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The snickering stopped abruptly. “Yes, sir. Sorry, sir.”
Standing, I paced around the balcony, speaking on the phone as much as I was to Sven. “I want all my buildings and clubs guarded. I want to know everyone who goes in and out. If they’re not employees, I want them to come tome,andI’llquestion them. I want every club, every lab, every entrance and exit watched at all times. I want to know who the fuck isfucking with me.”
The final words were screamed into the phone, and he hastily agreed before hanging up, the phone shattering when I hurled it against the wall. Sven didn’t flinch when I rounded on him. The DJ had turned the volume up on the music slightly as I had roared down the phone, and the patrons knew better than to ask questions or even look at what was going on.
Everyone knew better, except forher.
“Get my men where they’re needed,” I yelled, then pointing over the balcony I added, “And bring methat fucking girl.”
CARA
As he approached me, I glanced at Maddie.
“That’s Sven, one of Emrick’s top guys. Just do what he says.” Her back stiffened, and she looked at the floor. I frowned. What did she think he was going to do toher?Turning, I watched Sven approach. He stopped in front of me, and I found myself wishing I was on the other side of the bar with Maddie and not out in the open where he could grab me. Not that I expected him to, but there was something off about Sven, but I could never put my finger on it. I avoided him at all costs, even more than most people avoided Emrick. His shaved head and as much of his skin as I could see beyond the suit was covered in tattoos of varying colors and styles. He looked like a patchwork of different artists and stories, as though anyone he came across with a tattoo gun he’d let have a go at his skin. I never did like face tattoos. Call it judgmental of me, but honestly, he looked like he’d spent most of his life in prison
Judging by Emrick’s employees, it was entirely possible.
“Boss wants you upstairs.” He grunted at me.
“I’m sorry… what?”
“You heard. Vodka, glasses. Get up there.”
I thought he was going to leave, but he simply crossed his arms over his chest and waited. His brow raised when I didn’t move, and Maddie began loading up a tray, not meeting my eyes while she worked. As she helped me balance the tray, Maddie threw me a significant look but said nothing. A shiver passed up my spine, and I couldn’t tell if it was fear or trepidation. What sort of mood would he be in? Had things not gone well with the man he brought in? Or had they goneexceedinglywell, and he wanted to celebrate? It took all of my willpower not to visibly tremble as I passed Sven, balancing the metal tray on shaking hands as he turned and followed close behind me.
All my nerves were on fire, and I hated it wasn’t only fear. Sure, there was a good measure of that thrown in, but it was also excitement, like I was being invited to some exclusive high-school party and was going to finally get the chance to hang out with the boy I had a crush on. You know the type, the kid with hair that falls in front of his face so he’s constantly flicking it to the side with a jerk of his head. Oh, and he’s so brooding, deep, and intelligent, he makes you giddy.
Yeah, it was incredibly messed upthatI was having this reaction to the situation. I wasn’t stupid. I’d grown up in this city and knew enough to know Emrick wasn’t the sort of man you trusted to get close enough to touch you. But there was electricity between us, and beyond the blackness, I swear there was a softness to his eyes, pain he was stamping down with anger. Anger at what, I didn’t know, but it certainly seemed like the world was paying for whoever had wronged him.
Those eyes had been haunting my dreams since he grabbed me in the kitchen when I first started working here.
While I wasn’t kidding myself enough to think I was somehow special, I did wonder what he could do with his hands.
When I reached the top of the stairs, Sven pushed the door open, and as he closed and locked it behind me with a click, I spun on my heel, my other hand shooting up to steady the tray.
It was only Emrick and me up here, alone.
Warmth flushed between my legs.Aww, hell.
Emrick sat, sunglasses and hoodie on, his chin resting on his fist as he looked out over the balcony. He hadn’t even glanced at me as I came onto the balcony area, but when I didn’t move from near the door, his head slowly turned toward me, and he sat up straighter as though he hadn’t realized I was there.
“Bring the drinks over here.”
There was a darkness to his voice that wasn’t there when he had wanted tochat.He was commanding, curt, and I found myself reacting to it. I was a jumble of nerves, spending every second deciding how I should play this and every moment arguing with myself as to what I should do.
As if I didn’t already know what I was going to do.
But part of me was still fighting this attraction, whatever it was.
Shuffling toward him, I placed the tray on the table and stood again. He simply stared at me, and although I couldn’t see his dark eyes behind the lenses, I knew he was looking right at me. I could almost feel his gaze drilling into me. Clearing my throat when it clicked what he was waiting for, I opened the expensive vodka, pouring a generous serving from the frosted bottle and handing him the glass.
“Pour yourself one,” he said.
His voice was casual again, as though we were friends meeting up for a chat. But it sounded forced, an edge to it, and his fingers drumming on the arm of the chair gave him away.
He was tired of waiting for me.
“I’m working,” I managed to whisper.
