Page 30 of Jordan

“Between us, Mr. Altair doesn’t handle guilt well. He feels responsible for you being sick and wants to make amends.”

I sighed. There was no winning this one, which I already knew. My packed bag was proof of it. Reghan took my and Tahoe’s things out to the SUV while I grabbed the leash and got Tahoe ready for a ride. He was so excited any time I mentioned taking him with me in my truck. I used to have a luxury sedan, but once I left my job in finance, I didn’t want to drive it any longer. Tahoe fit much better in a pickup.

With my coat on, I scooped up my phone, wallet, and keys, and headed out the door, making sure to turn on the alarm and lock the door on the way out. The alarm I didn’t want to have but did because of my ex. One day I wanted to feel safe again, like Gil wasn’t going to come for me and drag me back into the hell I once lived through.

Tahoe jumped into the back seat of the SUV, ready to go, his tail wagging, and beating against the seat. I shut him in and took the front passenger seat. Tahoe’s big head was between Reghan and me as he looked out the windshield. Reghan chuckled, giving him a pet before putting the SUV in reverse to leave.

The drive through the city wasn’t short. It was almost noon on a Wednesday. People were grabbing food, running errands, and taking advantage of their lunch hour. I lived in a part of West Dremest where it was a little quieter due to it being residential. We were driving through the business district, with people walking everywhere and traffic backing up at each light.

Before long, we crossed the creek that separated the city and were firmly in Jordan’s territory. I didn’t mind it like I used to. Now that I kind of knew him, I wasn’t afraid of him. Jordan was just a man like I was. Sure, he had way more money and power, but he still had to eat and shit like the rest of us.

Reghan handled the traffic like a pro, going down a few side streets to avoid the thick of it. We arrived at Jordan’s building, one of them anyway, pulling into the garage below.

Reghan called two guards over when he exited the Lincoln to help carry things. I wanted to keep my bag and my dog with me. One of them cocked an eyebrow at me, but Reghan told him to leave it. Honestly, I didn’t own a gun. I probably should have, given my situation. The idea of one in my hand didn’t sit well with me. I wasn’t a fighter or someone who felt the need to always protect myself. Yes, I knew how that sounded. After having the shit beat out of me repeatedly, I should know better. But I’d lived through a lot. I didn’t want killing someone on my conscience, no matter how horrible they were.

So, I rescued Tahoe from a shelter, who turned out to be more of a lover than a protector, though he didn’t like Gil. And I had the alarm system in my house now, thanks to Greer, who was a tech genius. It helped me feel more protected after the last time Gil showed up.

But Jordan’s building… There was nothing like it. I didn’t worry here. There was no way Gil would get inside. If he did, they’d handle him. Jordan hadn’t been taken down yet. My asshole ex wasn’t going to do the job. I didn’t doubt Gil kept tabs on me. Maybe he knew I was here, maybe not. Either way, one thing was certain. Jordan wouldn’t let him near me.

Dexen had done a thorough background check on me before I started working at his club. Jordan probably did the same. I wouldn’t hold it against him if he did. A man like him had to cover his bases. He was inviting me into his home for who knew how long. He’d find out I didn’t own or use a gun. There were none registered to me. I wasn’t someone who typically went outside the law. Not that it helped me when I needed Gil locked up.

The elevator took us to the top floor. Tahoe was skittish, not liking the movement. My hand stayed on top of his head, soothing him the best I could. When the elevator doors opened, he tried to rush out. Luckily, I had a firm grip on his leash.

Jordan was there to greet me with his usual indifferent look on his face and his suit covering him. His eyes never left mine, not to look at Tahoe, or to Reghan, who carried some of our things.

A cough drew my attention to the living room where a man sat. I had to do a double take. Was it really him? I hadn’t seen him in years. He’d really grown up, but I still recognized him.

My mouth dropped open. “Hartley?”

He turned to fully face me. “Vail?”

14

HARTLEY

Happy birthday to me. I was too sick to celebrate or even bring it up to Jordan, but oh my god. I couldn’t believe who was standing in Jordan’s home. I didn’t know he still lived in the city.

“Vail?”

“I haven’t seen you in?—”

“Years, many years.”

“Holy shit.”

Vail, the man I had crushed on during my teen years. I put him behind me when I went to college, knowing he’d never be interested in me. Why would he? He was ten years older.

And oh, was he even hotter than the last time I saw him. He was older, with scruff along his jaw. His light blue eyes were just as I remembered them, like the clearest summer day. The piercings were new though. It made me wonder what else he had on his body I didn’t and wasn’t privy to know about.

Memories of him being at our house when we were younger came to mind. My brother was Vail’s best friend. Vail quickly became part of our family. It also made me even angrier at my brother. He was smart as hell, yet he was no doubt drunk and passed out somewhere, letting his life go to shit.

“How’s Forest?” Vail asked. They fell out of touch when Vail started dating Gil. I wondered if they were still together. I hadn’t heard anything about Vail in so long.

“You’ll have to call him to ask. Last I heard from him, he was drunk and had no intention of being sober. Our grandfather passed.”

He took a step toward me, then another. He kept walking until he laid his hand on my arm where I sat on the couch. The touch burned through my shirt, igniting long ago feelings. “I’m so sorry, Hart.”

“Me too. Forest took it the worst. He hasn’t been the same since.”

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