Chapter 25: Oh, I Intend To

Who could have thought, the leader of the Wild Hounds, the most feared gang in the entire district, was sitting there trying very hard not to look embarrassed.

Darius leaned farther into the booth, one arm draped lazily across the backrest. Since Leo was so obviously trying to change the subject, he decided to let him. After all, the sooner they got through this meeting, the sooner he could get back to his prince.

"You sounded very sincere in your letter," Darius said. "Who would’ve thought you’d keep me waiting after going through all that effort to convince me to come?"

Leo took a slow sip of whiskey, using the moment to study the man sitting across from him. This was not what he had expected Rosé’s little crush to be like.

He had expected a former waiter to look at least a little intimidated sitting in the headquarters of the most feared gang in the district. Maybe a bit cautious. A bit nervous. The kind of tension people carried when they found themselves surrounded by dangerous men in an unfamiliar place.

Instead, this guy looked completely relaxed.

Even now, his gaze wandered around the room with casual curiosity, as if he were inspecting a mildly interesting café rather than the inner sanctum of the Wild Hounds.

Waiters weren’t supposed to look this comfortable around gangsters.

They certainly weren’t supposed to look like they were evaluating the room and everyone in it. And this wasn’t the sort of confidence someone picked up from spending three weeks around royalty.

If anything, he carried himself more like a gang leader than half the gang leaders Leo had met.

"You’re right, Your Highness," Leo admitted, setting his glass down with a soft click. The ice cubes trembled. "I owe you an apology. Keeping you waiting wasn’t my intention. Honestly, I didn’t expect you to come here yourself. I thought Your Highness would choose somewhere more comfortable and summon me there, not walk straight into our headquarters."

He paused briefly before asking. "How did you even know where our headquarters was?"

"You’d be surprised by the things I know." Darius’s mouth curved into a faint smile. "Anyway, the location doesn’t matter to me. What I hate is dragging things out. The sooner we get this over with, the sooner I can focus on more important things."

Is he saying this isn’t important?

Leo wasn’t sure whether to be amused or offended. "Fair enough," he said.

"If you don’t mind, let’s move this upstairs to the VVIP lounge. It’s quieter there, and we can speak more comfortably. This lounge is mostly for welcoming important guests."

Important guests, huh? Darius mused.

Was Leo trying to flatter him?

"Sure," he said. "Lead the way."

Leo rose from his seat. Marcus immediately moved beside him.

Darius pushed himself upright and followed while Rowan fell into step behind him. The hallway narrowed as they moved farther into the building, the pounding bass from the VIP lounge gradually fading into the background.

Darius found himself watching Leo and Marcus more than the surroundings. The two men never touched, yet somehow remained constantly aware of each other’s presence. Small glances. Tiny adjustments in pace. The unconscious way Marcus always positioned himself where he could keep Leo within sight.

They were practically glued together without actually touching. Darius almost laughed.

So the rumors about Leo dating his right-hand man were actually true. Looking at them now, he didn’t see much point in denying it.

The way they moved around each other spoke for itself. They must have loved each other a great deal. The thought unexpectedly made him think of Basil. Darius couldn’t help wondering what it would feel like when he and his prince finally reached that point, when they couldn’t bear to stay away from each other for long.

He already loved Basil more than words could adequately describe.

Now he simply needed Basil to catch up.

Hopefully soon. Because after spending twelve years dreaming about him, Darius was beginning to run dangerously low on patience, especially now that he got to see Basil every day.

"We’re here, Your Highness."

Leo stopped before a heavy black door. Marcus stepped forward and opened it. Leo entered first, with Darius close behind.

The difference between the VIP lounge and the VVIP lounge was immediate. The music here was low enough to fade into the background. There were no strippers, no flashing neon lights, and no crowds of drunken patrons trying to outshout one another. Instead, the room looked more like a private penthouse than part of a nightclub.

Plush sofas surrounded a low glass table. A fully stocked bar occupied one wall, and soft golden lighting cast a warm glow over the space. The only other person in the room was already rising from a velvet armchair.

Rosé Valentine.

She wore a tight crimson dress that clung to every curve, the neckline plunging far lower than necessary and the hem stopping high on her thighs. Combined with the glittering jewelry hanging from her ears and wrists, the entire look felt less elegant and more like someone trying far too hard to get attention.

"Your Highness." She offered a slight bow and a bright smile. "I’m so glad you accepted our invitation. And I’m glad you made it here safely. It’s nice to see you again."

Darius’s frown was immediate.

The spoiled brat.

The source of more headaches than he cared to count. Because he refused to date her, she had cost him jobs, spread rumors about him, and even arranged for people to rough him up.

Darius smiled. Unfortunately for Rosé, it wasn’t a pleasant smile. "I’m not afraid I can’t say the same." He stepped farther into the room. "It’s not nice to see you at all.

In fact..."His gaze swept over her. "The sight of you has ruined my evening."

Rosé’s smile vanished instantly.

The color drained from her face.

Behind him, Rowan frowned.

Rosé? Is this the person Prince Darius had come to see?

Except nothing about His Highness’s expression looked like a man pleased to see the person he’d traveled all this way to meet.

Leo stepped smoothly between them before the situation could escalate.

"Rosé," he said firmly. "Sit down quietly. And for once in your life, don’t create additional problems." Rosé looked offended.

Then, wisely, she sat back down.

Leo turned toward Darius and gestured toward one of the sofas. ℯℯ𝘭.

"Your Highness, please make yourself at home."

"Oh, I intend to."

Darius crossed the room and dropped onto the largest sofa available, stretching out comfortably and crossing one leg over the other as though he owned the place.