by Penelope Sky
“Totally different. Ariel has never done anything to you except make a few insults.”
And force me to give up the love of my life. “You said you would do anything for me, Crewe. This is what I want.”
He sighed as his fingertips loosened on my waist. “Goddammit.”
“What’s it going to be?”
“Has he agreed to this?”
I hadn’t even mentioned it to him. “No…but he will.”
“I highly doubt that.”
“Crewe.” I was giving up a lot just to be with him. He could do this.
He sighed again before he pressed his forehead against mine. “Fine. I’ll do one dinner. One time.”
“Not one time. I want to spend time with my brother.”
“You’ll have a car soon. You can leave the castle and see him whenever you want.”
“I still need him to be welcome in your home.”
He dropped his hands and stepped back. “Don’t push it. That man killed some of my men. You think he can just walk onto this property and insult all my employees?”
“He wouldn’t insult them—”
“His presence is insulting. I’ve agreed to dinner, and that’s all I’m willing to do, London. Be grateful, and let’s move on.”
We would have to take this in baby steps. “Okay, that’s fine.”
Crewe stepped away and unbuttoned his collared shirt. He turned his back to me, hiding the irritation on his face. His jaw was probably clenched tightly in annoyance.
The only solution to this problem was sex. And it usually worked every time. I undressed behind him, stripping off my dress and bra until I was just in my white thong. My heels were on my feet, but I left them on because I thought it would only enhance the ensemble.
He turned around with his shirt open and his tie uneven. He looked me up and down, his eyes focusing on my bare tits. Instantly, the anger was gone as his mind appeared to swim with heavy thoughts of sex. His hands moved to his belt on their own, and he loosened his slacks until they fell to his ankles.
“How do you want me?” There was nothing Crewe wanted more than power. When I freely gave it to him, it made him feel aroused in a whole new way. My hands moved up to my tits, and I squeezed them hard.
He watched my movements, his gaze darkening with every passing second. “Edge of the bed. Ass in the air.”
I said the magic words to make everything better. “Yes, sir.”
“Are you free for dinner tonight?” I asked Joseph over the phone. Last time we spoke, he was in London, but he seemed to move around a lot.
“I’m in Edinburgh, actually. Just went golfing with some buddies.”
“Is that a yes, then?”
“Depends. Are you buying?”
I couldn’t suppress the smile that formed on my lips. “Sure. Just don’t order the most expensive thing on the menu.”
“You know I’m an expensive date.”
“Which is strange considering you’re such poor company.”
“Ha,” he said sarcastically. “Now I’m getting two beers instead of one.”
“Fine by me. Is seven okay?”
“Sure. There’s this great steakhouse in Edinburgh. I’ll text you the name.”
“That sounds great.”
“Alright, see you then.”
Before he could hang up, I slipped in an extra detail I didn’t mention before. “Perfect. Crewe and I will see you then.” I hung up before I could hear him make an argument. Crewe was pissed about spending time with Joseph, but Joseph would be even angrier about it.
He called back—like a pain in the ass. “Hey, what’s up?” I answered casually.
“Did you say Crewe was coming?” He spoke with suppressed rage, completely the opposite of how he sounded before.
“Yeah. What’s the big deal?”
“The big deal?” he asked incredulously. “If you wanna fuck him, that’s your choice. But I’m not having a meal with that asshole.”
“Joseph,” I said calmly. “I need you two to get along.”
“Why? You made it clear you aren’t gonna marry the guy. I don’t introduce you to all the women I bed.”
Too much information. “But he’s really important to me. For as long as we’re together, I need you two to get along.”
“Not gonna happen. The fucker kidnapped you.”
“And I fell in love with him, so he obviously treated me well.”
“Which makes me hate him even more. If he’d just left you alone, you’d still be in school and living a normal life. You might be dating a normal guy and having a normal relationship. That asshole took that away from you.”
“I’m here willingly.”
“But he screwed up your path. You expect me to forgive him for that?”
“I never said anything about forgiving each other. I just need you two to tolerate one another. You’re both very important to me.”
“Does Crewe know about this? Or were you gonna tell him when you pulled up to the restaurant.”
“Yes, he knows.”
“Bullshit.”
“I told him a few days ago. He’s fine with it.”
He scoffed into the phone. “You expect me to buy that?”
“Okay…he’s not thrilled about it, but he at least agreed to do it, which is a lot more than I can say for you.”
He sighed.
“Come on, Joseph. One dinner.”
“One dinner will lead to two dinners.”
“I’m not choosing sides, but what you’ve done to him is far worse than what he did to you.”
“You’ve got to be kidding me.”
“Joseph, you tried to steal four million dollars from him. Don’t forget why this mess happened in the first place. And then you killed his men, tried to take his partner as a prisoner, and you shot the guy. You can’t be so self-involved not to see the big picture here.”
“You know what? I think he’s a shithead. I’m not gonna change my mind.”
I rolled my eyes. “Don’t be annoying, Joseph.”
“Too bad.”
“You’re doing this for me, not for him. Don’t forget that. And we both know you’d do anything for me. You’re the only family I’ve got in the world.” I knew that would hit him in the right spot. My brother wasn’t emotional, but that subject got him every single time.
