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“Yeah,” he shifted his gaze to James, “but we might need you soon, Jamie. Vinny’s almost here, but it was hell to pull him away. Glad you came tonight. Perfect timing.”
“Of course.” James offered a single nod. “Maddie invited me.”
He snorted, darting his eyes between us again. “Did I interrupt anything?”
“What?!” I snapped with a nervous laugh. “Nopeee, I was just coming out for some fresh air.”
“In an alley full of garbage?”
He knew exactly what he was doing, and it was only a matter of minutes before he embarrassed me about James. The glint in his eyes, paired with that stupid knowing lip nibbling, told me he was a ticking time bomb with privileged information. He’d been highly encouraging me to go for it, since we returned from Grand Cayman. Former friends with benefits turned into biggest cheerleader.
“I need to get back inside.” I glanced at James. “See you there?”
He offered a single nod before he tore his gaze away and back to Antonio while I disappeared inside.
What was that?! I paused at the top of the steps, shaking my head. I needed to keep my distance. Ignoring the moment on the wall, I grabbed some food, scarfed it down, and got back to work as a much-needed distraction.
Vincenzo arrived several minutes after I returned downstairs and gathered his friends in the office area. Dimitri’s door was now closed which meant no one, not even the green-eyed bitch, Cheyenne, was allowed in the back; which she whined about nonstop. It wasn’t until the club closed for the night and all the customers were gone that the men materialized up front.
James and Vincenzo sauntered to the bar, perching on stools in front of Jimmy and Gian while a few others left. I finished wiping the last table down and ambled over.
“What can I make you guys?” Jimmy asked.
James watched me as I rounded a pillar and tossed the cloth into the dirty hamper that was brought out every night. I flashed him a shy smile, then stepped behind the bar to wash my hands.
“Nothing tonight,” Vincenzo murmured. “I need to get back home to Eliza. Having to run out on her after she made my favorite meal was shitty. She officially moved in today.”
Jimmy laughed, and they continued chatting back and forth. My gaze lifted to see James staring at my reflection in the mirrored backsplash. Quickly lowering my eyes, I finished washing my hands and dried them off. Why am I suddenly nervous in front of him? I spun around, ready to say goodnight.
“Maddie,” Vincenzo called my attention to him, “you sure are quiet tonight.”
“I’m tired.”
“Hmmm.” He wasn’t buying my half-truth.
Gian excused himself, scowling as he hurried toward the back without a word.
“What’s his deal?” I crinkled my brow.
“That,” Jimmy threw a rag over his shoulder and rested a palm on the bar, “was him avoiding you, gorgeous.”
“Me?” I pointed to myself in mild shock.
He nodded. “Our boy’s in love, Maddie girl.”
I glanced at Vincenzo and James. Neither seemed amused whatsoever. Vincenzo’s glare could’ve cut through a cement wall. He ran his tongue over his teeth. James gnawed the inside of his cheek, his eyes narrowed ever so slightly.
Jimmy continued, “You should go out with him. He’s a good kid.” He chuckled. “Well, good, by our standards. Maybe too good.” He stepped closer, nudging me in the side. “Let him take you home tonight. You took the train, and it’s safer to let him.”
Vincenzo grumbled. “You took the train?”
“Yeah, and as you can see,” I held my hands out to the side, “I look fucking fantastic and unstabbed.”
Slight amusement appeared on his face. Vincenzo had always been so serious and quiet when I was younger. It wasn’t until he was released from prison and started dating my best friend that I even saw him as an actual human being. He’d become a bit protective of me as well, from what Elizabeth told me when she poured her guts out to me after they returned.
She’d unlocked something in him, and he’d become an almost pleasure to be around. Still, I wouldn’t have wanted to be on his bad side. His reputation would always precede him; he was highly dangerous. But he made my best friend happier than I’d ever seen her, and that was all I cared about.
He lifted a cigarette to his lips, lighting it. “You still shouldn’t be taking the train.”
