Page 118 of Tailwind

‘It really is all or nothing with you, isn’t it? Try and be subtle, Paldon.’ A smile played on his lips. ‘That guy is the chief editor of the Season Single.’

I scoffed. ‘Does anyone actually read that crap? It’s all sensational dragonshit.’

Theo watched me, his eyes drifting down to my neck before flicking back up. ‘And how do you know that?’

‘Because it’s all over the place. You can’t go into any market without seeing the cover sheets with big stills of the latest drama—Oh!’

He nodded. ‘Mhm. That other guy next to him who’s filling his drink? That’s his accountant. You want a story in or out, he’s the one you talk to.’

‘How much?’

‘Oh, you’re asking the wrong person. I’ve never needed to pay for my press.’ He shot me one of his signature smiles, dimples on display. ‘Why? Do you want to plant a story about me, Paldon? What compromising position do you plan on putting me in?’

I narrowed my eyes at him. He’d been increasing his charm every time he had a drink, directing it right at me. Maybe because he was bored, maybe to get a rise out of me … either way I wasn’t going to react just for his entertainment.

‘I won’t be wasting money on faking a story, not when I can make it the truth for free. There’s plenty of ways I could get us into trouble tonight, Vaspre.’ I kept my voice low, forcing him to lean in to hear.

Theo’s personal life had been public, I knew what to expect from him, but he had no clue how I played the game.

I saw it in the way he swallowed, with one hand in his pocket while the other toyed with his empty glass on the bar top. Me flirting back was unexpected and it was making him scramble.

The bartender slid our drinks over: eight shot glasses filled with more Spieners. Not watered down, not mixed. Theo didn’t acknowledge him, keeping his attention solely on me.

‘Colly!’ I summoned the rookie.

He’d been wreaking havoc with his elbows on the dance floor, already slightly sweaty. Quinn was remaining as loyal as ever, staying nearby – though not too close – while Theo lectured me on networking.

‘It’s time.’ I slipped a matchbook out of a convenient pocket hidden in the folds of my dress skirt.

‘Where were you keeping that?’ Quinn looked me up and down, his brows knitted together.

Theo gripped his shoulder. ‘It’s impolite to ask a woman where she keeps her matches, Quinn.’

I lit a match, barely having to go near the lip of the glasses for them to catch.

Colly immediately lifted one to his face.

‘No!’ I stopped him. ‘You’ll burn the beginnings of your moustache off.’

Theo snorted a laugh.

I led by example, palming out the flame and throwing back the warmed liquid. I shuddered as it went down, enjoying the sweet aftertaste. Then again.

‘You’re playing with fire tonight, hm?’ Theo nudged into me, putting out his drink and downing it in one. ‘This will be fun.’

The Prevere boys followed suit.

‘And two for my friends.’ I hailed the bartender for the last time and thumbed towards the Season Single duo, making sure they saw me wave over my bare shoulder as the drinks arrived.

‘Time to continue our tour of the Crescent’s nightlife.’ Theo pushed himself off the bar. He hooked a finger into one of my dress pockets, tugging me along.

Theo really did know how to draw attention as we moved from club to club. He was charming, giving polite nods to the press before dipping his head down, pretending to shrink away from the lights. When they gave attention to Quinn, Theo stepped in front of me as if to hide me away. It worked like a charm, bringing their attention back.

Our fourth stop was Fierno’s, a sleek bar with plush red booths, low lighting and an exclusive guest list. The music was fast, low and more rhythmic than the last. The whole place was packed.

Quinn and Colly headed for the bar. As I went to follow I felt strong hands grip my waist. I knew it was Theo from the way his citrus scent lingered in the air around me.

‘You’re coming with me,’ he whispered in my ear. I could hear the smile in his voice, teasing. He pointed me in the opposite direction, towards the booths.