Page 110 of Mr. Wilde

Becket grins, clinking his glass against Devon’s. “Exactly. Someone has to stay single and cynical. Wouldn’t want to hurt the new girls’ feelings.” He winks. “To Max and Cassidy. May you enjoy your ball and chain!”

Fuck’s sake.

Derek gives the two of us an unreadable expression.

Max pulls me closer, his lips brushing my temple as our VIP section erupts into a chorus of toasts and laughter.

“To happily ever afters,” Holt adds. “No one deserves it more.”

Max grins down at me. “Yes. To happily ever afters,” he utters. I’m sure thinking of his sister, wishing there was a chance for the ultimate happy ending.

Holt steps closer, his muscular hand grabbing ahold of Max’s shoulder. “Congratulations, brother.”

“Thank you.” They go in for a quick hug and I have to push down the tears that keep threatening to ruin all of my makeup. These two men mean everything to me.

“Take care of my sister. Or I’ll kick your ass.”

Max chuckles. “Don’t I know it.”

“Hey, I can take care of myself.”

My brother bumps my hip. “Yes. Yes, you can.” He winks.

That pesky drop spills from my eyelid to my chin. “Aww, babe. Don’t cry,” Max swipes it away and kisses the still damp trail along my cheek.

The champagne flows as freely as the laughter. The girls stroll past, smiling in our direction as they carry trays of hors d’oeuvres. The bass of the music thrums as we dance the night away. Max hasn’t let go of my waist once, his possessiveness now transformed into a comfortable pride. This night couldn’t have been any better. Sharing our news with all of our friends and celebrating in grand style.

“Max.” We both turn at the sound of Anthony’s voice. “Can you come with me?” Jeez. He looks so serious.

“Sure, Anthony.” We trail along behind him. Max looks around the club before interrogating the head of security. “Is something wrong? Where is Gianni?” Anthony continues toward Gianni’s office wordlessly. “Are Luca and Matteo okay?”

Clearly, this man is pleading the fifth.

We reach Gianni’s office, and Anthony holds the door open for us. Gianni looks up with a look of concern on his face. My stomach dips. What on earth is happening?

“G?” Max’s voice sounds nervous. Guarded.

“Matteo’s connection in Rome reached out.”

“Shit. Are Matteo and Sydney okay?”

“It’s not them. He’s been assigned to watch Vincenzo’s activity. Particularly the brothels, clubs, and sex trafficking rings.”

I blink nervously, gripping Max’s hand. Where are they going with this?

“I have no way of knowing…” Gianni looks away.

“What? Spit it out,” Max barks.

“There’s a girl who matches Isla’s description.”

I gasp. “Max,” I say on a shaky exhale.

He’s standing frozen in place. Barely breathing.

“He’s trying to get someone closer to the girl. To confirm whether it’s her.” Gianni looks at Max, obviously concerned for his friend. “He said he’ll be in touch.”

“Where is he? When can we go?” Max blurts.