Levi didn’t even know what to say to that. Since when did his Creed-clutching friend talk so casually about murder? “The city’s on curfew. You think the Irons are making voltage now? I can’t help you. And Harrisonwon’thelp you. What would you have me do?”
I sound like Jonas, he realized, hating himself a bit.
“I’d have you care,” Jac growled, as though Levi didn’t. As though those papers in his waste bin meant nothing to him. Not his friends, not his dreams.
“I care aboutyou, but I think you should leave.”
“What about Enne? Isn’t she one of the richest people in the North Side now?”
“Not anymore, with...” Levi squeezed his hand into a fist. “You’d askher? You’d ask her after the promise you made me swear?”
Jac stiffened. “I only asked because of Vianca. It’s Enne’s freedom on the line, too.”
“Vianca isourproblem. You overheard one conversation and pretend like you understand. It isn’t that simple, and these past few weeks have been awful because of it.” Levi took a deep breath. When he’d practiced saying this, he hadn’t imagined it would be here, in this room. He didn’t want to taint his good memories with an added layer of guilt. “Jac, I... I broke the promise I made to you. I tried not to for a long time, but—”
“I’m not surprised, Levi,” he said brusquely. “And it’s fine. I don’t care. If anything, I get it—”
“You’re not surprised? You don’t care?” Levi bit back the urge to shout. He’d spent months trying to be better about keeping his promises, and his best friend was telling him he’d known all along that his effort was useless? That it hadn’t mattered to him anyway?
“I didn’t mean it like that,” Jac said quickly. “Just that knowing you both...it was going to happen. And no, I don’t know everything about Vianca, but I know it would’ve been better for you and Enne to wait.”
“How can you say that you don’t care?” Levi snapped. “I’ve been beating myself up formonthsabout this. I made her cry. I’ve been so unhappy, and just... You don’t care?”
“Unhappy? You’ve gotten everything, Levi. You got the gang. You have more volts than you could ever need. Everything you’ve ever wanted fell right into your lap. Just like it always does.”
“Like it always does?” Levi kicked over his waste bin, sending crumbled paper scattering across the floor. “Like that time Chez nearly killed me? Or Vianca trapped me? Or I was invited to the Shadow Game? Meanwhile, I’ve been so worried that sending you on this assignment would be a mistake—would be terrible for you. Now I realize I sent you away to have the time of your life. What was I worried about?”
“You told me you trusted me,” Jac said sternly. “Did you lie about that?”
“Of course I lied,” Levi hissed. His voice was rising—he wanted to scream—but he restrained himself. It was a habit with Jac.
“You still won’t yell at me.” Jac shook his head. “I can’t believe this. I shouldn’t have come. I didn’t even think you’d have it in you to last this long.”
Levi winced. He was used to taking blows from Jac—he’d said far worse years ago when he’d been desperate for his next lull. But that had been then. And while he knew Jac wasn’t coming from the same place, whenever his friend grew harsh with him, it left a bad taste in his mouth. Like worry and helplessness.
As Jac headed for the door, Levi followed. “You don’t get to claim the high ground when you’re taking the same risks—worse, even! You don’t get to ask for help when you should be leaving the Torren business behind!” Jac stopped, his shoulders tensed. “Are you happy? I’m yelling now!”
Jac whirled around, and Levi took a step back. Jac looked angry enough to punch him. “Whenyoutake risks, it’s part of the game. WhenIdo it, I’m self-destructive.” He curled his hands into fists. “WhenIask for help, you make a business decision. Whenyouask for help, there is no decision. I’m constantly trying to make it up to you, keeping my cool so you don’t get worried, not wanting to weigh you down.”
“You’ve never weighed me down,” Levi said, quickly sobering. “I just want to understand why you’re doing this. I never asked you to take it this far. Is it just for her?”
Jac took a slow, steady breath, and that was when Levi knew he’d lost him. “You still don’t get it. I’m doing this for me.” Then he turned around, opened the door, and left.
Levi froze in shock. That was his best friend walking away.
But Levi didn’t know what words to say that wouldn’t be lies. He wouldn’t apologize, because he wasn’t sorry.
Everything you’ve ever wanted fell right into your lap. Just like it always does.
He sighed and bent down to clean up the mess. The waste bin overflowed with schedules and invoices that no longer mattered, thanks to the lockdown.
For weeks, the lords had lived like kings. And now he feared they might die like kings, too.
Levi plugged his phone back into the wall.
Moments later, it rang.
He kept the receiver several inches from his ear as the casino manager yelled. “This is only a temporary situation,” Levi said reassuringly. When the yelling continued, he forced a tired lie. “Believe me, I understand. But you know me. I came from nothing, and here I am. I’ll have it under control soon.”
