“I’ve been thinking,” Luke continued, his voice smooth and playful, “maybe we should loosen up the rules for a few of the newer clubs. An ‘anything goes’ kind of vibe, yeah? A vibe that appeals to the clientele who want it all, no restrictions.”
Jamie’s lips curled. “You bought into the exclusivity of Verto Veneri because that’s what works. Members join because of the rules. If you open that up, it’s not just theguests you’ll lose control over—it would be a free-for-all, and we’d invite a shitstorm.”
Luke patted him on the arm, his touch light but firm, as if conceding the point.
“I know. I know. Just throwing it out there. We can brainstorm ideas while I’m in Belfast.”
He shifted a little closer to Lana now, assessing her.
“Is this your date for the hour?” he asked.
Jamie rolled his eyes for Lana’s benefit.
“Haven’t you met my brother’s better half?” he asked, nodding toward her. “This is Lana.”
Luke’s eyebrows hitched.
“His better half indeed?” he scoffed, as though the very idea burned his tongue. “Didn’t think he did girlfriends?—”
“I’m his fiancée, actually.” Lana stepped forward to shake Luke’s hand.
She met his gaze head-on, not withering in his presence, though Jamie noticed the subtle tension in her shoulders because Luke held an intimidating air about him.
They shook hands, firm but brief.
“Well, well,” he said, his voice dripping with a mix of respect and mockery, “Marcus committed, huh? Guess some men need to be anchored. It’s an honour to meet the woman who can tame that son of a bitch. I’m intrigued.”
He gave her a once-over before he nodded in approval.
Lana half-laughed, unbothered by his assessment.
“I wouldn’t say tame. Though we do suit each other,” Lana replied, her eyes narrowing with a touch of amusement. “I don’t waste time with games or bullshit. And neither does he. Enjoy the party, Luke.”
She flashed a confident smile at him before turning on her heel, her movements graceful but purposeful, leaving him with nothing but a low whistle.
“Gutsy. I like that one.” He shifted his attention to Jamie. “What about you, Jamie? Following in your brother’s footsteps?”
Before Jamie could answer, a waitress appeared beside them, balancing a pair of crystal tumblers on a tray. He winked at the young woman as he took the drinks, noting the flush on her cheeks and the spark in her eyes.
Yet he didn’t linger on her, returning his focus to Luke.
“Here.” Jamie offered Luke a glass. “I’m in no rush.”
Luke swirled the amber liquid in his glass.
“Good. Because the reason we’re in business together is that the McGrath brothers are crazy, unpredictable assholes, much like me. Ties make you weak—exposed, like soft flesh waiting to be stabbed. At least you haven’t settled yet.”
“Not a chance.” His voice dropped, and he clinked his glass with Jamie’s. “To us.”
As the glasses clinked, two tall women appeared, their long legs and wavy golden hair drawing eyes as they linked arms with Luke.
Their presence was effortlessly seductive, a promise of temptation in every step.
Jamie’s eyes followed them, soaking in their flirtatious smiles and the way they licked their lips while holding eye contact.
As much as he appreciated a beautiful woman, a subtle tension tightened in his gut.
Since when did height matter to him when it came to women? Both women were a little shorter than him and Luke, but Shannon…she was smaller.
