Dangerous Notes (Dark Pen)

I’m standing on the fringe of the room, taking a small moment to catch my breath from the pressing meet and greet party while enjoying watching Rowan working the room like the consummate socialite she has always been. Except, like me, she’s shown me she is so much more than what she used to be.

She is my everything.

None of the accomplishments of the last four months would mean anything to me if I hadn’t shared them with her.

“What are you doing standing over here? Don’t you have guests to schmooze with?”

I spin to find unexpected visitors arriving. “Atlas! You told us you weren’t going to make it back into town for the grand opening.” I hold out my hand for a shake from the taller man.

“Valentina and I talked it through, and both decided we didn’t want to miss celebrating the new year with our closest friends.”

“And here I thought you’d be ringing in the new year down in Rome.”

“Naw, our visit there was nice, but Rome will never be home,” Atlas responds, slipping his arm around Valentina’s waist, and gazing down at her like a man in love.

“You’re looking good. Did your wound heal up okay?” I ask her.

“Perfectly, Dr. Z. I barely have a scar so thank you.”

I chuckle at her nickname for me. “I’m just glad I could help out. I had worried that running the hotel would mean never using my darker cleaner skills anymore.”

“Fat chance,” Atlas teases. “You’re going to be just as busy over here in London as you were in New York.”

“I keep trying to tell him the same thing,” Dex says, stepping next to me to shake Atlas’s hand. “Welcome back to London.”

“Thanks, but I have to ask. Is this rumor I heard true? Is one of my oldest friends—a confirmed bachelor—now engaged?”

“Don’t act surprised. I told you a month ago I was going to pop the question at Christmas.”

“Sure, but I didn’t really think you’d be smart enough to go through with it. That woman is a treasure, and it’s about time you two got your shit figured out.”

I bite my tongue to keep from agreeing with Atlas, mainly because having had a front row seat to the trauma which tore Dex and Katja apart years before, I understood better than anyone just how hard they’ve each had to work to make it back to each other.

Atlas pulls Valentina into motion. “We’re going to go hit the buffet table and drink your expensive champagne. It’s the least we can do to help you celebrate the grand opening.”

As they walk away, Dex steps next to me, quietly peering out into the busy gathering just as I had been doing minutes before.

He finally breaks the silence between us. “I think our fathers would be very happy if they were here tonight.”

It’s a bittersweet topic to bring up on such an important day. “Yeah, I think you’re right.” I pause before adding, “I know Katja’s father would be happy too. He always talked about you being the son he always wanted. He would be so happy to see you and Katja getting married.”

When Dex doesn’t answer, I glance over to see him swallowing several times as if he’s choked up. Understanding, I wait until he can reply. “I wish all three fathers could be here to see how we not only kept The Whitney going as they had, but we are growing—expanding the empire they started.”

The topic feels important, but also heavy. Deciding to lighten the mood, I tease, “And soon, the way you and Katja fuck like rabbits, you’ll have the next generation in the oven in no time.”

“Oh Christ, don’t even get me started down that path. I’m just now coming to terms with the idea of marriage. Give me a hot minute before we start talking babies.” At least he’s laughing as he adds, “And we’ll need to get you and Rowan married off too so you can start popping out kids around the same time. That way our kids can grow up as friends, living in the hotels together just like we did.”

“It really was a magical childhood, wasn’t it?” I ask.

“The best,” he agrees.

“I’m going to have to start thinking about buying a ring soon, aren’t I?”

“Hell yes. You might make it until after our wedding is over, but then you and Rowan are next.”

Looking out into the crowd, Rowan looks up and our eyes meet across the room. Her sunshine smile grows, and I swear I can see the blush across her cheeks even from a distance. If I didn’t know any better, I’d swear she was thinking about how I’d promised to tie her to the bed and fuck her until she passes out after tonight’s gala is over.

Christ, I’m a lucky man.

Answering the closest thing I’ll ever have to a brother, I say, “I’m not sure I’ll make it until after your wedding. I need to get a ring on her finger as soon as possible before one of the new clients we have staying at The Rooftop decides he wants to cut in on my action.”