AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I reared back, exhaling slowly. Then I looked away. “The attack wasn’t coincidental.”
“You mean since you had several recently purchased properties torched?”
“Funny how news travels fast.”
“You forget that Drago works directly under me.”
“And you seem to forget who signs your paycheck.”
He rubbed his jaw as he glared at me. “That’s something you won’t let me forget any time soon. Will you? I didn’t do this.”
I cocked my head, studying him. “Fine,” I hissed through clenched teeth. I’d been around enough assholes to know when a man was lying. Tristen wasn’t.
“Jesus, man. Youaredifferent. I’m sorry what I said about her, but it’s like you’re two different people.”
Yeah, tell me something I didn’t already know. “Some people would say I might be changing for the better.”
Fuck.
I’d crossed a line, perhaps more than one. I planted my hands on my hips, pacing the floor, an awkward tension settling in.
“We’ve been friends for a long time. I took a bullet for you once. Remember? That you believe I’d suddenly become a traitor bothers the hell out of me. What is going on? And you need to get that arm looked at.” Tristen kept his tone even, but I sensed he was wired, his anger almost as uncontrollable as mine.
Exhaling, I backed away. “I have a bad feeling there’s something going on behind the scenes.”
“With Jade?”
“Yeah.”
“I don’t have an answer as far as her father. Her birth certificate was blank, but I told my contact that he would scour the ends of the earth and find the answer or else.”
Damn it. “Fuck. Fuck! Call the pilot. I’m not going to wait for us to become the target of another attack, and I’m certain there’ll be one.”
“You care about her. Don’t you?”
I thought about his question and knew I hated the truthful answer. “Yeah, more than I should.” Her presence was starting to become a liability.
“Then you need to find a way to keep your personal life separate from business. I’m not telling you anything you don’t know. The Grassos will retaliate, and I’m going to venture a guess they’ll come at you with both barrels.”
Half laughing, I shot him a look. “I know that, Tristen. I made a calculated decision.”
After a few seconds, he chuckled halfheartedly. “You want them to play their hand.”
Nodding, I took several deep breaths. “The timing is bad, but necessary. Have you confirmed the date of the transaction?”
“Yes, but like you, I don’t trust the Saudis.”
“And we won’t.”
“You’re damn right the timing is bad.” He grunted, giving me a hard look. “Keeping her safe is going to be an issue.”
“She’ll remain at the house.” When I closed my eyes, he sighed. “She’s not what I expected,” I added, uncertain as to why.
“Maybe that’s exactly what you need in your life. She’ll certainly be able to keep you on your toes. And the spark between the two of you is palpable.” He rubbed his jaw again. “And I mean no disrespect here but from the moment you left for Miami, you haven’t had your mind on business. That surprises the hell out of me.”
“Business is all I ever think about.” It’s what had consumed my life since the arrest.
“Not this time. While I understand you have the need to fulfill a vendetta because of shit in the past, be careful how you do it.”
