Page 5 of Arranged Pleasures
“Tony said we have less than a week until the room will be done,” Giulio states, the elevator doors opening to the dark black room with deep wine-red accents. In the center of the room is an x-shaped stage that glows with a pearl-white display. The most expensive thing in this place is that stage. It is made up of over five hundred screens that we change with each set.
I take an immediate right and pass rooms one through three and right into construction.
“What the fuck is this. How am I supposed to open tonight! Has it been a mess like this all week?”
There is debris, sawdust and miscellaneous tools and items all over the place. It looks like a fucking mess. When I left Monday, it wasn’t such a disaster.
“No, sir.” Tony shakes his head rapidly. “We do a thorough clean hours before opening and shut the door.”
“Yeah, with giant fucking caution tape on the door like a goddamn eyesore!” I kick a piece of the wood sitting in the hall and it ricochets off the wall and down toward the powder room.
“I can remove the tape and add a knob with a lock, sir. We will remove it once it is done so that the door can’t be locked once it is in use.”
“Now we are using our fucking heads.” I step into the room and look around. The walls are being painted and the windows have gone up for the viewing room.
“We will finish painting and then add the custom cabinets, drawers and round it out with the industrial cemented floor you liked.”
“I want a door to the powder room from here with a keypad for our employees. Also, Tony, I was reading your proposal and didn’t appreciate you adding me to the list of men to try the room out.” I pause, my hands are inside my pockets and when we face one another his throat bobs thickly with his swallow.
“Sorry, sir, I just assumed?—”
I take two strides and have his neck in my hand instantly. “You assumed I would cheat on my wife, or do you have a problem with Mrs. Valiente, your regina?”
Tony is one of my men and he spearheads any construction on new ventures, homes, developments and more, but right now he is an enemy. Let’s hope he answers wisely.
“No,” he chokes out, my grip constricting his airways.
I shake him a little to continue. “I wanted to make sure you were included out of respect for you, it was an idiotic mistake on my part, sir. I respect both you and Mrs. Valiente.” I tighten justa bit more, his face going red, and just as I think he may pass out, I let him go and he falls to the floor, gasping for air.
“Good, now make the changes I requested and get this done.”
He nods, still trying to gain back his breathing and I leave him there to learn his lessons.
I would never cheat on Emelia and when I saw my name on that list, my blood boiled to a full eruption. I have looked at that contract over a million times and every time I looked at my name, it worsened the blow. Fuck anyone who would tempt our marriage, insinuate the idea or anything along those lines. Emelia is the only one I see in any room, in a crowd, she will always stand out and steal my attention. Was Tony innocent and including me because I own the fucking place? Sure, but that doesn’t mean he should remember to avoid that in the future.
“Back to business, call in the team.” I bark at Giulio over my shoulder as we make our way back up to my office. Home awaits.
Chapter Three
EMELIA
Icannot shake that damn proposal from my head. For what reason? Nico blatantly denied the proposal. There is no reason for it to be eating at me, yet here we are. Is it worry? Or is there something else eating at me that I am unable to pinpoint?
“Farren!” I holler from my library.
James and Farren are outside the door, still on me like I am in danger even in my own home.
“Yes ma’am,” James announces their arrival.
“I have a question.” I peer up from my book and I lean forward, placing my arms against my thighs. “What all happens in each of the rooms at the club?”
They share a look and awkwardly shift back and forth before Farren speaks up. “Mrs. Valiente, I don’t think Mr. Valiente would appreciate us talking about subject matter like this.”
I lick the inside of my cheek and nod. Scoffing, I push. “Do you think he would be equally upset to know you aren’t answering my questions?”
They once again look at one another.
“Farren. You tell me now and let me worry about the consequences from my husband.”