Page 20 of Aydin

“David, you play pool?” Nasir probed, and I grunted, gawking at Amelia for another second. The guys liked to fuck with new people, especially when it dealt with the women in our company.

“Not really,” David answered and slid his hands in his pockets. He seemed like a corporate type with his suit and tie, while everybody else was dressed more casual in jeans and t-shirts.

“I need to get going,” I said and placed the pool stick on the table.

“Seriously, we’re in the middle of a game!” Nicco groaned, and I shrugged, stepping around Amelia and her date. Before I could leave, she grabbed my arm to stop me.

“Mr. Reeve,” Amelia spoke slowly, and I turned to face her.

“Yeah.”

“David, can you order me a drink, and I’ll meet you at the table,” she informed her date.

He looked skeptical, then leaned down to kiss her cheek and walked over to the bar, keeping an eye on us.

“I wanted to thank you again for hiring me. I know you probably didn’t want to fight with Molly.” She chuckled.

“Don’t worry about it.”

“Did I do something wrong?”

“No, why do you ask?” I crossed my arms over my chest.

“You just seem standoffish with me. Everyone else has been open and warm to the idea of me working at the firm.”

I narrowed my brows.

“I’m not in the business of throwing parties for new hires.”

She looked taken aback at my answer.

“I don’t expect a party, but a simple good morning would do.” Our eyes locked in a standoff.

“Amelia, are you ready?” Her date approached and held her drink up.

Amelia glanced at the drink and back up to him.

“I’m ready,” she answered, walking around me. Her perfume danced In her wake, causing a reaction I hated to have.

“You should probably try to handle your mood a little better around her before she figures it out.” Nasir tapped me on the arm.

“There’s nothing to figure out, Nasir.”

“Tell that lie to someone who hasn’t worked alongside you for years.” Nasir grinned, and we shook hands. I left to go home and rest before the fundraiser tomorrow.

Sunday.

The band played as guests mingled around and talked amongst themselves. Addison flirted with the men to not only get money, but to make me jealous. Plenty of times, I’d told her that it was a lost cause. I never dated clients, especially ones who were corrupt and would do anything to get their names in the media for good or bad reasons.

“Nicco, check in with the team in the kitchen,” I spoke into my mic, keeping my eyes trained on the crowd growing in size. Addison rented out the grand ballroom at the Peabody Hotel in downtown Memphis. Close to two thousand in attendance, and we made sure to have the front and back entrances covered with our people. The local police required everyone to have ID before coming and going from the hotel, and Wesley coordinated everything on that side.

“Tell me, Addison, is this your date?” an older woman pried into her business, and I kept my ear to the conversation, focusing more on the people entering the ballroom.

“He’s my bodyguard, and his entire team does security work for my family.” Addison leaned into me, and I moved back and cleared my throat.

“Would you excuse me?” I turned and whispered in Nasir’s ear to watch Addison.

“Where are you going?” Addison questioned, grabbing my elbow.

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