ear.

“Don’t worry, I was joking,” she says. “Kind of.”

“Well, that’s a relief.” I shake my head. “Is Tim waiting for you?”

“Yes. I’m fine, Xavier. I’m a big girl. I can look after myself.” She rolls her eyes at me. They say you go grey from worrying about your children. I think Lucy is going to send me grey before I even get the chance to have children.

I take Shardonnay’s hand and turn around. Dominic is still standing there, his eyes fixed on my sister. “Can you make sure she gets home?” I ask him, though I’m not really sure why, but I have a feeling he’s not about to let her out of his sight anytime soon.

He doesn’t answer; however, he does nod his head. Right, that’s it, I guess. Once we’re in the town car, I lean my head back and sigh.

“You okay?” Shardonnay asks.

“I don’t like leaving Lucy there alone.”

“She’s not alone. She’ll be fine,” she tries to assure me.

“Yeah, I know. What do you know about her and Dominic?” I ask her, opening my eyes to pin her with a glare.

“Ah, nope. We are not discussing your sister’s relationships or anything like that. I don’t want to lie to you, Xavier, and I also can’t betray Lucy’s confidence. Please don’t ever put me in a position where I have to choose.”

Fuck, I didn’t mean to do that to her. She’s right. She shouldn’t have to choose. I tell her as much. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to make you feel like you had to choose. Just tell me one thing. If she was in any sort of trouble, you’d let me know, right?”

“Of course I would. Even if we’re not dating anymore, I would still call you if I thought Lucy needed help or was in trouble.”

“The only time we’re not going to be dating ,” I say, using finger quotation marks, “is when we’re married, babe.” I smile.

“You’re really sure about this, huh?”

“I’ve never been more certain of anything in my life.” Tugging her head close to mine, I slam my mouth down on hers. I pull away and lick at her bottom lip. “You taste like cranberry.” I grin.

“It’s the Cosmos.” She smiles. “You know you can talk about anything with me, right? What was bothering you today?”

“Bentley quit because she has feelings for Nathan—feelings she doesn’t want. I got pissed because she’s one of the best first-years I’ve ever seen and she’s an asset to our firm.”

“Are you sure that’s it? I feel like there’s something else bothering you. I know I’m not a lawyer or anything smart like that, but I want to help you any way I can,” she says.

“Babe, you are smarter than Nathan, Alistair, and me combined. Don’t ever think otherwise. You’re going to be a scientist, remember? When have you ever met a scientist who wasn’t smart?” Picking up her hand, I kiss the tip of each of her fingers.

“Thank you for saying that, but I do want to help,” she says.

“You being here with me is helping more than anything else ever could,” I tell her, and wrap an arm around her shoulder, pulling her body into mine before kissing the top of her head. “Thank you,” I whisper.