“Ugh…”
“Is that a yes?”
“I said ugh.”
“And in Joseph’s world, what does that mean?”
He was quiet over the phone, taking his time before he answered. “Fine…I’ll go.”
“No men. No guns.”
“Be reasonable, London.”
“I mean it. No guns or men. Just the three of us.”
“How do I know he’ll keep his end of the bargain?”
“Because I’ll be with him. If you think I’d ever let him hurt you, you’re out of your mind.”
“That’s how it better be. And since Crewe is the one buying, you bet your ass I’m gonna order the most expensive thing on the goddamn menu.”
We sat in the back seat as Dunbar drove us to the restaurant. The windows were tinted black so no one could see inside, and that was the reason Crewe and I had screwed in the back seat so many times.
He was dressed in jeans, a gray t-shirt, and a brown leather jacket that made him look yummy. His shoulders looked nice, along with the rest of his body. He shaved before we left, so his jaw was clean, which was something I only saw in the morning before he left for work. He didn’t say much, annoyed about this dinner the way Joseph was.
“Any ground rules?” he finally asked.
“No guns.”
“You already said that. Anything else?”
“Like?” I wore jeans and a black leather jacket, something Crewe’s stylist in London had picked out for me. We never met in person, but she always selected clothes that perfectly fit my shape.
“Topics of conversation.”
“Just don
’t be explicit about screwing me and we should be good.”
“Not something I would talk about with anyone…let alone your brother.”
“Well, you asked.” He looked out the window with his hand resting on my thigh. He didn’t seem nervous about the dinner, just annoyed. He preferred to spend his evenings alone with me in the castle, making love in the enormous bed we slept in every night and eating dinner on the balcony that overlooked the courtyard.
“Just because I didn’t bring a gun doesn’t mean I can’t kill him with my bare fists.”
I did my best not to roll my eyes at his ridiculous display of machismo. “If either of you does anything, I’ll kick both of your asses.”
He chuckled at the thought. “Sure, Lovely.”
“Hey, I have an awesome right hook.”
“You’ll have to show me sometime. I’d love to see it.”
“I need a punching bag too. Are you volunteering?”
The corner of his mouth rose in a smile. “I miss that…”
“Miss what?” I asked, not following his logic.
“That fiery attitude. You used to talk shit to me all the time when we first met. Now you’re just sweet and affectionate.”
“Are you saying you want me to be mean and sarcastic?”
“No,” he said with a chuckle. “Well, maybe when we’re fucking.”
“Duly noted.”
Dunbar pulled up to the curb and opened the back door so we could exit the car. Crewe took my hand and walked me inside, approaching the hostess desk in the dimly lit room. Tables were packed, but the noise level was low, everyone speaking quietly. A low-burning candle sat on each table.
Joseph already had a table against the back wall, and instead of waving us over, he just stared at us as he drank his beer.
“My brother is in the back.”
Crewe looked up and spotted him before he pulled me with him. As we approached one another, my pulse pounded in my ears. The last thing I wanted was for these two men to murder each other over dinner.
“Hey.” I wrapped my arms around my brother and hugged him.
“Hey.” He hugged me back.
Crewe took a seat, not bothering to shake Joseph’s hand.
Joseph probably wouldn’t have shaken his anyway.
I sat beside Crewe, and Joseph was careful to choose the seat directly across from me.
Super awkward.
Joseph took another drink of his beer, finishing the rest and leaving a foam moustache on his mouth.
Crewe scanned the restaurant discreetly, probably making sure Joseph didn’t have backup lurking around.
There was so much distrust and hatred I could feel it pressing into my skin. “Let’s see what the menu looks like…” I picked up the black menu and read through the selections. “The rib eye looks pretty good. What are you having, Crewe?”
“Scotch,” he replied.
I didn’t dare give him any attitude right now. “Joseph?”
“Beer,” he said. “And the lobster.”
I eyed the two men, wondering if this was a terrible idea after all. “Thanks for coming out…both of you.”
“Didn’t give me much of a choice,” Joseph said.
“Me neither,” Crewe said in agreement.
“Come on, guys,” I said. “We’re here. Let’s just make this work.”
“Honestly, what were you expecting?” Joseph asked. “For Crewe and me to apologize to each other then go golfing?”
“That asshole shot me,” Crewe said. “Let’s not forget.”
I held up my hand. “There will be no insults tonight. When we go our separate ways tonight, the two of you can’t be enemies. I want there to be peace. Not friendship, loyalty, or respect. Just peace.” I wasn’t asking for much, just for the two men to be civil to one another.
Neither one of them disagreed with that.
I tried to strike up a conversation that both of them could participate in. “So, Crewe’s second distillery is doing well. He opened it a few months ago, and the orders are pouring in. Do you like scotch, Joseph?”
He pressed his lips tightly together like he didn’t want to respond. “I do, actually. His is pretty damn good.”
I looked to Crewe, silently commanding him to accept the compliment.
Crewe looked annoyed, but he cooperated. “Thank you.”
It was a rough start, but at least it was a start. “Crewe is helping me get my license so I can start driving.”
