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“Sut.” A woman’s cool, light voice came from Sutter’s far side. Saoirse twisted her head to see the twins from the bar approaching. “You haven’t introduced us to your lady friend. She looks bored. Let her come dance with us.”
Saoirse was certain shehadn’tlooked bored because she’d been engaged taking everything in. But she smiled at the twins and when one unwound Sutter’s arm from around her and led her toward the empty dance floor, she went without protest.
“I’m Lark,” the dark-blonde twin told her, as she looped an arm around Saoirse’s neck and began to dance. Lark was a strong lead and Saoirse only had to follow as Lark moved. “Sutter’s half-sister. Nice to meet you.”
Because Sutter had mentioned his sisters, had said how much he loved them even when they drove him crazy, in the way Saoirse supposed siblings did irritate each other while still having the deepest bonds, Saoirse didn’t try to pull away and responded politely, “Saoirse. Very pleased to meet Sutter’s sister.”
Lark snorted genteelly. “I notice you saidsister, not family. The oldies are a grim bunch, aren’t they?”
“That’s a touch disrespectful of your elders,” Saoirse said, even though she kept her smile tolerant.
“You’re practically one of them, aren’t you?” Lark asked, smiling that same cruel smile. “How old are you?”
Despite the way that smile was making her stomach flip, Saoirse responded the way she would to a Blunts Domme. Polite and cool. Answering only what was asked and giving nothing away. “Thirty-two. Thirty-three in November.”
“Good Lord,” Lark said. “You’re ten years older than Sutter?”
Saoirse nodded.
“Well, I guess there’s something to be said forexperience.”
Saoirse kept her smile fixed, despite the dig. “There certainly is. Do you have a role in the company, too? Any of this your work?” She waved a hand at the décor.
“God, no,” Lark said. “Last century club gothic? Hard pass. I do my partying in Mayfair.”
That seemed disloyal, but Saoirse didn’t comment. Instead, she asked, “What would make it more appealing to you?”
Lark cast a critical glance around. “Ditch the black and red. Silver’s a wintry color but brighter. Maybe blue lighting, cold but bright. The red makes this place look like Dracula’s least favorite crypt. The dry ice is passé. They need a live DJ instead of a canned playlist.”
Saoirse nodded along to Lark’s points. “You should tell your aunt all of that.”
Lark snorted. It was a ladylike snort, but definitely a snort. “My aunt the dispossessed? Nothing she can do about it. Dad doesn’t want to hear anything from me. He just wants to be congratulated by all his country-club buddies for creating another club that caters to their age cohort. Then he’ll spend the next five years reaming poor Auntie Suz about why she can’t attract the younger demographic.”
Saoirse kept herself from grinning at Lark’s blunt assessment, but it was a close thing.
“Maybe your brother would be more receptive?” Saoirse suggested.
Lark gave her a long look. “Why aren’t you a bitch? All of Sut’s other girlfriends have been sorority bitches.”
“I’ll try harder,” Saoirse responded, the grin breaking through.
“I’m prepared to hate you and sabotage your relationship, you know,” Lark said.
Saoirse sighed. “Okay.”
“You don’t seem threatened,” Lark observed.
There’s barely anything to threaten, Saoirse thought, glancing over at Sutter, who was still engaged in an animated conversation with Juxton by the bar.But I want there to be. I didn’t call himDaddylightly. I want him to be my Daddy. I want to be with him. Enough to be nice to his family even when they’re somewhat horrible.
“I haven’t gotten a handle on your relationship with your brother,” Saoirse admitted. “But he seems to make his own decisions. There’s nothing I can do about you hating me. And if you manage to turn Sutter against me and sabotage our relationship, then I guess it wasn’t strong enough to begin with. I don’t want to be with someone who won’t fight for me.”
Lark leaned in and pressed a kiss on Saoirse’s cheek, then wiped off the lipstick mark. “You pass. Mom’s still going to take a run at you, but you’ve got my vote, at least on a temporary basis. Women should value themselves more. We all deserve someone who will fight for us. And beside us.”
Saoirse nodded in agreement.
Lark led Saoirse back to the bar as the dance track ended. Her twin was there, leaning against the bar and watching them with a curious, green gaze. But Sutter shifted to intercept them and drew Saoirse back under his arm before his other sister, Lyric, could intervene.
“A couple of the V.I.P.s want to see the dungeons. My family’s not part of the lifestyle, so they’re staying in the bar, but Suzanna’s going down. Would you like to tour the dungeons with me?”
