This is bad. Worse than bad. Because this isn't just physical. If it were, I'd already have her out of my system. One night. Two.
Done.
That's how it works. That's how it's always worked. But her? She's in my head. Worse, she's under my skin. In a way I don't like. In a way I don't control. And I don't do well with things I can't control. I force myself to stop. To look out over the city. Vegas stretches below me, alive, loud, untouchable.
Most people see a city. I see a thousand pressure points. Men I own. Men I watch. Men I can ruin with a single phone call. I know where every piece belongs. How every move ends before it begins. Control is what I do. Except when it comes to her.
And that, that pisses me off more than anything. Because I know exactly where this goes if I don't get a grip. I'll cross a line there won't be any coming back from. Not with her. Not if I want her to keep looking at me the way she did in that elevator. With trust.
My jaw tightens again. Control. That's the key. I've mastered it, built my whole life on it. I can do it again. I have to. Failure isn't an option.
The sun is coming up. Vegas shifts with it. The neon fades just enough for reality to creep back in. For most people, that means the night is over, time to crawl into bed. For me, the real work starts.
My phone vibrates in my hand. Massimo.
"Yeah."
"We have two meetings today," he informs me without preamble. "At eight with the boys. Four with Salazar."
Of course we do. Because apparently the universe decided I don't get a break.
"I'll be there," I tell him.
"Keep your head clear, Gabe."
I almost snort. Too late for that. The line goes dead. I stare at the phone for half a second longer than necessary before slipping it back into my pocket. Eight. That gives me… not enough time for all the things I want to do. Not even close. The door to the living room is behind me. Then there is a hallway, and then the room where Audra is asleep. Exhausted. Broken. And for some reason, I still don't fully understand, mine to protect. At least for now.
My phone rings again before I can make another move. Mauro. "What?"
"They came for the mother."
Everything in me goes cold at his words, but my body keeps moving. I open the bedroom door to leave the penthouse. "What do you meancame for her?"
"They tried to wheel her out," Mauro explains. "Said she needed more tests."
I have a pretty good idea where this is going but still ask. "And?"
A short breath on the other end. "She lost her shit."
Of course she did.
"I already had that test," Mauro mimics in a rougher tone. "I'm not doing it again."
Despite everything, my mouth almost twitches as I step into the living room.
"That bought us time," he continues. "Jack and Mario stepped in. Stopped them before they got her out of the room."
"Where are they now?"
"In custody. I'm on my way to pick them up."
"Who are they?"
"Cartel." My grip tightens on the phone at Mauro's words. Fucking Salazar. "Los Hijos del Desierto," Mauro adds. "Their tattoos are a dead giveaway."
"Keep them alive," I order, dropping my voice. "I want to know why he's after Stacy."
"On it."
