Page 16 of Chasing Storm

“Please let me see Joey, and I’ll do whatever you want.”

His eyebrows rise. “Whatever I want? That’s a loaded statement.”

Down the hall, someone is banging on a door, and then I hear Joey shout, “Let me the fuck out of here now!”

Elijah gestures to one of his men, who disappears. The banging stops, and several people head our way. When Joey enters the room, I run to him and he embraces me, whispering everything will be okay.

I pull away and reach for his head, but he takes my hand in his and says, “I’m fine, Tea.”

He glares over my shoulder, so I turn to find Elijah standing behind me.

Elijah gestures to the seating area. “Why don’t you two make yourselves at home?”

Joey’s eyes haven’t shifted from Elijah, and he steps toward him with his fists ready to make contact. Several of Elijah’s men move closer, but he holds his hand up and they back away.

My hands press against Joey’s chest, asking him not to hit him.

Elijah smiles. “Listen to your wife, Joe. This isn’t a street fight, and you won’t get close enough before my guys plant your face into the floor.”

Joey’s chest presses against my hands, but I plead with him to calm down. Finally, his eyes shift to mine, and I give him a small smile. My fingers intertwine into his and I guide him to the couch, where we sit close to one another.

I hear glasses clinking, liquid pouring, and over Joey’s shoulder, Elijah hands him a drink. Without arguing or turning around, he takes the glass, downs the drink, and hands it back to Elijah. He pours them both another, sits in the chair, sliding the other glass to Joey.

Elijah eyes us and says to Joey, “I guess someone has it out for you.”

Joey’s arm curls over my shoulders, tugging me close, and he takes a sip of his drink. Elijah unbuttons his suit jacket, getting comfortable in the chair.

He lets out a heavy sigh, and while holding his glass, he points his pinky at us. “I saved your ass today.”

Our heads whip toward him, and Joey says, “Saved our ass? Is smashing the butt of a gun into my skull your way of saving our asses?”

Elijah lets out a half-hearted laugh, jabbing his finger toward Joey. “That was for your hot headedness.”

He waves over a woman from the kitchen and says to her, “Rita, could you please bring out a platter of finger food with some plates?”

She bows. “Yes, Mr. Devane. Is there anything in particular you’d like?”

“I’ll leave that up to you.”

Rita returns to the kitchen, and Elijah addresses us. “A couple of New York gang members had been trailing you since Central Park. My men contacted me, and I derailed the gang’s pursuit, and then caught up to you.”

Joey sneers at Elijah. “Well, thanks for the theatrics and the fucking killer headache. I appreciate it.” He stands and adds, “So, if that’s all you needed to say—”

“Sit your ass back down, Joe, or you’re going to have more than just a fucking headache.”

His jaw clenches while he’s back on the couch at my side.

Elijah leans forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “Now, get rid of the attitude, so I can continue.”

I take Joey’s hand and say, “We’re listening.”

My response draws a smile from Elijah, one that can melt the hearts of any breathing woman, which only causes Joey to tense. I look at Joey, snuggle closer, and kiss his bicep.

Elijah laughs at Joey’s response, and says, “Careful Joe, or you’ll bust a nut.” We all settle into our seats, and he continues. “As of now, no one knows where you are.”

Joey shoots back, “Which makes killing us easier for you.”

This garners a grimace from Elijah. “If I was going to kill you, asshole, you wouldn’t be sitting in my penthouse.”

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