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“Hey, what are you still doing here?” I waltzed up to Lonnie, strumming my long red nails on the taller level of the desk.
She brushed a strand of her smooth, ebony hair behind her ear, revealing a diamond Chanel earring. The bangs framing her face seemed to make her already striking blue eyes look even more intense than usual. “Mr. Knight asked me to stay late. He said he might need me for a favor later.”
Lonnie only worked Monday to Friday, nine to six. She’d only ever worked in the main lobby, answering phones, and performing routine reception duties for the executive staff. When most people called, she was the one they spoke to before any of us. That didn’t stop men from wanting her. She rarely showed up at the club in the evening, but when she did, VIPs wanted her to dance for them. I always declined on her behalf. She wasn’t a dancer.
I knew by the call with Ian, whichever Italians were at Euphoria at the moment were more important than the Mussolini family ever were and that worried me further. Furrowing my brow, I hurried for the door leading to the executive lobby.
“Jade!”
I spun around.
She nodded toward the long hallway. “They’re in the conference room down there.”
“Thanks.” I took quick strides toward the conference room across from the Blue Lounge. My heels clicked against the floor as I power-walked, my eyes glued to my phone. When I finally looked up, I was taken aback by the sight of two bodyguards standing on either side of the double doors. “Joseph and Indigo,” I said their names softly, almost like a gasp, as I took in their intimidating presence in their matching black suits.
Joseph was Valentino Greco’s personal bodyguard. Indigo was one of Giovanni Rovati’s. Valentino and Giovanni only visited for one reason and one reason only. Something big was going on. While they were great friends with Ian and Luke, the two billionaire Mafia Dons didn’t travel to Boston for any reason other than business.
“Good evening, Ms. Sinclaire,” Joseph, stunningly handsome, welcomed me with a grin, his eyes scanning my figure.
“Hello,” I replied warmly before turning my attention to Indigo. “And hi to you as well.”
He nodded once, then pulled back one of his shoulder length dreadlocks, pointing at his earpiece. He was listening to whatever was being said inside the room. He was equally handsome as Joseph, but he never seemed to have a sense of humor. At least, not around me. Joseph reached for the doorknob and pulled it open.
I made a crucifix over my chest. Don’t be about the Mussolini family, please. While entering the room, I had a bad feeling. It was a blur. I was used to meetings like this, but we’d just been through so much and I wasn’t ready for more yet. Getting up the courage to look around, my breath hitched.
Ian sat at the head of the long mahogany table, his posture straight and commanding. Tyler was positioned to his right, his sharp features set in a serious expression. Nico lounged casually to his left, leaving a vacant seat between him and Ian.
Valentino, by his best friend Liam, took his place among the other powerful men gathered around the table. Enrico Vitelli, newly in charge of his father’s Chicago family, sat at Liam’s side with a look of vanity on his face. I was surprised to see him among the group tonight.
Giovanni was between his brothers, Emilio and Luca, all three equally terrifying, but I loved them. Vito Aggio was at the end closest to the door, his aura of authority filling the room as always.
Ice Man’s unflinching gaze met mine, masking any trace of emotion. He stood a few feet behind Ian, while six armed guards kept watch around the room. No weapons were allowed in any meeting unless one of the billionaires visited. Despite their friendship, no chances were taken. I was standing among men whose combined net worth totaled about three hundred billion dollars, but it wasn’t their wealth or criminal status that made me nervous. It was their reason for being here.
“Jade,” Ian ripped me from my reverie.
I snapped my eyes to his. “Yes, sir?”
He glared and turned his head in frustration toward the chair on his left, his eyes growing wide with anger.
Several low chuckles rumbled throughout the room as I hurried to the seat. Nico reached out, rolling the chair back for me.
“Thanks,” I whispered, sitting down.
He bowed his head, winking ever so slightly.
I took my iPad out of my bag, ready to take notes.
“I know most of you know why you’re here,” Ian began, “but for those who don’t, I want to let you in on some news.”
Luca Rovati snorted. “Another warehouse issue?”
Luca, aka Lucky, the youngest of the three brothers, was often referred to as the civil one until provoked. He was severely unpredictable and loved to torture his victims, then prayed for their soul as they took their last breath. He didn’t trust many people outside their family, but was at least nice to people, unlike his brother, Emilio. Luca and I got along well, and I was sure part of it was due to our devout Catholic beliefs.
Ian rolled his eyes. “No, Luca.” Giovanni scowled at his younger brother as Ian continued, “We’re expanding the club to dabble in the darker things.”
Valentino’s hands were folded across his stomach but the mention of that further piqued his interest. He shifted in the chair, his piercing blue eyes narrowed on Ian. “Are we talking about sex or are you planning to host your own masquerade?” His deep Italian accent rippled through the room, sending a shiver down my spine. “Which I guess go hand in hand.”
