Page 23 of Jordan

“You miss more meetings than you attend.”

“For a reason. I don’t give a fuck about the others. I go to what’s important.”

“Maybe you should hire someone to attend the meetings in your stead,” he suggested.

I had that with Malik. He would do what I couldn’t, and I could trust him implicitly. Until I couldn’t. Until I had to put a bullet in his head for betraying me.

The taste of honey still lingered on my tongue, pulling me back to Hartley. It was better that I left. Nothing good would have come of it if I’d stayed. I would have gotten in deeper and wouldn’t have been able to let him go.

11

JORDAN

All the cold medicine had initially done was make me feel spacey, though it helped with the cough and a tad with the congestion. I also called my doctor. Alton came over and tested me for the flu. Sure enough, that was what I had. He also gave me an antiviral which was supposed to help.

I wasn’t letting the flu take me down.

A coughing fit began, and I forgot what I was thinking. Fucking post-nasal drip. Fucking flu.

Reghan was there with a glass of water. He’d somehow skipped the illness and wasn’t afraid of getting it from me. When I drank something, it helped with the tickle in my throat. At least I put my slacks and button-down on today. Maybe there was something to Tristan asking me about what I relaxed in at home. I’d told him boxer briefs. I didn’t own sweatpants. If I wanted to relax in my home, I did so barely clothed. That was also when I didn’t have anyone in here. I wasn’t waving my cock around in front of the twins or anyone else who didn’t need to see it.

Latte came running over and stopped to stare at me. Apparently coughing was a reason for alarm and she needed to make sure I was okay. That was the exact time my phone started vibrating with an incoming call.

Romeo’s name appeared on the screen.

“Yes?” I answered, sounding like complete shit.

“Are you sick?”

“No, I smoked eight packs overnight.”

“Sarcasm doesn’t suit you.”

“It does.”

“I just called to check in on my girl.”

Looking at her, Latte sat and peered up at me like she was expecting food. “She saved me from coughing and now wants a reward.”

“Maybe you should call your doctor.”

“I did. I have the flu, and I’m medicated now.”

“I’m sure he told you to rest, but we both know how that will go.” Not well. I didn’t listen to anyone. Except Alton, and only on occasion.

“Sir?” Reghan cut in.

I glanced at him while Romeo started telling me about buying a humidifier and how it would help with the dry air in my home.

“Vail is downstairs,” Reghan said.

I nearly dropped the phone. “Why?”

“Because you need to make sure you’re breathing better,” Romeo stated. “Fuck’s sake, Jordan. I give half a shit about you.”

Sighing, I said, “Not you. I was talking to Reghan. Someone’s here.”

“Okay, but I’m ordering you a humidifier and a thermometer. Actually, Tris is doing it. It will be there this afternoon.”

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