Jamie respected her for it even though it meant Marcus was whipped. There was no denying it.
He’d get a few drinks in him, and by midnight, he would always make his excuses to leave early. Runningback home to Lana before he turned into some tragic version of himself.
Jamie teased him about it, but deep down, he was glad his brother had found a woman who made him happy.
The man had buried enough demons to fill a cemetery, and now he’d done the unthinkable and committed.
“You look stunning, as always.” Jamie planted a loud, brotherly smooch on her cheek.
Lana smiled up at him, raising an eyebrow. “Did you bring a date?”
Her sparkling blue eyes scanned his face as if she could read him like a book.
Jamie had to admit, Lana was hot and the perfect match for Marcus. Still, those bright blue eyes staring back at him couldn’t quite compare to the hypnotic ice blue ones of Shannon Colter.
“I’m guessing Marcus has already blabbed.” He shrugged, his expression casual. “And no, she’s not coming.”
Lana ran her palms down his fitted olive-green shirt, the knowing glint in her eyes turning into a smirk. “Sounds like you’ve met your match, Jamie.”
He chuckled, feigning indifference. “Nah, I’ll be able to fill the void.”
His gaze drifted over her shoulder, mentally undressing a passing brunette who’d winked at him. However, his dick didn’t rise to the occasion.
The penthouse suite had morphed into the perfectplayground for significant power players, much like the exclusive air of Verto Veneri.
Lana handpicked the guests, had champagne flowing, and turned the event into a private world where abundance met allure, just like the club.
Except this wasn’t about intimacy behind closed doors. Rather, it celebrated the McGrath’s success.
An international DJ had set up in the master bedroom, his decks glowing under coloured lighting, while wireless speakers dotted the grand suite, pumping music into every corner.
The half-dressed catering staff glided by with shiny platters of caviar blinis courtesy of Freddy, Marcus’s ex-chef, who now had the PR backing of Lana herself to launch his new restaurant in New York.
“There’s Luke.” Lana nodded behind him.
Luke Devereux, the American multi-billionaire entrepreneur, strode into the suite with a harem of stunning women traipsing behind him
His female followers flanked him like shadows, their loyalty unspoken, yet given without hesitation.
They craved his attention, devouring it like honey on their tongues, and the financial rewards he dispensed were merely the afterthought of a man with money to burn.
Around the room, suited men wearing earpieces positioned themselves. They stood with their backs against the walls, scanning the crowd, their presence almost invisible but ever watchful.
Luke turned his focus to Jamie, holding out a hand in an exaggerated gesture, and shooting a glance at Lana.
“Shame this isn’t happening at the new Verto Veneri location,” he said. “We could’ve taken this evening to a new level. That place is unreal, and we haven’t even renovated it yet.”
Jamie slid a little closer to Lana, his posture protective with the familiar tension that came with dealing with Devereux.
“Guess we’ll have to save the good stuff for another night.” Jamie winked. “You planning on picking one of those women to marry?”
Luke let out a laugh that rumbled through the air, loud and unapologetic.
“Yeah, you’re a real joker, Jamie,” he scoffed, as if the very thought were beneath him.
He gestured with a flick of his chin toward the beautiful women surrounding them. “They’re happy with what they get. Why complicate it?”
“Ah, a man after my own heart. Who could choose just one?” He smirked. “Too many options, not enough time.”
