Burning Your Lies (King and Queen Duet #2)

14

Xavier

Basileus is bustling with the affluent. Unlike most clubs, the attendees are dressed in designer suits and cocktail gowns. The glossy black marble floors meet the black walls and give it the moody look Rowan is notorious for. His clubs are exclusive, but those who were lucky to secure an invitation know what he was truly known for; private poker games. The buy-in is fifty-thousand and the winning over ten times that.

“Wow,”

Brynn mutters as she gawks.

“This is … wow.”

The remaining two bodies of our party stay close together, sharing stern looks. Ray wraps his arms around Savannah and whispers something into her ear. Whatever he said makes her swallow hard.

“We’re here on business,”

I remind him.

“I want to secure an exclusive contract with Rowan Ashford for all current and future clubs.”

Savannah takes a deep breath.

“Let’s get to business then.”

She runs her hand down her short black dress. The dimmed lights reflect off the sequins that cover the entire fabric, pulling all eyes onto her. Her exposed, long tanned legs remind me of the times when they would be locked around my neck as I ate the pussy that is barely covered by her outfit. The strings of her excessively tall heels wrap around her calves. And then there are her breasts that move with every step. Savannah is not afraid to flaunt the hourglass figure that still fills my fantasies.

Brynn is the catalyst for a much-needed change. Her fitted beige dress helps her blend into the crowd. While Savannah’s hair sways down her back to her ass, Brynn crafted every strand of her locks into a fancy bun. Her earlobes are adorned with a single pearl that matches the strand circled around her neck. She looks beautiful.

Rowan is dressed in an all black suit to match his club. When he spots me, he approaches us with open arms and a grin.

“The elusive Xavier Rivers is here! How lucky am I?”

I shake his hand.

“Good to see you again, Rowan.”

His eyes flick to the small crowd behind me. His dull eyes brighten at the sight of the married couple. Ray keeps his eyes on Savannah while she meets Rowan’s stare.

My arm wraps around Brynn’s waist, and I break the tension.

“This is Brynn.”

Her doll-like eyes can melt any man that meets them.

“Your club is beautiful.”

Tearing his eyes away from Savannah, he smiles at my date. “I know.”

He kisses the back of her hand. I don’t like the look on his face, but I hate the way he’s looking at Savannah.

Her red lips curl into a smile.

“Savannah.”

“Savannah,”

he echoes.

“Rowan Ashford.”

Ray pulls her into him, drawing Rowan’s attention to him. He doesn’t offer an introduction.

But he doesn’t need to. Rowan’s eyes darken as he stares at him.

“Huxley Ray.”

He laughs and turns his attention back to Savannah.

“I see you don’t wear a ring.”

Her gaze flickers to me.

“I don’t really care for diamonds.”

Rowan looks between the two of us and then bursts into a laugh.

“Interesting.”

“Maybe you can lend me one of yours. You have plenty.”

She points at his hands, where most of his fingers are wrapped in silver.

Like a moth drawn to a flame, he steps closer to her.

“I will happily give you one of mine, but it would mean you belong to me.”

Ray comes between them.

“Back the fuck off.”

Rowan peers up at him and grins, but the haughty look in his eyes makes it known he doesn’t appreciate the threat.

“Savannah, my darling, how about I buy you a drink?”

Her hand wraps around Ray’s bicep, pulling him back to Earth.

“A drink would be lovely. Thank you.”

She shares one last look with her husband before we all follow Rowan to a secluded booth.

He calls a waiter over and orders us the night’s special cocktail.

“I hope you’ve all got a stomach of steel.”

“Why Basileus?”

Brynn asks.

“It translates to monarch. A ruler.”

His eyes are back on Savannah.

“Fitting name for a king, no?”

She smirks.

“You think of yourself as a king?”

He leans back in his seat and crosses his legs.

“What else do you call a multi-millionaire who started from nothing?”

When the drinks are placed in front of us, she sips it without wincing.

“I think it depends how you made your money.”

He too takes a sip of his drink.

“I’ve done it all,”

he brags.

“Boxing, security, investments, pharmaceuticals, cars,”

he gestures to the room, “and the famous clubs.”

She wears a calculating expression.

“I guess you’re a jack of all trades. I should congratulate you then, Basileus.”

“Every monarch needs a queen. Are you interested?”

Like a physical bond between us, she’s looking at me.

“I’ve retired from being queen. It’s not worth the trouble.”

Her words wound me, but I keep my smile intact.

“If I find you a queen, does that earn me your signature on XR stationery?”

Rowan smirks at me.

“I think Mr Huxley Ray is the man for the job. He knows the type of woman I’m after.”

Ray looks unbothered by the entire ordeal.

“I’m not a matchmaker.”

He hums under his breath.

“No, you’re a magician.”

He clasps his hands on the table.

“May I interest any of you in a game of poker?”

Brynn, completely oblivious to the sudden tension around the table, shakes her head.

“I don’t know how to play.”

“Your boyfriend can teach you.”

Before I can speak, Savannah cuts in.

“Xavier only knows how to play chess.”

She’s trying to rankle me, but I will rise above it.

“Poker does not differ from chess. A king and queen, reading your opponents and being five steps ahead of them.”

Her brow arches.

“But in poker you just never know what is coming. You think the game is in your hand, and then before you know it, you’ve lost.”