Chapter 26: What Am I up To?

••~~CORIAN~~••

About ten seconds into the road.

Phone buzzed.

Of course.

Looks like today is 'call Corian day,'

I sighed, swiping the screen of my watch, “Angelique,” I said flatly, not even trying to sound thrilled.

“Corian, darling… you could at least pretend you’re happy to hear from me.”

I leaned back in my seat, hand resting against the wheel. The city lights cut through the windshield, throwing streaks across my face.

Angelique.

Brilliant. Greedy. Famous. My business partner. She runs the grind like it’s an addiction, and she doesn’t blink before taking down anyone in her way.

One of the sharpest sharks in the water.

“I don’t pretend, Angelique. You know that.”

“Mmm. Always a charmer,” she mused, like she found it cute. “So tell me, have you fallen off the planet? Your secretary says you’re on break.”

I snorted under my breath. Of course she’s been snooping. That’s her thing… never lets anything slip past her.

How did the son of the biggest Gun Lord in the country become CEO of a global art empire?

Simple. I snitched on my father when he broke the only damn rule I actually gave a shit about:

Family first.

He was supposed to protect us. But he broke every one of us instead.

Especially her.

The one thing I ever cared about.

The Black market... the biggest Gun cartel collapsed. I vanished. Went underground. Found art again. Built Halen Inc from the ruins it was thrown in.

It’s not a clean empire, but it’s mine now.

“Are you avoiding me, Corian?” She asked.

I ran a hand down my face. The day was already choking me. I didn’t need this too.

I’m not avoiding her. I’m avoiding everyone. My body’s a ticking clock, and I don’t owe the world my time anymore.

“I’m taking time off.”

She scoffed so loud it made me smirk. “You? You never take time off. What are you really up to?”

Evading death.

Fucking Maddison.

Thinking about doing it again.

“A man’s allowed a break, isn’t he?”

“You know I only do business with you. Not those vultures at your company.”

“You’ll survive, Angelique,” I muttered, because Victoria is a Vulture too. Just not one who eats her friends.

At least not yet.

There was a pause on the line. I could practically see her tilting her head, rolling her eyes like she always did when she didn’t get her way.

“Truth is, I miss you,” she said finally.

“You miss my money.”

“Touché,” she laughed. “You caught me. I have a big auction at the Rig tonight. Your presence gets wallets opening. You’re good for their egos.”

I groaned softly, tapping my fingers against the steering wheel.

The Rig. The underworld of art auctions. Where power is flexed, greed wears diamonds, and no rules apply.

“Not happening tonight,” I said.

“Well then, let me remind you of that favor you owe me.”

I sucked in a slow breath, head leaning back against the seat rest.

Right. The Spain job.

Her ex-husband Sergio gave me a golden ticket into the European market. She made that happen. That was her card. And she just played it.

I shut my eyes. Breathed. “Fine. I’ll be there. But we’re square after this.”

“I can always trust you, Corian.” Her voice was sweet and smug and she let it hang in the air for a second.

I already knew what she’d say next.

“Bring Victoria… she loves the Rig.”

I let out a stiff laugh. The kind that didn’t sound amused.

Hell no.

Victoria and Angelique could be sisters. Insatiable. Greedy. Manipulative. But one of them just works for what she wants. The other expects it handed to her, wrapped up with a bow.

“Sorry. Solo tonight.”

“Oh come on,” she whined, playful now. “You know showing up with a woman keeps them spending. That illusion they could ever have Corian Van Halen's woman… makes them throw their entire accounts at the podium.”

Women like Victoria strut through the crowd dripping in designer and champagne, whispering into the ears of married billionaires who can’t stop staring at her diamonds…. or her tits.

She doesn’t buy art. She sells influence.

And the Rig eats that shit up.

I narrowed my eyes at the road.

“Not gonna happen, Angelique.”

“Fine, fine. Be the brooding loner.” She sighed dramatically. “Just don’t wear that turtleneck from Paris. Makes you look like you’re hiding a neck tattoo.”

I smirked. “I do have a neck tattoo.”

“Exactly my point.”

There it was. That quick-fire banter. It’s the only reason we can stand each other. She’s the closest thing I have to a friend in business, mostly because she’s never tried to sleep with me.

“I’ll see you tonight. But remember... this clears us.”

“Darling, you know I’ll never let you go,” she said, tone drawling with amusement.

“Bye, Angelique.”

I killed the call.

Tossed the phone onto the seat beside me.

Ran a thumb across my lower lip, jaw tightening.

I don’t know what it was…. maybe the way she said "bring a woman."

Maybe the way my mind slammed into the image of Maddison’s legs tangled in my sheets.

I picked up the phone again. Thumb flying across the screen. One ring.

“Corian darling… missed me already?” Shawny purred.

Her voice was always laced with sugar and intentions. Always sounded like she knew something you didn’t. Always three steps ahead.

“I need a favor.”

“Anything for you, baby.”

She meant it. Shawny doesn’t owe many people anything. But me? Different story. I gave her a shot when no one else would. Told her to weaponize her taste. And she did.

“I want you to make someone unforgettable tonight.”

There was a pause. I could feel her sit up straighter.

“I want you to use those wicked fashion instincts of yours,” I continued. “Pull out the kind of dress that makes men stop breathing.”

“Ooh.” She was already picturing it. “That kind of favor?”

“That kind. Something lethal. Eyes-on-her-all-night type lethal.”

Another pause.

Longer this time.

Then her voice dropped…. And I could almost hear the wheels in her head turning.

“What are you up to, Corian?”

I stared at the road ahead.

I didn’t answer. Couldn’t.

Because the only thing in my head was Maddison.

And the shit I was about to do with her.