Page 30 of His Ruthless Obsession

JAZZ

Ilean against the bar, scanning the pulsing crowd as the bass reverberates through my bones. The club's energy is electric tonight - bodies moving in sync, drinks flowing, money changing hands.

But beneath the surface glamour, I catch glimpses of the real operation: Dante by the VIP section, his jacket bulging slightly where his piece sits. Marco near the emergency exit, pretending to check his phone while surveying the room.

"Everything good, Jazz?" Oliver slides behind the bar, stacking fresh glasses.

"Just peachy." I tap my nails against my clipboard. "Though table six needs attention. They've been waving for service for three minutes."

"On it." He hesitates. "The boss called. Said he'll be stopping by later."

My stomach does a little flip. "Thanks for the heads up."

Working for Nerio means living in a constant state of anticipation. Never knowing when he'll materialize, what mood he'll be in, or what games he wants to play. The security he's putin place is both comforting and suffocating - like being wrapped in silk that could turn to steel at any moment.

"Jazz." The low rumble of his voice sends electricity down my spine. I turn to find him standing there in a perfectly tailored charcoal suit, looking dangerous and delicious.

"You're early." I keep my voice neutral, professional.

"My club. My schedule." His eyes rake over me, lingering on the curve of my hip. "Walk with me."

It's not a request. I fall into step beside him as we weave through the crowd. People part automatically, sensing his presence even if they don't know who he is.

"The numbers are up this month," I report, focusing on business. Our interactions here have been limited, and I don't know how else to act. When he comes to the penthouse…it feels different. "Bar revenue especially-"

"I know." He guides me toward his private office with a hand at the small of my back. "That's not why I'm here."

"Care to enlighten me then?"

His lips curve into that predatory smile that makes my pulse race. "Maybe I just wanted to see how my favorite manager is handling things." His thumb traces small circles against my spine.

"You usually check on me at the penthouse," I murmur, not sure why I'm protesting. I want him. The nights he misses, I miss him. But for some reason, I'm still trying to pull back.

Probably because I know better than to trust him with my heart.

"I can check on you wherever you like." We've made it to the VIP section by now and there's a lot of people staring at us. Or at Nerio. He just sighs and says, "I have to go attend to some business but I can take you home after."

I nod, holding back the words I want to say.I'd like that.

He just gives me a grin that feels me with the wrong kind of warmth and stalks off, leaving me staring at him. I quickly compose myself, refocusing on my job.

The night flows smooth as silk until Oliver comes up to me when I'm standing at the bar, package in hand. "This came for you, Jazz."

"Thanks." I reach for the plain brown box, noting the lack of return address. Just my name in blocky letters.

"Want me to open it?"

"I got it." I wave him off, but something makes me pause before tearing into it. The weight feels wrong. The size is unsettling.

I slice through the tape with a pair of scissors, lift the flaps. The smell hits me first – metallic and wrong. Inside lies a silver locket on a delicate chain, crusted with what can only be dried blood. My hands shake as I lift out the note beneath it.

Pretty things break so easily. Just like you will.

"Everything okay?" Marco materializes at my side, probably alerted by Oliver when I seemed uncertain about the package, sharp eyes taking in my expression.

"I-" The word sticks in my throat as I notice something else in the box. It's a picture of me working here at The Vault. My job is no secret, but I didn't know they were watching me here.

Marco crosses the room in two strides, looking over my shoulder. His whole demeanor shifts. "Don't touch anything else." He pulls out his phone. "Boss?" He's calling Nerio? Did he leave the club and I didn't notice? "We've got a situation. Mantiones left Jazz a message." He listens for a moment. "Yeah. It's bad."

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