NERO: Chapter 52

Fuck.

Plastering a neutral expression on my face, I stop my pursuit and greet the asshole who shouted my name.

“Brenton.” I shake his hand. “Nice to see you,” I lie.

Most everyone in this room already knows who I am, but I don’t exactly want Payton flying around with my name on her lips. Not that I think she’d do anything with it, but you never know.

“I didn’t know you’d be here!” Brenton nudges the man next to him. “This is King Vass, the guy I was telling you about. With all the money.”

Classy.

“Nice to meet you.” I bob my head as I take a step back. “Save a drink for me. I gotta take care of something real quick.”

I’m full of shit, but Brenton’s smile is bigger than ever and his head won’t stop nodding.

He’s probably a decent guy. Owns a winery just south of the cities. But that’s the problem, he’s a decent guy. And I don’t need any extra dead weight in my life.

Forcing my own smile to stay in place, I keep walking the direction I was headed, my eyes scanning the crowd for Payton.

I was so close.

I could’ve had her. My fingers brushed the fabric of her long sleeves, but I hesitated. And I hesitated because Nero wasn’t specific.

To be fair, he wasn’t in a position to give me a full briefing, but as soon as I felt the fabric under my touch, I faltered. Because what the fuck am I actually supposed to do?

The woman was already crying when I spotted her. Even though she was moving quickly and quietly, people were bound to have noticed her. And a crying woman in a party is memorable. Add on a well-known figure, myself, accosting said crying woman in the middle of a party, now that would be unforgettable. Exactly what Nero is trying to avoid.

Not to mention the fact that Nero is more unhinged than usual when it comes to Payton, and he might not react well to me manhandling her. Hell, he probably wouldn’t react well to me touching any part of her. Which begs the question, how exactly am I supposed to get her to go with me, a stranger, to a private room, after Nero already did something to upset her?

Still searching, my eyes finally catch the sparkle of her dress and I curse to myself when I see she’s already past the entrance to the party room, waiting for the fucking elevator.

If those doors close before I get there, she’s as good as gone.

But if I can get the two of us alone in the elevator… that might do it.