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“I’m fine, Derri’s here. Besides, they’re not gonna kill me, they want my business. I just need you two to not be here for a while. This is hard for you.” He gazed pointedly at Vince because he knew how much the cop in him wanted to do something. “And especially for Scotty, so go take a break. Walk the boardwalk, get something to eat. Please.”
Vince held his stare for a while, then finally nodded angrily. “Fine, but we’re not gonna be long. And if they hurt you, I will find a way to make them pay.”
“I know you will.” Zander kissed him, ignoring the others in the room. He placed a kiss on Scotty’s lips. “Go with Vince. I’ll be here when you get back.” He pecked Scotty again, releasing him reluctantly.
When both Vince and Scotty stood, Zander did too. “They’re going outside for a breather,” he told the others, who were watching them way too avidly.
“Not by themselves they’re not.” Dima turned and yanked the door open. A woman strode into view; she was gorgeous, with long dark hair and a tight black dress showing off dangerous curves. “Sylvie, our guests need some time away. Escort them wherever they need to go.”
“They don’t need an escort.”
Dima glared at Zander as if he’d lost his mind. “They’re in my territory, so yes, they do.”
Zander rolled his eyes. “Just make sure nothing happens to them”—he looked first at Dima then at the woman, Sylvie—“and we won’t have no problems.”
Sylvie’s lips curved in the smallest smile, but she didn’t speak, just waited as Scotty and Vince made their way to the door, looking back at Zander. He gave them a nod, releasing a breath when the door closed behind them.
Silence filled the room and he frowned when he took in the way everyone was staring at him. “What?”
“So. Two of them, huh?” Dima cocked his head. “How does that work?”
Reggie barked a laugh. “I know you’re not asking that.”
“I mean, I know the mechanics,” Dima responded. “But an actual relationship with two of them? Shit.”
“Can we not?” Why the fuck were they discussing his love life? “Let’s talk business so I can take my people and get the hell outta here.”
“You don’t have to run off so quickly. We’ll be out of your hair once we iron this deal out, but the three of you can stay here for however long you want.” Dima winked. “Everything you need is upstairs. Just know, you’re not the first and you won’t be the last.”
What the fuck did that last part mean?
It didn’t take long to get the deal in place with Dima and Israel. Zander hated that he’d been backed into a corner, but they were the lesser of all the evils and if he put his ego aside, he could admit that going into partnership with them was a solid business move. Still, no one was left completely happy once everything was all said and done. Each side had to give up shit they didn’t want to, but Zander was fine with that. One of his non-negotiables was the other side removing whoever they had inside his camp acting as snitch before Zander got to them.
None of them got exactly what they wanted.
But it was done.
They’d vacated the penthouse quickly too—Toro hugging him goodbye, Dima throwing him a wink, and Israel just watching him, expression stoic. Now, Zander stood in the empty place with Derri, waiting for Vince and Scotty to return. They’d been gone for a while now and he was trying not to show his anxiety at their absence, but he didn’t think he was doing a good enough job.
“So, that’s it, huh?” Derri’s question pierced the heavy silence. “Just like that. All they had to do was threaten your men and you gave them what they wanted.”
He scrubbed a hand over his face. He didn’t want to have to fight with Derri, not again and not now. Because it wouldn’t be a fight. He would just shoot the other man in the face and call it a day. He was fucking exhausted. He was hungry, and he needed to put eyes on Vince and Scotty more than he needed to take his next breath.
But here Derri was, once again, with jealousy and bitterness ringing in his voice. “You’re ignoring me?” He scoffed. “Wow, I can’t believe?—”
“When was the last time you got some ass?” Zander asked softly. “I suggest you get on that. Find somebody to nut in so you can clear your mind and think straight because you’re too invested in my life.” He stepped closer to the other man, staring him dead in the eye. “The next time you bring up those two men, I’m shooting you. In the face.”
Hurt darkened Derri’s eyes before he blinked and all Zander saw was anger. “They’ve got you out here doing shit you would never otherwise do, but when I call you on it, I’m the bad guy?”
Zander sighed. “No, Derri. You’re not the bad guy, you’re the scorned, jealous ex. Or at least, that’s the role you’ve chosen to take on and I gotta say, I hate that for you. But just know, if that’s what you’re on?” He shrugged. “I got no place for you in my life, in my business. Because then it means I can’t trust you.” He stepped in even closer, lowering his voice. “And I’m sure you remember how I deal with people I don’t trust.” He didn’t give a fuck how he used to feel about Derri. That shit didn’t factor in when it came to protecting himself and those he loved. Derri used to be one of those people but if he kept up with the attitude and the questioning, that motherfucker could rot in the grave Zander would drop him in.
Derri stared at him, expression sullen, flared nostrils giving away his anger.
Zander stepped back. “We head out in the morning. If you choose to return with me, I would love that. If you don’t, then it would suck…for you.” The door opened then, Scotty entering first with a little color on his cheeks.
“We brought you food.” He held up the bag of food in his hand.
Vince was right behind him and Zander watched Vince’s gaze dart around, cataloging the scene before he took Scotty’s hand, leading him past. Vince murmured in Scotty’s ear and Scotty placed the food down on a nearby table before the men climbed the stairs and disappeared.
