Empire of Lust: An Enemies with Benefits Romance by Rina Kent

Author:Rina Kent [Kent, Rina]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Blackthorn Books, LLC
Published: 2022-05-04T16:00:00+00:00

17

ASPEN

“Is someone going to tell me what’s going on?”

I groan around the rim of my cup of tequila—it’s useless to call it coffee anymore—and turn around to face Nate.

We’re in the conference room at Weaver & Shaw. Massive, sterile, and soulless. Its main use, aside from the partners’ meetings, is for strategizing how to extract more money from the rich and influential.

Only minutes ago, we concluded a meeting with a large corporation that’s trying to get out of the IRS’s clutches. The CEO left with a promise of a seamless process and a wide grin on his face.

The associate lawyers left with tasks to perform and I was hoping to do the same before Nate closed the door and blocked my way.

He leans against the large desk, arms crossed with apparent nonchalance, but his dark eyes pin me down with a demand of an answer to his question.

An answer I don’t have unless I blurt out that I fucked his best friend, partner, and father-in-law.

That was yesterday—or early this morning. Since then, I’m surprised I can walk—albeit slowly, so as not to trigger the feeling of Kingsley inside me. I’ve been sorer than a warrior out of the battlefield, with bites, hickeys and handprints that should be enough to press charges for assault.

Though an assault is the last thing it felt like. That was pure claiming, intense and unbearably ruthless.

I had no chance to walk away unscathed, and it’s not only because of what he did. It’s the fact that I lost myself and took pleasure in every moment of it.

And I know that if I don’t stay away, there’s more of that to come. Next time, I probably won’t even be able to walk.

Next time? Why the hell are you thinking about the next time? That won’t be happening.

I massage my temple, trying to force myself back into the moment. “What do you mean?”

Nate raises a brow, which translates to, “I’m not the person you can bullshit,” then starts counting on one hand. “First, I find out you were assaulted, then I learn King is back to being Nicolo Luciano’s side bitch, and as if that’s not enough, you coincidentally are getting into bed with the mafia, too. I leave for one second and you switch sides to the underground world? I expected this from King, but not from you, Aspen.”

I sip a long drag of my coffee-tequila because I’m apparently too sober for this conversation. “It’s just business.”

“And life is just a simulation.” He stares, utterly unamused. “What’s going on?”

“I needed a favor, okay?”

“What type of favor?”

“The type you shouldn’t worry about.”

“If it concerns you, then it has all the conditions to make me worry. You’re my friend and my wife’s mother, Aspen. So if there’s anything I need to know, now is the time to say it.”

“It’s really nothing, Nate. I’ll take care of it and I promise that the firm will stay out of this.”

“How about Gwyneth? Will she be out of your business with the mafia, too? I thought you wanted a chance with her.

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