Page 159 of Wicked Dares
The Blackthorne Country Club glows beneath a canopy of golden lights.
My family and I are here for another charity fundraiser.
Seriously, I’m getting tired of these things. I only came out tonight because Piper likes dressing up.
She’s here somewhere with the other wives. She’s been hanging out with them a lot since we got back from our honeymoon last week.
I’m talking business with my brothers.
“Married life softened you,” Knox says beside me, swirling whiskey in his glass.
I scoff. “How?”
“You let that client off easy.”
He’s still going on about that.
Dorian nudges me in the side. “Can we take a moment to acknowledge those rosy cheeks?” The asshole points at my cheeks.
“Leave him alone,” Knox mutters. “Men get that afterglow, too. It’s good. Married life is treating you well, Levi.”
“You guys can fuck off.” I seethe, but really, I like it.
We’ve had a good year. I even survived the six-month secondment in England while planning a wedding.
Now it’s time for the next step. Dad leaves in just a handful of months now. After that, we’re in charge.
It’s exciting.
“You’re the last one left now,” Knox says to Locke, who’s unusually quiet. “Will we hear wedding bells for you anytime soon?”
Locke smiles slowly.
And immediately, every instinct in my body tells me something’s wrong.
“Actually…” He takes a sip of whiskey. “Speaking of wedding bells.” He points across the ballroom. “You see that girl over there?”
All of us look automatically.
Five women stand together near the grand staircase laughing over champagne.
“Which one?” I ask.
“The one with the brown hair and bright blue eyes.”
I narrow my gaze slightly. Then recognition hits me instantly.
“You mean that thief, Anthony Mercer’s, fiancée?”
Months ago, Anthony stole Locke’s client. I expected to hear more about that, but Locke has been quiet.
He smiles wide. “Yes, that’s the one.”
Knox lowers his drink slowly. “What about her?”
Locke looks completely calm when he says, “She’s going to be my wife.”
We all go silent, but Dorian is the first to look at him like he’s lost his damn mind.
