Page 66 of The Price of Forever

Full-time? Doing what? I bit angrily into my sandwich, trying to piece together what was unfolding in front of me without looking like the ignoramus left in the dark. Because that’s what I clearly was—left behind. Out of the loop. The only one who didn’t fucking know what was going on.

“How long does the trial period last?” I asked as casually as I could muster.

“Until it’s clear if I’m a good fit to work with him.”

There was even more I didn’t know. This wasn’t a one-off replacement guard who I’d meet once and never see again. This was a whole organized effort. How could Seven keep this from me? Not only was I jealous that he was going out on a date with some unknown woman who was probably desperate to spread her legs for him—because who wouldn’t be?—now I was also hurt because Seven had been keeping his whole entire life from me—including some mysterious expansion that he needed a second guard for.

And here I was, the idiot opening up to him. Sharing my heart with him, wanting to get closer. The hurt lashed so deeply that I almost couldn’t see straight. I focused on eating my sandwich for a few moments, trying to calm the inner storm.

“So do you know where Seven’s heading tonight?” I tried to sound relaxed, but I suspected even the new guy could hear the strain in my voice.

“He didn’t say exactly where,” Chico said diplomatically. “But if we need him for anything, I’m sure we’ll be able to get ahold of him.”

“Hm.” I took another bite, my mind working overtime. It was Sunday—not exactly prime date night, but in a city that never slept, any day was as good as another for dating.

My mind raced as I pieced together a plan. Seven wouldn’t tell me his whereabouts, and neither would Chico. But I bet someone else would.

And once I found out where that place was, well, it seemed like the perfect night for a date of my own.

“It’s kind of silly for someone with such extensive training as yourself to be stuck babysitting, don’t you think?” I glanced up at Chico, drawing invisible patterns over the countertop with my finger. “I mean, that’s pretty much what this is. You’re just being my babysitter tonight.”

“Well, I’d call it more than babysitting.” He offered a warm smile. “You’re an important person who needs protected.”

“Sure.” I gnawed on the inside of my lip as I weighed my next words. “But what if we…I don’t know…did something?”

Chico’s brows drew together. “Like what?”

“Well, it’s my off night, and I usually don’t do much, but after the nap I had, I’m going stir-crazy.” My heart thumped as I wondered if he’d see through my plan.

He shrugged. “Whatever you want. I’m here to make sure you’re safe, whatever it is that you need to do.”

I flashed him a pretty smile. “Love to hear it, Chico. You’re rapidly becoming my favorite guy around here. And so cute, too. Let me go get ready and we can head out, ‘kay?”

I could have sworn a little blush stained his cheeks as I winked at him. I knew how to work the crowd so he wouldn’t suspect what this was really about.

I drifted off to my bedroom, ready to enact the next pieces of my plan. I started with a quick text to Roxie: Girl are you up for an impromptu girls night? I have a plan and I need help…

Then, I tapped the resource I knew would be most willing to help me: my brothers.

I was aware of how underhanded this seemed. I didn’t want to play the I’m you’re wittle sister card, but I needed this intel about Seven more than I needed air. If anybody could squeeze the needed info out of Seven, it was his fucking employers.

I shot off a quick text to Damian:

JORDAN: Hey, random Q, but…is there any way you could reach out to Seven and ask him where he’s at tonight? He’s on a much-deserved night off and I want to send him a little surprise as a thank you. But he can’t know I’m asking!!! I just need the address. Can you help me??

Damian didn’t know my surprise would be me, in a skintight little black dress, ready to crash whatever date Seven thought he was going on.

Damian’s response was lightning fast: On it, little sis. Hang tight.

Roxie’s response came next: Girl I was just wanting to text you about going out but thought better of it because it’s Sunday LOL. Where we going and what’s the scoop?

Everything was falling into place.

Everything except the biggest piece of the puzzle: the irrepressible truth of my attraction to Seven.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

JORDAN

---