MARK

"That's Aria, Jason," I said, pointing my chin toward the staircase.

"That's a lie," Jason countered instantly, not even blinking.

He squinted, leaning forward like a cartoon character trying to read fine print. He looked from the woman descending the stairs to me, and then back to me.

"I’m not playing around," I said, taking a long, deliberate sip of champagne to hide the smug grin threatening to split my face. "I am dead serious, Jason. That is our investor, that is twenty-five million dollars walking on two very nice legs."

"Oh, I see," Jason breathed out, a low, appreciative whistle escaping his lips. "I see everything."

He took...