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I eye him suspiciously, giving him the reaction he's aiming for. And I’d hate to leave him disappointed. “Is this your way of trying to bed me again, Decker? Because I've told you, I'm not--”
“Oh no.” He shakes his head, lips twitching. “I’m talking about the rich man’s playground we’re going to build together, Quinn. Marquis is going to be the most exclusive, expensive, decadent, no-holds-barred space in the country and you're going to help me do it. You and me, we're going to be the new power couple of Vegas, Quinn.”
“Decker…” I groan.
His smirk is so self-assured it catches me off guard. “Stick with me, Quinn. It's going to be one hell of a ride. That is a promise.”
Chapter 9
Aiden
I'm kicking back in the control room to cover one of the guys on his break when I spot a commotion on the screens in front of me.
Glancing up, I do a double take and bite back a groan as I watch Marlee walk in on Decker’s arm. She’s dressed like every man's dirty fantasy and their arrival has all the hallmarks of a staged event. I’m not the only one who’s noticed, the entire lobby stopping still to watch the King as his assumed new queen enter the club.
A low whistle escapes me as I take her in. I’m equally impressed and proud, and even from a floor and a camera feed away, turned the fuck on. This is the girl who had buck teeth and the most adorable goofy grin when I first met her. The woman who still never fails to take my breath away without even trying. The same one who can barely stand the sight of me. Regardless, she still is—and will forever be—the most beautiful woman inside and out I've ever had the pleasure of knowing, having, and once calling mine.
Her highlighted blonde hair cascades down her back in soft waves, her little black dress a beacon screaming 'look at me' as it hugs her curves in all the right places and even some wrong ones. Decker stands tall by her side, his body language proud, cocky, knowing. Like a man who has everything he could ever want in the palm of his hand.
They make their way into the club and I don't need sound to know exactly what’s happening. Heads turn, conversations all but forgotten, and there's a buzz in the air that I can almost feel through the camera feed. Whether it was Decker's idea or Marlee's, whoever came up with the plan to make a grand entrance, it's working. The only focus in the whole club is the power couple that have entered the building.
It’s probably why I’m gritting my teeth so tight my jaw aches and digging my nails into the palm of my hand. Yet I can’t tear myself away, watching as they ascend the stairs to the VIP lounge, like they’re ascending the throne of a new kingdom. I roll my thumb over the trackball on desk panel, switching camera views so that I don't miss a single second of this charade.
Even knowing it’s not real, I still hate it. Just the thought of him being anywhere near her makes me see red. But I can't do anything about it, I have to sit on my hands and watch it all happen, all the while trusting that Marlee knows what she’s doing and who she’s dealing with.
That doesn’t mean I can turn off the protective instinct I have toward her, even if I lost that right. It's not something a man like me can just switch off.
Chris walks back into the control room and I turn in time to see him jerk his chin up as he returns to his desk. “Anything I need to look out for?”
Shaking my head, I turn back to the VIP cameras and the corner booth where Marlee and Decker are now sitting close, the former throwing her head back with laughter as the latter smirks like a snake in a hen house.
“Boss man's here? Usually we get a head’s up,” Chris says, leaning back in his chair.
I grunt noncommittally, still watching the camera feeds. Chris is a good colleague and a hard worker, but I can’t talk about Decker and Marlee/Quinn. Not with him or anyone else here. That's not to say I can't use the working relationship to my advantage.
Watching Marlee and Decker, I can't help but wonder what kind of game they're playing with each other. The woman I knew wouldn't even play the seductress or let it get too physical just to get dirt. I know that she's determined and passionate enough to do whatever it takes to get the job done but that doesn’t mean I have to like it. And with Decker, well, I don't trust him as far as I can throw him. Especially since it’s been days and I still haven’t heard back from my contacts about his early years.
I'm about to switch feeds again when something catches my eye. Decker's hand is on Marlee's thigh, and she doesn't seem to be objecting. Instead, she leans into it, bringing her mouth to Decker's ear and saying something that makes the man smile.
My blood boils as he turns his head and captures her lips in a deep, open-mouthed, claiming kiss that has me forgetting everything I’m supposed to be doing—keeping my nose clean, flying under the radar, all of it. My sole purpose taking a massive U-turn as I pick up the phone and dial the front desk.
“Hey, Ben. Can you come up and cover me in the control room? I want to roam the floor for a while.”
“Sure thing boss. I'll be up in a few minutes,” he replies in my ear.
“Good. Good. Chris will be here in the meantime.”
“Copy that, A.”
I hang up and find Chris frowning at me as he switches his attention between the panel of screens in front of him and back to me. “Did I miss something?” he asks.
Jumping to my feet, I shake my head and try to come up with a believable story on the fly. “Nah. I'm just going to walk around and stretch my legs, see if I find anything or anyone. Maybe check that our guests aren't partaking in a little more than we offer.”
I waggle my brows and his eyes crinkle with understanding. “Oh yeah. Stone countertops are just as good as a mirror so I’m told,” he says with a wink before he blocks a nostril and sniffs loudly.
Grinning, I give him one last wave and move to the door. “I’ll be back in a half an hour or so. You OK till Ben gets here?”
“Sure thing, A.”
