The server delivered their entrées. Brit sliced into the wellington, forked a piece into her mouth. “Amazing.”
“I have another daughter,” Liliana said. “Her name is Honor. Would you be willing to meet her?”
Honor. Where have I heard that name before?
“We’ll meet her, won’t we, Brit?” Addison asked.
She glared at her sister. “Sure. Why not?”
Liliana smiled. “Nothing would make me happier.”
Brit would meet her, for Addison, then move on.
They finished their meal.
More than anything, Brit was proud that she hadn’t allowed her anxiety to control her ability—or inability—to eat.
Feeling empowered, Brit said her goodbyes, and headed toward the lounge. With the obligatory meeting over, she could focus on more enticing thoughts.
Joaquin Dillinger. The undercover agent, the ALPHA Op, the kink club owner, and the hotelier.
As she entered the lounge, she scanned the low-lit room for her target.
Rebel sat at a booth with a Black woman. His gaze flicked to hers.
A myriad of emotions washed over her like a cascading waterfall. Bathed in everything Joaquin, she smiled.
When he smiled back, her heart felt full. Like she’d glimpsed into her future.
And she liked what she saw.
She liked it a lot.
Joaquin
Rebel had been watchingfor Brit. The second she sashayed into the room, a calmness settled over him.
“Excuse me, Lana,” he said to his GM.
Pushing out of the booth, he waited as she made her way over. Looking sleek and sophisticated in a dark pant suit, she’d left her hair down, her dark mane framing her face. Her beauty captivated him, but it was her confidence and determination that intrigued him the most.
It had been a while since he’d been in a relationship. His heart told him one thing, but his gut would keep him in check. Of that he was certain.
She stood close enough to kiss. Every cell in his body wanted to pull her close and give her a proper hello, but he did not.
Instead he asked, “How was dinner?”
“Your chef is a god. It was uh-mazing.”
“That’s so nice to hear,” Lana said with a smile. “My husband is the chef.”
“Hi, I’m Britain.”
“Lana. A pleasure.” She rose. “I should get back to my office. We good, Joaquin?”
“Thanks for catching me up,” he replied
Lana left, and Rebel gestured for Brit to sit.
