Page 75 of Vail

Hazel wore a grin when I exited the break room.

“What?” I asked.

“How did you not think he had a plane? He’s wealthy as hell.”

“He’s not this super rich guy to me. He’s just Jordan.”

“Just Jordan,” she scoffed. “You go to bed every night with one of the most powerful men in the city.”

“Don’t let him hear you say that. He thinks he’s more powerful than Dexen and Perry.” He probably was. It wasn’t a fact I disputed with him. Then again, it would depend on what his definition of power was. Wealth, scariness, business savvy, the most contacts, how influential, and more. He won for scariness though. Hands down. Dexen could be intimidating when he wanted to. He had nothing on Jordan. And Perry couldn’t hold a candle in that department.

“I’m not scared of him.”

I was about to tell her she was lying but she really wasn’t. She also knew Jordan wouldn’t do anything to her because she worked for me.

Back at my table, I looked over my list of projects and started figuring out what I could reasonably finish before we left for our weekend away. That was why I only suggested two nights. More than that and I’d be severely behind. Once I hired additional staff, then I could hand some of this stuff off to them. Until then, it was on me.

The studio, the client list, I was so happy with how far I’d come. I was pretty damn proud of myself too.

33

JORDAN

Being with Hartley and Vail had me softening more and more. Not with everything. I killed a man this morning after torturing him. The men I loved didn’t need to know that though. When I was with them, I couldn’t stop the vulnerability or the way I did whatever they wanted because they asked me sweetly.

Take the room I was currently standing in. It was one of the meeting rooms I had in my building. In front of me was a therapist I had just hired. Arden was in his late thirties. Being single with no attachments made the decision to choose him easier. If he was hurt or killed, I didn’t want his family’s loss of a father or partner on my conscience. It also helped that he was a member of Dexen’s club. Already vetted went a long way. Although, I dug even deeper. I couldn’t be too careful. Plus, he was willing to work for me, which not many were. The smart ones did. The others were afraid. That was within their right. They lost out on a lot of money though.

“Sign these,” Lana said, sliding the paperwork toward Arden. She was here to make sure he didn’t open his mouth and reveal what was said to him when my men met with him.

“I assured Mr. Altair I would never speak about what was told to me in confidentiality.”

“Great. Sign here.” She pointed to the page where there was also a little red flag directing him where to sign.

Arden sighed but did as she asked. If he thought she was tough, he was in for a rude awakening working for me.

Once the paperwork was done, I asked, “We’re agreed on the hours, correct?”

“Yes, every Saturday, I’ll be here for the full day. If more time is needed, I’ll be able to work that into my schedule in the future. For now, I’m booked during the week.”

I nodded. It was the best I could hope for hiring him when he had his own practice to take care of. “And you understand the nature of what my employees will speak to you about?” In the beginning, no one would talk with him about what they did when they worked for me. This was purely to get them comfortable with Arden, so they could work through their personal demons.

Vail was adamant on having someone my employees could speak with. He didn’t divulge what he’d learned about them, but he didn’t have to. I was already aware of Oleander’s past and how he lost a child. I knew about Sheldon’s as well and his father sitting in prison. They were just the tip of the issues. When I looked at the people I trusted with my life and the lives of those I loved, the guards surrounding us had to be at the top of their game. They had to be on in case a bullet flew, or a crazed ex got too close. At least Gil was fucking dead.

A growl worked up my throat. I hadn’t realized how loud it was until Arden took a measurable step back.

Lana cocked an eyebrow at me. “Did I miss something?”

I waved her off. “Nothing I hadn’t already taken care of.”

“Are you referring to a memory?” Arden asked, curiosity obvious in his tone.

“Don’t,” I bit out. “My employees will speak to you about their lives if they feel comfortable. I’m off-limits. If I need someone to pour my soul out to, I have two men who fill my bed every night.”

“Therapy isn’t for everyone.”

“I didn’t say I’m against it,” I growled. “My point is I’m not going to tell you my sins. You’re not a reverend and I’m not religious. I’ll carry them around until I see fit to let them go. They’re my weight to bear.”

He nodded and parted his lips like he had more to say. One raised eyebrow from me had him pressing his mouth closed. Lana learned that from me. A perfectly timed eyebrow raise could shut people up. Her eyebrow didn’t work on me though.

---