“Why don’t you just have his men drive you around?” Joseph asked.
“I wish she would,” Crewe whispered.
“Because I want my own independence,” I answered.
Joseph didn’t hide his thoughts on the matter. “Independence is so overrated. You have a team of men who will cater to your every need. Anyone would do anything to have that. Just enjoy it.”
“I wish she felt that way,” Crewe said. “But she wants to pay for her own things too…”
“This guy is loaded.” He pointed to Crewe. “And he kept you as a prisoner for six months. Let him buy you whatever you want.”
“I don’t need him to buy me anything,” I said harshly. “Crewe is my boyfriend, not my sugar daddy.”
“I don’t mind being your sugar daddy,” Crewe said.
“Well, I do,” I argued. I waved the waiter over so we could get off the subject. I ordered a glass of wine and my entrée, and the two men ordered afterward. When he was gone, we were back to our bubble of awkwardness.
Crewe didn’t strike up a conversation, and neither did Joseph.
I shouldn’t have expected them to do anything.
“Where have you traveled recently?” I asked Joseph.
“Russia,” Joseph answered. “I was in Moscow.”
“For what?” Crewe asked.
“Business,” Joseph said vaguely.
I knew Russia was a sore subject for Crewe. Any time it was mentioned, his mood got noticeably darker. “Anywhere else?”
“What kind of business?” Crewe pressed.
Joseph wore an expression that said he didn’t want to answer. “There’s a big deal going on among the Russia mafia with forty million on the line. I’m going to intercept it.”
“How do you know this?” Crewe pressed.
I didn’t get these men together to discuss work, but that’s exactly what happened.
“Bones,” Joseph replied. “Said he met with a Russian representative, but he didn’t give me any details.”
“Hmm…” Crewe’s jaw was tense like he was thinking. “Who’s exchanging the money?”
“I can’t say,” Joseph said.
That wasn’t the kind of answer Crewe accepted. “I’m not after cash. If it’s someone I’m interested in, I can help you.”
“You think I need help?” Joseph asked incredulously.
“Seeing how you pissed me off, yeah,” Crewe snapped.
“Hey, guys.” I raised both hands. “Let’s just take it down a notch.”
Crewe ignored me. “Write it down.” He pulled a pen from his pocket and pushed the napkin toward him. “Now.”
Joseph snatched the pen out of his hand then scribbled the names in tiny print. He folded it and pushed it back to Crewe.
Crewe glanced at it, narrowed his eyes, and then tore it up into pieces. “I want in.”
“I don’t need help,” Joseph said. “And I’m not giving you a cut.”
“I don’t want a cut,” Crewe said coldly. “I just want in.”
“Why?” Joseph asked.
“Because one of these fuckers crossed me,” Crewe whispered under his breath. “And I want to take something that means the world to him. The only thing he seems to give a damn about is money and pride. I’d like to destroy both of those things.”
Joseph watched him with suspicion, his eyes narrowed.
I wanted Joseph and Crewe to get along, but not in this way. But if this brought them closer together, I couldn’t object. Crewe was still haun
ted by what happened to his family. If this gave him closure, I couldn’t ask him not to do it. “Joseph, you can trust Crewe.”
“None of this makes sense,” Joseph asked. “Even if it is about revenge.”
“You don’t need to know details, Joseph,” I said quickly. “Crewe wants in, and I think he can help you.”
Crewe looked at me, and deep in his eyes was a look of gratitude that Joseph would never notice. His expression was difficult to read, probably on purpose, but I’d cracked the code a long time ago.
Joseph watched us both with hesitance. “I work with a particular team…”
“Which I don’t have a lot of faith in, considering the fact that you tried to fool me with counterfeit. Come on, Joseph.” When Crewe took the lead, he had more authority than all the world leaders put together. “I want this mission to be successful.”
Joseph looked at me as if he expected me to say something.
“I think it’s a good idea,” I said. “You have mutual interests. It’s perfect.”
Joseph shrugged in response. “Okay, fine. But if you cross me, I’ll kill you.”
Crewe smiled. “Ditto.”
“There will be no killing of any kind,” I said. “If you both love me, you’ll never lay a hand on each other.”
“I don’t love you that much,” Joseph said.
Crewe chuckled. “Like I’d ever believe that. You fucking shot me.”
“Well, you had it coming,” Joseph said. “If you thought I wasn’t going to do anything to save my sister, you’re an idiot.”
“If I had a sister, I would have done the same,” Crewe said.
Maybe this would work out, after all. It wasn’t perfect by any means, but it wasn’t horrendous either. Guns weren’t drawn, and bullets weren’t flying through the air. “So you forgive Joseph for shooting you?”
“I never apologized,” Joseph said quickly.
“Nor was I looking for an apology,” Crewe said. “The best we can do is leave the past where it belongs and move forward. That’s the best I can offer.”
“Agreed,” Joseph said. “Now where the hell is our food?”
It wasn’t perfect, but I would take it.
15
Crewe
When we walked into the bedroom, I was relieved the dinner with Joseph was over. It went better than I expected it to, and he was directly involved in conning one of the men I despised.
