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“That’s because you think exactly the same way as he did,” I point out.
“Not true. I’m nothing like that bastard.” He nods to someone at the door. “Look who finally made it through the club’s doors.”
I swivel around in my chair, seeking out who he’s referring to, and find three Bane brothers casually assessing the place.
“Well, if it isn’t the bane of our existence,” I mutter.
“It’s probably been a while since they’ve heard that one.” Baron watches them as they watch us from a distance. “Niall is fine, why can’t they all be like him?”
“Good question. I’m going to have to file a complaint with the owner if he keeps letting the riffraff become members.” Baron and I attended college with Eoin and Malachy Bane. Both are insufferable assholes. But the real driving force behind their family is the eldest, Alistair Bane.
Eoin and Malachy saunter over to us, their eyes gleaming with mischief. I glance at Baron. “Do you think the no fighting policy extends to us?”
“Do not get us thrown out,” he replies through gritted teeth. “We’re civilized, let’s act like it.”
I snort. “Speak for yourself.”
“Gentleman,” Baron says in greeting to the two Bane brothers.
“Hey, look here, it’s the Black Baron and the King of the Sea.” Malachy scoffs. “Where do you two think you’re from, some sort of Disney movie?”
“At least we have memorable reputations.” I sip my Scotch. “Unlike… Wait, what are your names again? Aren’t you new around here?”
“Yes, we are.” Eoin shoots us a rabid grin. “We didn’t have our spot waiting for us because of Daddy. We actually had to earn our way into Leonidas.”
Baron’s tone is dry when he says, “What an accomplishment, if only you knew what to do with yourselves now that you’re where you don’t belong.”
“Say that again, Baron.” Malachy narrows his eyes. “We can take this outside and I’ll make you eat your words.”
Eoin looks just as eager to beat our asses. Of course, they’d be the ones bloody and broken at the end—if not dead. Unfortunately, the club also has a rule against murdering other members, which is a pity.
Alistair comes up behind his brothers and places a hand on each of their shoulders. “I think we’ve seen enough of the poker den, let’s check out the rest of this place.”
The Banes throw us dirty glances as they exit the room, and the atmosphere returns to normal, everyone focused on the game in front of them. Or in our case, on our drinks.
“Well, that was a delight.” Baron puffs on his cigar. “Why did you want to meet up today?”
“I needed to get out of the house and clear my mind for a while.” I avoid looking him in the eyes, for fear he’ll read more into my explanation.
Baron leans forward. “This wouldn’t have anything to do with you carrying a certain young woman over your shoulder and out of her engagement party, would it?”
My gaze snaps to him. Dammit.
“No. Not a damn thing,” I lie.
Tonight is going to be important. I needed to get out of the house for a while so I can clearly think about how I’m going to bait the girl and lure her in. So far, I’ve come up with a couple of different approaches.
The problem is my desire to claim her for myself. The visceral urge to make her my own is messing with my cool head for business. And tonight is supposed to be all about business.
“I see.” The rare grin that appears on Baron’s face is too knowing for my comfort.
Why did I think it was a good idea to meet up with him under these circumstances?
Right, I remember.
Because he’s the only man I consider a friend.
CHAPTER10
