Page 50 of Hartley

“I’m not sure what else to do. I’m not going to put him in a situation that would make him uncomfortable. I don’t openly flirt with him, only try to be there when he needs someone.” He got back on his hands and knees and started scrubbing again. If Jordan didn’t have a security system installed in here and Rory wasn’t standing watch, I’d tell Sheldon to get out the mop and call it done.

“You’re a good man.”

“I’m not, but sometimes I try to be. For all I’ve done and will do in the future, I don’t force men to be with me. When I eventually find someone who loves me as much as Jordan and Vail love you, I’m going to do everything I can to make them happy.”

“I have no doubt you will. And you will find that person.” If it was my brother or not.

I still didn’t know what was going on with Forest. Whether he saw all Sheldon did for him or not. At the moment, I had enough on my plate with Jordan being pissed at me and his guards, and the mysterious note that stayed in my head like someone tattooed the fucking thing on my brain.

All that money my grandfather owed. He knew who he was getting into business with. Had to. But why in the hell were the Everharts down in North Carolina when they had their home base near here? At least I assumed it was near heresince Jordan’s wife had fucked one of them. I doubted she flew south every time she wanted an orgasm and to plot the deaths of her husband and only child.

God, I hated that woman, and I’d never met her. Every time I thought about what she did, I got pissed.

Something suddenly hit me on the back and clattered to the floor. I turned to see a pen lying on the tile near Sheldon’s foot. He obviously didn’t throw it, so I lifted my gaze to Hazel. “What was that for?”

“You were scowling. It sucks that Sheldon is scrubbing the tile, but that doesn’t take away from the pile of orders you have.”

“You’re right.” Hazel was good at keeping me on task, even though it wasn’t her job.

I grabbed the pen from the floor, set it on the table, and returned to work while the sounds of bristles over tile was background noise.

24

VAIL

There was a lot of grumbling on the way to JJ’s house. Lots of Jordan looking out the windows of the SUV, waiting for someone to attack us. We had Albert behind the wheel with Raiden riding up front. Julia and Ava were in the seat behind us. In the SUV in front of us were Sheldon, Reghan and Vincent while in the SUV behind us were Oleander, Barry, Raiden, and Kayli. Jordan wouldn’t let Sheldon and Oleander ride together. It was another part of their punishment. I was surprised Barry was coming with us, but Jordan wanted as many men as he could trust.

I couldn’t wait for it to be over. I hated seeing them miserable and Hartley too. He kept apologizing not only about talking to Lane behind Jordan’s back, but also for saying he’d leave. Jordan still stewed but kept putting his arms around Hartley and telling him it was fine, especially after Hartley said he’d marry us.

Married, or rather we were having a commitment ceremony. Whatever, I didn’t care what term we used. I couldn’tbelieve it. They were going to be mine more than they already were. We had to pick out rings and set a date. Jordan said he wanted people we cared about there and asked if we’d like to have the ceremony on top of his building during sunset over the summer. It sounded wonderful to both Hartley and me.

We decided not to tell many yet. There was still a lot going on that needed to be taken care of with the Everharts. Plus, tonight was for Ava, not us.

“We shouldn’t have left Dremest,” Jordan muttered as he continued to look out the window.

“We’re not that far out of the city,” I reminded him. We weren’t in it, but it wasn’t like we drove for hours once we left the boundary of West Dremest. “Dex, Greer, and JJ would fight alongside you if need be.”

Julia cleared her throat behind us, a good reminder not to speak of violence in front of Ava. I was grateful for Julia. Not only did she watch out for Ava, but she gave us subtle reminders to pay attention to what we said. Sheldon did too. Even though Jordan was pissed at him, Sheldon still looked out for Ava and what was spoken about in her presence. He also wouldn’t hesitate to calm Jordan down if need be.

We pulled into the driveway, letting the guards get out first to walk around the house. The front door to the home swung open and Dexen stepped out, hands on his hips as I opened my door.

“Really, Jordan?” I heard him call. “I’d know if people were nearby with the security system Greer put on the place.”

Jordan slid out of the SUV after me. “You wouldn’t know if there was a sniper with a gun trained on your house from a distance.”

“And your men would?”

“If you don’t think I have more men out there in the surrounding area, you don’t know me like you should.” Hell, I didn’t even know he had more who went ahead of us to make sure the area was safe.

When we were all out of the SUV, Dexen stepped to the side so we could go into his house. Hartley brought in JJ’s suits which Dexen took. Most of the guards would be outside, especially in the back where we were eating. Oleander and Sheldon were told to stay out front, not allowed to socialize. It was on the tip of my tongue to tell Jordan to cut them a break, but if I did that, he might extend the punishment.

Olivia stood from the couch the moment we entered. Val did as well with a scowl in place. I wasn’t very close with him, but I knew him. He was shorter and lean. I didn’t doubt he could fight. He wasn’t Xaiden Dremest’s partner without knowing how to handle himself. Corbin was the gentlest of the trio. He offered us a kind smile and his hand.

“It’s so nice to see you,” he said as his eyes went over all of us. His smile didn’t falter as he got to Jordan, which was good to see. Corbin stepped closer to Ava and held out his hand. “You must be Ava. I’m Corbin Dremest and these are my partners, Val and Xaiden. I’d say not to let them intimidate you, but you live with Jordan, so I bet you’re good at dealing with moody men.” He winked.

I didn’t miss Jordan’s cocked eyebrow.

“It’s nice to meet you too,” Ava said and shook his hand. Her voice was smaller and more hesitant than normal, which I expected. Luckily JJ, Greer, and Dexen were out back now as not to completely overwhelm her. Ava had quite a few people to meet.

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