Free Descent From Grace: A Luxe Novella Book 1.5 by H.Q. Frost Page A

even fucking know if she’s ever coming home again.
    My meeting with Ulf Werner didn’t go as planned. He offered me ten thousand less than standard and it’s not acceptable, except he’s a good client and I want his business in the future, but sending one of my best girls away for a month for ten thousand less is taking a hit.
    Caesar has pissed me the fuck off. I feel like I’m being lied to by Ashley, or by Lily. By someone! Caesar talks to Ashley everyday, how can he not know the truth about Lily and me?
    Ashley’s a sweaty mess as she approaches the booth with a man close enough to be her tail.
    I look at her and she laughs. “What’d you tell Caesar?”
  “What’d you tell Caesar,” I snarl.
      “Nothing.” She wipes her forehead. “That’s your and Lilith’s place.”
  “Well according to him, Lilith told him her ring was from that cop. What’s fucking going on?” My eyes narrow.
      “ What’s going on ?” she snickers and sits with her lackey shadowing her movements. “You’re marrying my best friend and fucking my worst enemy.”
    This is not the place to piss her off; she’ll cause a scene and I really don’t want attention drawn to me.
    It’s hard, but I manage to appear calm. “Did she tell Caesar he gave her the ring?”
    She rolls her eyes. “Jokingly.” Her drink presses to her lips and she’s swallowing like it’s water and not a sixteen dollar Tequila Sunrise. “She didn’t tell him anything.” Getting to her feet, she kicks my shoe with her obnoxiously pointy toe. “Have some fun. Fuck, you’re a miserable prick since meeting Lily.”
    I think that’s true.
    At the bar, I’m approached by a man who immediately pushes his hand into mine and says, “Hey. Ian Jacks.”
    I don’t know him, or I don’t remember him.
      “I’ve bought from you before,” he says and I give him a firmer, friendlier handshake. “Ally? Alice?”
  “Ally.” I nod.
    He inhales through his teeth. “Nice girl. Real nice.”
  “Thank you.” I turn back to the bar.
      “Let me get your drink.”
    Biting back my irritation, I tell him, “I’m all right, thanks. If you need anything, you have our number.” Taking my drink, I walk away as quickly as I casually can.
    I’m not going to conduct business in a nightclub and I’m not going to let him buy me drinks with the hopes of cheaper rates on my girls.
    There’s a girl sitting at our booth. It’s my fucking booth! When I come here I request the same booth every time and I get it. I approach the table and glance around, seeing she’s alone.
  “You sitting here?” I ask; obviously she’s fucking sitting here.
  “I’m waiting for Ashley.”
    I slightly shake my head and sit.
      “I’m Nic—”
  “I’m married,” I interrupt before she says anything else.
    Extremely offended, she snickers, “I’m gay.”
    Now I realize this is catfight Nic, Nic that scratched my girl, Nic that I don’t like.
      “I’m sorry,” I blurt, wanting to know why she’s around.
      “I’m friends with Ashley.”
    I look at her, wanting answers. Like why’d you hit my girl? Why are you saying you’re friends with my sister? Why are you here?
    I can’t stop the contempt on my face or in my tone. “I know who you are.”
  “You’re friends with Lily.” She points to me. “With the car and the nice apartment.”
  “You were in my apartment?” That doesn’t sit well with me.
      “I was dating Lily for a while. I picked her up there once.”
  “You weren’t dating her,” I say derisively. “You were fucking. That’s all it was.”
    She wants to kill me and I’m probably giving her the same look.
    Ashley approaches during our stare down. “Ian, this is Nic, she knows Lily.”
Looking at her like she’s inept, I growl, “I know!” I want to ask her what the fuck she’s doing.
      “Let’s get a drink.” She pulls Nic away from the table.
I need to go home. I need to be with Lily, but