Page 52 of Lawbreaker

“I can always retake the course if I have to, Dad,” he added. “It’s no big deal. I went to this great party last night. We didn’t get home until after four.”

“Oh.” He took a breath. “I thought you said there were some underworld types at that bar where you and your buddies hang out,” he added.

“Yeah. They’re always talking about stuff they get into. They’ve got some really hot girls they hang out with, too.”

It didn’t occur to him that real underworld types wouldn’t be advertising it at a public venue.

“I see,” he murmured, his mind still on the fiasco his employee had unleashed. Now Garza knew he was trying to pin some stuff on him. It wasn’t going to help his situation.

“I’m going back to sleep. Talk to you later, Dad.”

“Are you coming home this weekend?” he asked.

“Maybe next weekend. There’s this great party...”

“I see,” he said again.

“Bye.” The boy hung up.

James sat down heavily in his chair. It had been one lousy day.

The ballet was gorgeous. Rudy tried to put his arm around Odalie, but she removed it with a blithe smile and he got the idea.

Tony, watching from rows behind them, was doing a slow burn while his mistress played solitaire on her smartphone—minus the sound effects that he’d had to remind her to turn off before they were barbequed by the patrons around them. Glares didn’t slow her down. She didn’t even notice.

He wondered why he’d even had this idea. He loved the ballet, but he usually went during the season. It was just that Balanchine’s choreography was his favorite, and he’d looked forward to this. He hadn’t realized that Odalie would be here, although he knew she loved the ballet. Stasia had told him once thatSwan Lakewas one of her favorites.

He was glad that he’d come now. He’d have a chance to tell Rudy to keep his eyes off Odalie. He’d find some logical excuse that wouldn’t sound as if he was burning with jealousy.

At least she could see through Rudy. It had made him feel good when she removed Rudy’s arm from her shoulders. She wasn’t attracted to the man. Not that it mattered to him. He was only protecting his own turf. Rudy didn’t need to mix himself up in the Everetts’ situations. He was an outsider, and he was going to remain one.

He tried to picture Rudy on Cole’s ranch trying to keep up with the cowboys during any sort of roundup.

Rudy was a city boy from the floor up. He’d never fit in. Tony, on the other hand, had fit in very well. He liked Odalie’s relatives.

Beside him, Mauve was yawning pointedly. He groaned inwardly. This had turned into an ordeal.

Ben drove Tony and Mauve to a coffee shop down the street from the Met while Tony waited for Rudy to join them. He’d remarked pointedly in a text that he’d expect him as soon as he got out of the building.

Rudy came sauntering up as soon as Tony had ordered their cappuccinos. He paused and ordered one for himself with a pastry before joining them at the table.

“Hi, Rudy,” Mauve drawled. “That was a gorgeous girl you had with you.”

“Thanks,” Rudy said, intercepting Tony’s quick and covert shake of the head.

“Ben, take Mauve home and come back for me,” Tony told his driver.

“Sure thing, boss,” he said.

“But I haven’t finished my coffee...” Mauve protested.

“You can have another one next time we go out,” he promised.

Ben was already hustling her out the door to the limo.

“Well, that’s one way to get rid of a date,” Rudy chuckled as Ben drove off.

“Works every time. What did you hear?” he asked.

---