Page 25 of Savage

“I’m aware. You don’t think I’ve told myself the same thing over and over again? I don’t know what it is about this guy. Maybe the fact he seems so…out of place here?”

“And you thought you’d, what? Break him in to the seedier side of New York?”

“Gee, thanks, fucker.”

“You’re the one acting like a stalker.”

“Whatever.” I downed another shot and slumped back in my seat. “It’s over now. Tonight was it.”

“Yes, because if you weren’t jonesing for the guy before you had your dick in him, you definitely won’t be now.”

“Remind me again why we’re friends.”

“I know all your secrets?”

He did now.

“Right?” Alessio said. “Thisisthe only thing you’re keeping from me? Because I can’t help you if I don’t know.”

“Because you were such a help the other night?”

He picked up one of the last two shots and slid the other to me. “You and I both know the only person who comes before us is?—”

“King.”

“Right. So stop busting my balls over that and drink your fucking shot.”

We both downed the fiery liquid in one gulp, slamming the glasses onto the table.

“And one last thing,” Alessio added. “If you plan to start stalking your little misfit?—”

“Boy Scout.”

“Huh?”

“Nothing.”

“Make sure you check in with me. Last thing I need is for you to wind up dead on my watch.”

“Such agoodfriend.” I snorted, ran a hand through my hair, and froze.

Oh fuck. Fuck…

I shoved my hand in my pocket for my gloves, and that was when I realized I’d left one of the damn things at Cooper’s. When I entered the club, my head had been so jumbled that I didn’t even realize I’d only taken one off.

Goddamn it.

11

COOPER

THE DOOR TO the deli flew open, and Hannah rushed inside, her tangle of long black hair sweeping around her from the wind. She brushed it back from her face as she scanned the small restaurant and gave me an apologetic smile.

“Sorry, sorry, sorry.” She leaned down to greet me with an air kiss, then tossed her shopping bags onto an empty chair before taking the one opposite me. “My boss decided she didn’t want the Stuart Weitzman boots, she wanted the Bottega Venetas, so I had to haul ass to their boutique, which is all the way on the Upper East Side, andthenon the way back some dickhead decided it would be fun to hold the doors on the five train, which meant security had to get involved, and it was a whole thing.” She paused and took a sip of the water I’d gotten for her then let out a heavy breath. “Anyway, sorry I’m late.”

I chuckled at her frazzled state. “It’s fine. I know how bosses can be.”

“You’re not kidding. I mean, I’m grateful for the job, I just thought being executive assistant to a stylist meant I’d be sitting in on all the fashion, not fetching it.”

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