Chapter 14: A Different Kind of Silence
By the time I climbed the stairs to the VIP lounge, the man I was supposed to meet was already there, sitting like he hadn’t just kept me waiting.
Typical.
"Sorry I’m late," he said, flashing a too-white smile. "Got caught up downstairs."
I didn’t care. We shook hands, exchanged a few pleasantries, and got down to business. Fast. I wasn’t in the mood for small talk. The deal closed easily enough─ some partnership agreement, mutual benefits, the usual corporate dance dressed up in nightlight and alcohol.
By the time I leaned back in my seat, the contract signed and digital copy stored in my phone, Liam and Cameron had wandered in each holding with two girls.
They didn’t even pretend to hide their grins.
"What was that downstairs?" Liam asked, already pouring himself a drink. "Did our cold-hearted Adrien just play knight-in-shining armor?"
One Cameron laughed. "You caught her, man. Like─ full-on waist grab and everything. I thought you didn’t touch strangers."
"She’s not a stranger anymore, apparently," Liam added, raising his brows. "You going soft on us?"
I downed the rest of my drink in one go and set the glass down harder than necessary. "She was about to fall."
"Sure," Liam said, grinning. "And I’m here because I love the music."