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“Regardless of what I do, you’re still my son.”
Dexen placed his hand on JJ’s arm. “Jordan,” he whispered.
JJ dropped his chin to his chest and shook his head. “Do you really care, or did you bring us here to explain why you have a guard on Romeo?”
“I care. About you both.”
Lifting his head, JJ speared his father with a look. It was one I’d seen Jordan use countless times. JJ wanted nothing to do with his father’s illegal business. I completely understood his point and agreed. I didn’t either. But I also took what Jordan offered. Even though I didn’t know my father, I knew Jordan since the reading of my father’s will.
“Then have one of your guys pour us drinks because we have a long talk ahead of us.”
20
TRISTAN
Even though I’d had some assholes as boyfriends, never had I feared for my life. Yet standing in Jordan Altair Sr.’s living room and watching him threaten one of the men I loved, for a few seconds, I thought we wouldn’t make it out of here.
Jordan sighed and turned away from his son. “Ajax, drinks please.”
Ajax stepped into the light, startling me. I had no idea he was there. He went to the bar on the far wall while Jordan led us to his couches, where he took a seat. JJ, Dexen, and Greer took the opposite couch. We sat on the couch Jordan was on, Romeo sitting closest to him, followed by me, then Dash.
Dash wrapped a protective arm around my waist and pulled me to his side. “Stay close to me, baby,” he whispered in my ear.
I tugged on Romeo’s hand to bring him to us. I wanted to touch them both, to know we were okay.
Ajax handed out drinks, even though no one said what they wanted. I carefully sat mine on the glass coffee table, having zero desire for alcohol. JJ swallowed his down like a shot while Dexen swirled it in the glass before taking a sip. Greer placed his on the table as did Dash. Romeo swallowed his back like JJ had then took mine and did the same with it.
Leaning against the back of the couch, Jordan propped his ankle on his knee and gestured for Romeo to begin. I wasn’t surprised. This was Romeo’s life we were talking about.
Romeo launched into the story of who he was and how he was connected to Jordan. If it wouldn’t have been such a tense situation, it would have been comical how wide the other men’s eyes became. I didn’t recall ever seeing three grown men so openly shocked.
Romeo’s fingers gripped mine tighter the more he spoke. When he was done, he’d had two more drinks and was leaning heavily against me. I didn’t knock him for needing strong liquor to get through it. He was a private person and had to purge his soul.
“Holy shit,” JJ muttered. He focused on his father. “You must have a shit ton of guilt. You didn’t even know Malik had a son. Suddenly, everything changes. You find out at the reading of the will, then inserted yourself into Romeo’s life because you killed his father to save me.”
“Eloquently put,” Jordan stated dryly.
“I’m not trying to be, and you know it. That shit is long past. This is an honest conversation.”
Jordan sighed. “Yes, I have a lot of guilt resting on my shoulders. I loved Malik, but given the choice between you and him, even after what I know now, I would choose you again in a heartbeat.”
“I think that’s as close to a declaration of love as you’re going to get,” Dash said. He had no filter where Jordan was concerned. He said what he wanted, regardless of how angry he made him.
“It makes sense why he hasn’t killed you,” JJ observed. “He won’t do anything else to hurt Romeo.”
“Does that mean I can make smart-ass remarks too?” Greer asked.
“The only reason you’re still breathing is because my son loves you,” Jordan stated harshly.
“Oh, I know there’s no love between you and me.” At least Greer could smile about it.
Romeo turned to put his head on my shoulder. I carded my fingers through his soft hair. He nuzzled closer, his nose brushing my neck. That bit of movement made my dick stir, so I quickly thought about something else. This wasn’t where I wanted to get hard.
“Now what?” Dexen asked. “Am I to expect your guard at my club when Romeo works?”
“No, he’s well taken care of while he’s there. I’ve never questioned your security, Dexen. He has someone on him when he’s not within your building.”
“Since we’re airing secrets,” I began, figuring I had nothing to lose at this point and wanted everything out in the open. “I took a job with Jordan as his stylist.”
