“He’s made waves—a name for himself here. Thought I would give you a heads-up, hopefully talk her out of having anything to do with him because I need him to focus. He gets lost in his phone and fucks up my shipments instead of doing what the hell I pay him to do.”
Em leans forward, digging his elbows into the tops of his denim-clad knees while he stares at Nadia. She gives nothingaway, even her body language screams ‘nice try’ all while one of my hands kneads her thigh. I know what the hell he’s doing, he’s trying to scare her off—making her think I also work for him or will, and that her presence isn’t welcome. He failed with my sister, surely he doesn’t think he will win with Nadia, her attitude and backbone is far sharper.
“I don’t know what you want me to do. He’s a grown man and though she’s only seventeen, I can’t tell her to do shit.”
“That’s where you’re wrong. She can kick rocks or he can go away for a long time. I’m trying to keep my operations open and moving in the right direction and she’s fucking it up.”
“Don’t put this on my sister.”
“Pussy is dangerous. You should heed the same warning.”
“Or you can mind your business.” Nadia sneers.
“Watch it, princess. I’ll wipe the floor with you before Rey can get his pretty ass off the couch.”
“Is this how you speak to all the guests you coerce into your cookouts? You’re not much of a host.”
“Brave mouth on you—and you…” he looks over at me. “You should control your girl better. I’ll let this incident slide once but after that you’re going to eat gravel.”
“Rey, can we go? Looks like respect isn’t a two-way street here.” She goes to rise and I yank her down to me.
“We’re not leaving yet.” She’s about to explode when I move the conversation back to the topic at hand. “I’ll talk to Ximena but there’s no promises, Em. I can only do so much. That’s something you might want to take up with him because I’ve tried to get her to dump his ass for a year now.”
“That’s not good enough, Rey. You know I expect things to be taken care of a certain way and you’re the man that can do it. I better see their relationship disappear before he gets hurt.”
“Hurt him then. I don’t like his ass to begin with.”
Em stalls, sitting up straight. His posture screaming violence, fingers cracking his knuckles trying to rein himself in, eyes dilating like those of a predator. He’s ready to strike but Nadia is in the way and he won’t hurt her.
There’s a long pause in the air, noise dying down momentarily. Several pairs of eyes shift our way, some hesitant to be nosey, others ready to take count of everything as it unfolds. This is what he hates, questioning and denying the things he wants done—immediately, might I add. If he wants to control the world, perhaps he should cozy up to his dad and go the white-collar route instead of the gangster one because there will always be someone who will challenge him.
Em glances to his left, nodding at his right-hand man before he stands. Leaving Nadia’s head right at his waist height—putting her in an uncomfortable position that pisses me the hell off.
“I have a job for you.”
“No, thanks.”
“It wasn’t a fucking request, Rey. Wheels moving in ten minutes. Let’s go.”
Chapter seven
This is going so fucking well—not.
I’m practically pushing Nadia off my lap when I call after Em, his stride’s unhurried but longer compared to my own. True to my word, she doesn’t leave my side while I drag her along with me, catching up with Em at the door to the living area of the warehouse.
Cold air steals the wind from both of our lungs when he rips the door open and cooler air meets us. Ushering us through, it slams behind us, drawing attention from more people within. I swear, everywhere I look there’s ten more faces I’ve never seen before—it’s unsettling being the center of attention, when it’s gang affiliated.
“Glad you had a change of heart. Go sit at the table.”
He heads off, leaving Nadia alone again. She’s tense beside me, her palms sweating against mine when we shuffle together. Nodding to an empty seat, I wait for her to sit down before saying anything; I know she’s upset with me and has every right to be but being pissed off isn’t going to get us out of this any faster.
“I’ll be right over there. Remember when I said not to talk to anyone? This would be the best time for you to pretend like you’re invisible.”
“When we get the hell out of here, you’re taking me straight back to the bonfire. I didn’t ask for this shit, Rey.”
“I know, I know. I’m sorry. I’ll take you wherever you want to go as soon as I can. Just…let me take care of things, okay?”
She drops onto a seat and crosses her arms without saying another word. There’s no one else to blame except me—had I never come here to begin with, I never would have made it onto Em’s radar. It’s my own damn fault and I’m going to beat myself up over it while I’m sitting in this painful meeting I want zero part of.
