Page 11 of Courting Danger

Was that meant to be a joke?

Or was Alex truly entertained by the thought of killing his own uncle?

Either way, in this instance, I found I really didn’t care.

Inside the private booth, Alex slid into the seat next to his uncle while I found a position guarding the door. It allowed me to watch the hallway outside, while also keeping an eye on the predator inside.

Nephew and uncle sat in silence, watching the pageant. Time ticked by with neither speaking as several more contestants paraded across the stage. I refused to check my watch, such fidgeting would look unprofessional, but at least twenty minutes must have passed in that same way. It was the quietest and most uncomfortable battle of wills I had ever witnessed.

The pageant announced that they were moving on to the swimsuit portion of the competition when Alex’s uncle finally broke the silence and sighed. “Alex. Whatever you’re here for, just get it over with.”

Having won the standoff, Alex sounded too happy for the situation when he replied. I couldn’t see either of their expressions since I was standing behind the pair, but I could already picture the way Alex’s eyes would glint in the colorful stage lights.

“I assume you’ve heard about my father’s predicament.”

“And your recent promotion. Yes. What about it?”

“I just wanted to check in. Make sure we’re on the same page.”

Alex’s uncle turned to face his nephew, giving me a clear look at his profile. The stage lights created a white line around the edge of his face, making him look like a paper cutout of a person that had been glued onto the scene. “I’m on the same page I’ve always been on. The well-being of this family is my first concern, no matter who claims to be in charge.”

A bright flash of light cut through the shadowed atmosphere as Alex showed his uncle something on his phone. “That’s funny, because I distinctly remember my father deciding to end our collaboration with the Vidales family in the northern warehouse. So, what were you doing there? Did you think, in the chaos of everything happening, I wouldn’t notice. Or did you assume you’d be the one to replace my father and went ahead with your own plans?”

Growling low under his breath, Alex’s uncle knocked the phone away. “That deal with the Vidales would be beneficial for all of us. David only called it off because he’s a coward. It’s no surprise he raised a fag son. You’re even more gutless than your father.”

Standing guard on the other side of the door, I noticed Valente growing tense.

Did the man have an issue with the disrespectful tone, or the reference to Alex’s sexuality?

I really wanted a gun right now. Although I wouldn’t use it in this situation, the weight of a holster on my hip would have provided some stability.

Clicking his tongue like a disappointed schoolteacher, Alex stood and stored his phone back in his pocket. “You can throw around all the insults you want. It doesn’t change which of us is in charge. Now, stop whatever you’re doing with the Vidales family, and I’ll forget this whole thing ever happened.”

As Alex turned to leave, his uncle called after him. “Boy, you clearly don’t know what you’re doing. This isn’t how you make allies.”

With one hand on the doorframe, standing half in the light of the hall, Alex smiled back at his uncle. “If it’s true that our family’s well-being is your first concern, then I shouldn’t have to make you an ally. You should already be one. If you aren’t an ally, then... what are you?”

No response, and Alex didn’t wait around for one. He left without a second look back. The swimsuit competition was over, and thanks to Alex’s distraction, the other man had missed everything.

I hid his inner smile behind a stoic expression as I followed Alex outside.

Once again, a car was already waiting for us. Right before stepping inside, Alex stopped to issue one final order.

“Oh, Valente. Since he’s my bodyguard now, Garrison needs some proper weapons. Take care of that.”

Valente’s eyes narrowed at me and his teeth ground against each other. “Of course.”

Such obvious hatred couldn’t be ignored. It was going to cause a problem sooner or later, but I didn’t have time to worry as Alex pulled me into the car.

The door closed behind us, and we were alone again.

CHAPTER 7

Alex

I was silent for most of the car ride. My expression remained impassive, but my hand gripped tight to the handle of the knife in my pocket. Luckily Garrison seemed to sense the tension and watched the view beyond the window without a word.

Closing my eyes, I counted my breaths.

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