AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Based on the few times I’ve talked to Alessio since we set up the meeting, he thinks she’s good for me. I’m not sure that I agree, but life would be far more boring without her in it, that’s for sure.
And they’ll get along great since they have the same sense of humor.
My phone starts ringing and I breathe a sigh of relief when I see Hadley’s name flashing across the screen.
“Hadley, where are you?” I ask, my tone a little harsher than intended. “We’re waiting for you. Are you close?”
She coughs. “I’m sorry to let you down like this. I’ve been feeling pretty sick for most of the night and it’s only gotten worse this morning. I’m not going to be in today.”
I scowl and consider telling her exactly what I think of the fake cough. “Hadley, we have a meeting with Alessio today. A very important one that I need you at. Would you mind coming in for a little bit? Just for the meeting.”
I’m gritting my teeth as I try to play nice with her but I’m on the verge of losing my patience.
Alessio is only here today, then he is going back to Atlanta. He was clear that he’ll only talk to me about this face-to-face and that he insists on seeing Hadley, so there is no way she is backing out of this. And if I don’t get the information I need from Alessio, someone is going to pay.
I don’t want that person to be Hadley.
She coughs again, sniffling for added effect. “I’m sorry, Jovan. I really don’t think that I’m going to be able to be there. I know how important this meeting is, but I don’t think I can make it. I feel really terrible.”
“Look, Hadley, if this is just your way of avoiding me, then I need you to put the childish shit to the side and get your ass in here. We have business to take care of and I don’t have time to waste playing your games.”
“Fuck you,” she says, venom in her voice before the call goes dead.
I stare at the phone, anger rolling through me in waves. This isn’t how this day is supposed to be going. She isn’t even sick. She’s trying to avoid me because she’s scared of whatever is happening between us.
Hadley is acting like she’s the only one who might be freaking out about the other night.
Little does she know, I haven’t stopped thinking about it either. Every time I close my eyes, there she is.
“Well, that sounded like it went well.” Rio chuckles and busies himself with checking over his gun. “So, we’re going to do the meeting without her?”
“Fuck that. Alessio can wait.” I pull out my phone and dial Alessio’s number, waiting for the rings to end.
“I thought I was supposed to contact you, not the other way around,” Alessio says.
“Listen, I need to move the meeting. Hadley says that she isn’t feeling well, which means that I need to go over there and figure out why she’s lying to me.”
“Have you considered that she’s telling the truth?” Alessio’s tone is sharp. “I have no problem moving the meeting but you need to stop suspecting the worst about people. She doesn’t have to be at the meeting either. I was looking forward to spending some time getting to know the woman who was able to bring you to your knees, but if she isn’t feeling well, she isn’t feeling well.”
I roll my eyes. “Look. I’m going over there. How does midnight work for the meeting?”
“It’s fine. I’ll see you there but do not bring that poor woman if she isn’t feeling up to it.”
“Yeah. Sure. See you later.” I hang up and turn to Rio. “Go get some rest. The meeting will happen at midnight tonight. Be back here for it.”
“Alright, boss. Good luck dealing with Hadley.”
“I’m not going to need it,” I say as I storm out of The Brazen and head for my car.
As I get in, I try to keep the reins tight on my temper. Storming into her apartment and losing my shit is only going to make her less likely to come. I need to approach this with caution.
I know Alessio is okay with her not going, but I’m not. Not if this is her trying to avoid me. I was letting her get her space because I knew she’d be there tonight, so her trying to get out of it is not happening.
However, I need to remember Hadley is acting like a wounded animal who is busy licking her wounds. If I rush her, she will spook.
My hands tighten on the wheel as I head for her apartment.
It doesn’t take long to pick the lock to Hadley’s apartment. That’s the first sign that something might be wrong with her after all. The deadbolts aren’t pulled across and the door opens easily once the lock clicks.
