Irvin's POV
Let The Game Begin
The Jenkin Grand Hotel's balcony offered me a perfect view of the city below—a sprawling maze of wealth, secrets, and power games. I held a wine glass, letting the cool night breeze hit my face.
Caroline pressed against my side, her arms wrapping around my waist like she owned me.
"How much longer are you planning to drag this out?" I asked.
She laughed softly, her breath warm against my ear. "Things are just getting good, Irvin. Don't kill the vibe."
I made a noncommittal sound, keeping my eyes on the skyline. My mind wandered to that server girl.
"I still can't believe she said yes so fast," Caroline interrupted my thoughts.
"I told you—she's a Hughes," I said dismissively.
Caroline cocked her head, her blonde hair spilling over one shoulder as she looked at me. "Come on, babe, throwing money at her feels like cheating. Where's the sport in that?"
I glanced at her sideways, my expression sharp. "No rule book says I can't, Caroline. What did you think I'd do? Charm her with sweet words? Just talking to her is torture enough. I gave her what every Hughes craves—the only thing that gets through to them." My mouth twisted into a cold smile. "She bit the hook like I knew she would."
Caroline shuddered, though the night wasn't that cold. Her grin spread wider, eyes sparkling with malice. "Christ, babe, the way you hate them is incredible. I mean, sure, you've got reasons, but... it's not like she personally screwed you over. Her brother was the only one mixed up with Barnaby."
My jaw clenched, every muscle tightening. When I spoke, my voice cut through the air like ice. "And what exactly is her brother, Caroline?"
"A Hughes," she whispered, that wicked smile growing. "But honestly, babe, watching you get all twisted up whenever you mention her? It makes this whole thing so much better. Your anger and discomfort? Absolutely priceless."
I didn't answer. I finished the wine in one gulp and turned back to the city, my thoughts darker than the night around us.
——
Davina's POV
I stood behind Velvet Crown's bar, mechanically cleaning glasses while my stomach churned. Two days had passed since I'd last seen Irvin Jenkin, and I couldn't decide if I felt more relieved or disappointed.
His text message kept replaying in my head, haunting me.
Three dates. Five thousand per date.
Nothing about this made sense.
What kind of guy threw that much money at a date?
Who even paid for dates anyway?
I stopped wiping the glass, catching my reflection in its surface. I didn't need this kind of drama in my life.
The lounge door burst open. I looked up and my blood turned to ice.
Irvin Jenkin. His two buddies, Ryker and Jamar, were with him, laughing about something I couldn't catch. But Irvin's eyes found me the second he walked in.
My heart slammed against my ribs, and I grabbed the bar to keep from swaying. I was frozen. Couldn't look away. He moved toward me with that dark, magnetic presence that made everyone in the room turn and stare.
My mouth went bone dry as he approached.
"Tomorrow after work," Irvin said, his voice quiet but commanding. "I'll pick you up."
That was it. No small talk, no explanation. Just a declaration delivered like it was already decided.
Before I could scrape together a response, he turned and headed to the back corner where his friends had claimed a booth.
I let out a shaky breath, my knuckles white against the bar. My legs felt like water, and I knew my face was burning red.
"What the hell was that?" Celeste whispered beside me, jabbing me with her elbow.
"It was nothing," I stammered, my voice unsteady.
Celeste's eyebrow shot up. "Nothing? That was Irvin Jenkin. He doesn't just walk up to random people, Davina."
"Just leave it alone," I mumbled, pretending to focus on the glass. But my heart was hammering so hard I thought it might burst.
I stole a glance at their booth. Irvin wasn't looking my way anymore, laughing at something his friend said, but I could feel him tracking my every movement.
Oh God, what have I gotten myself into...