Page 65 of The Price of Forever

Seven was going on a date.

He was going out to meet a woman, and I couldn’t fucking stand the idea.

My brain whirred so loudly I barely noticed when Seven opened the door and warmly greeted the replacement. I missed his name entirely, finally remembering to yank myself back to the present when a tall, youngish-looking guy was suddenly in front of me, offering me his hand.

“I’m Chico. Nice to meet you, Jordan.”

I blinked at his hand, and then took it quickly. With almost jet back hair, longish and parted on the side, he looked like Seven’s younger, unrefined brother. Hardly the type to yank someone like Dustin off me during an attack at three a.m.

“So you’re the replacement?” I asked.

Chico laughed softly, shoving his hands into his pockets. “I am. I’m looking forward to working with you.”

“What are your qualifications?” I snapped.

“He’s been vetted,” Seven interjected, stepping forward. Next to Chico, Seven loomed. Chico was probably six feet tall or close, but next to Seven’s bulky girth and massive biceps, he looked like a teenager.

“Four years active duty, army,” Chico said, undeterred. “Two years reserve, four years working in the personal protection business in the Maryland area. I can provide a list of former clients if interested.”

“Do you have a gun on you?” I crossed my arms.

“No, ma’am,” Chico replied.

“I asked him not to pack,” Seven offered. “Here in the apartment, for my quick night out, you two will be fine. Besides, he’ll be briefed on the necessary information, in the event that an emergency response is required.”

I had no more hard-hitting questions to ask Chico that wouldn’t reveal the jealous rift in my heart growing larger by the second. So instead, I turned my attention to Seven. “Where are you going?”

“Out.”

I sniffed. “What does that mean?”

“It means I’m going out, Jordan. I’m having dinner with someone.” He sent me a warning look, then shifted his gaze to Chico, tipping his head to the side. “Chico, come with me. I’ll show you around.”

Someone. Code for another woman, no doubt. I glared at Seven’s back as he led Chico toward the hallway. Seven was perfectly within his rights to take a night off or go do something away from me. But with another woman? I swallowed the bitter tang of jealousy. I needed a game plan—I just didn’t know what it would be.

I made myself a quick sandwich while Chico and Seven had their little talk in the back.

When they emerged, Seven was peering at his watch. “All right, I better head out.” My stomach twisted. “You two take it easy. Order in if you want. Usually this is a rest day for her anyway after the club shifts all weekend.”

I frowned. Him explaining my schedule to this man-child—who was probably close to my own age but still, I refused to see Chico as anything other than a boy right now—grated on me.

“Sounds good. I think we can take it from here,” Chico said confidently.

“Awesome. I’ll see you guys later.” Seven sent a quick smile toward Chico and reached for a khaki sport coat that he’d draped over the back of the armchair. He slipped it on as he strode to the door, pausing on his way to lean toward me and say, “I need you to behave.”

I whipped around to stare him in the eye. “What could that possibly mean?”

“Just be nice,” he said in a low voice. “Don’t scare the talent away.”

He bridged the remaining distance to the door, and I followed him. “The talent? I don’t understand what you’re talking about. Are you starting a business or something?”

He sent me a stern look and pulled open the door, walking through without answering my damn question. “Be good.” When the door thudded shut behind him, I expelled a sigh. This felt wrong, and I hated that I couldn’t fully explain why.

All I knew was that it violated the strange code of conduct Seven and I had established.

“So he’s your boss, huh?” I asked Chico, resuming my previous task in the kitchen: eating my damn sandwich. Except now it was flavorless and dull. I wanted to be anywhere other than here right now.

“Sure is.” He came to the island, an easygoing grin on his face. “I’m still in the trial period with him, but I hope to be full-time by the end of it.”

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