Page 12 of Barrett

Reghan stepped closer, getting right in my face. I could smell the mint on his breath and saw the sheen on his lips like he’d just licked them. What I wouldn’t give to taste them. It didn’t matter how many times we argued, how much he couldn’t stand to be near me, or the words he’d said; my body got sucked into his orbit and didn’t try to break free.

He spoke low. “You think I don’t know the game you play with me? How you enjoy seeing how far you can push me?’

“Oh, I know you’re aware. That’s what makes it exciting.” My smile was still firmly in place.

“If we weren’t standing in the fucking lobby, I’d have my hand around your throat.”

“Is that supposed to be a threat, or is this foreplay?” Maybe it was both. My knees almost buckled.

The sound of shoes on the expensive floor slowly approached. The only time Jordan ran was when someone he loved was in danger. Outside of that, he assessed every situation, no matter how small, with the eyes of a man who had years of honing his ability to not give a fuck, at least on the outside. Inside, well, he probably wished I wasn’t standing in front of one of his best guards.

I turned and gave him my smile, noting Raiden at his back. “Jordan.” I nodded. “I didn’t think you’d be here.”

“At my own company?” He stopped before me, his charcoal-gray suit tailored to his body, thanks to his talented partner, Hartley. “What are the odds?” he deadpanned.

“Well, this is one of many companies you own. If you have a moment, I’m investigating a case and would appreciate access to your security footage.”

His short beard moved slightly, indicating he was clenching his jaw. Without looking over his shoulder, he said, “Raiden, find us a secure room.”

“Yes, sir.” Raiden left to approach the front desk and lean over it to talk to the woman behind it.

I clasped my hands behind my back and rocked on my heels, not bothering with small talk. Jordan wasn’t the type I did that with. Nor did I tease him most of the time.

Raiden returned and gestured for us to walk toward the elevator. We rode it to the top, where I assumed Jordan’s office was. He didn’t work here for the day-to-day operations, but he still had a substantial office, which we strode past to get to the executive conference room. Here or not, Jordan needed his employees to remember who was in charge.

The door shut once the three of us were inside, Raiden staying outside to keep guard.

“This is some fancy shit,” I said, coasting my hand over a leather chair. The plaque on the door read “executive,” so I figured it would be nice, but this was butter-soft leather.

“Sit,” Jordan commanded.

I did, not in the mood to fight with him. It wasn’t as fun as it was with Reghan.

Jordan sat across from me, and Reghan leaned against the wall. “Talk.”

“Are you aware of the men disappearing from both sides of Dremest?” All that separated the city was a creek and a small bridge. Each side was night and day, clearly run by different people, and I didn’t mean in the government.

Dexen Dremest and his family ran the western side along with Jordan’s nephew, Perry Altair Jr. The eastern side belonged to the pissed-off man in front of me. He really hated it when I interrupted his day.

Jordan leaned forward, his forearms resting on the table. “Tell me.”

It was easy to verbalize the information I had so far. I had no qualms about telling Jordan. We’d known each other for a while now, me as a cop, then a detective, and him as he is now, more powerful today than ever.

We’d formed our relationship over threats and the mutual desire to improve the city. Of course, money changed hands. Jordan had more than he knew what to do with, while I could use it to put aside for my brother.

We had a relationship that worked for both of us. It was an understanding where we didn’t stab each other in the back, though we were still very aware it could happen at any point. I was under no illusion Jordan was a good man. I’d seen him kill people without hesitation, but he was more than a killer. He cared deeply about those around him. Not me, but others.

“How many?” he asked when I finished telling him.

“Ten so far. Six from West Dremest, four from here.”

“Goddammit,” he bit out and fisted his hands on the table. “I’ll get my people on it and have them fan out across the city. If you give me the exact locations where they were last seen, I’ll also have those investigated.”

I nodded and told them where they were. The four on this side, that was. Jordan didn’t have nearly the same pull on the other side of the city. Besides, if we could figure it out here, it would benefit both.

6

REGHAN

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