Page 87 of Barrett

EPILOGUE

BARRETT

A Week Later

“You want me to do what?”

“You’ll be my moral compass,” Jordan said. “You’ll go out into the public and do community outreach. People like you. You’re less intimidating than the twins.” I glanced at Reghan, who shrugged.

“Sheldon would have been better.” Why did I say that? Even I didn’t believe it. Sure, he was calm, and getting him riled up was a feat. He was deadly though. I’d witnessed him poison people repeatedly.

“Think about what you just said.” Jordan was being extremely patient with me, which was unsettling. Although, since moving in with Reghan, I’d learned just how soft Jordan could be. His words, not mine. I’d never say them to his face. He’d slit my throat if I did.

“I thought I would be out in the field with you and the guards. I’m a hell of a shot.”

“I’m not disputing that. I want you to do both, but your involvement with my daily activities will be reserved for when I really need you. I want you to be the face of my organization and get me more positive press.”

“You want me to be a mafia PR person? That’s weird as hell.”

Jordan sighed and tipped his head back where he sat behind his desk. “You’ll have two jobs. With me when big shit is going down, and in the community so I can better serve the people there. Writing checks only gets me so far. I need feet on the ground. I need you talking to them, finding out what they need and what I can do to help. People will respond to you better. You’re used to being out on the streets.”

“I’m not sure you fully understand what I did." I also didn’t think he gave a shit.

“It’s either this or you can help Barry with security management,” he growled as his gaze pierced mine. He only threw that out there because he knew I wouldn’t take it.

“Fine,” I mumbled. At least he was giving me a job that would pay way more than I used to make. Plus, I didn’t have rent. I lived with Reghan.

My brother had taken quickly to living here. He was relieved when I told him I was moving in. Marshall didn’t want to leave. He had his own apartment on the same floor as Sheldon. Jordan charged him a very small rent since Marshall insisted on paying. Marshall was also in the process of creating art for a bunch of the guards. Once they saw how talented he was, they all wanted a painting.

“Your first project will be checking in with the men who’d been kidnapped,” Jordan said. “I want to make sure they have everything they need.”

That wouldn't be difficult to do. I still talked to Noah regularly. He was slowly healing and working with Arden to cope with the trauma he suffered. He also reclaimed his identity, thanks to Lawson. After a lot of digging, Lawson found his records and restored them. Noah was so excited he wanted to thank Lawson in person, which wasn’t possible. Lawson was rarely here and when he was, I’d heard he snuck in at times when very few would see him.

“Anything else?” I couldn’t help the bit of smart-ass attitude I injected into my tone.

He cocked an eyebrow and leaned forward, his forearms on the desk. Not a word was said. He was waiting.

“Oh my god. I really don’t want to regret working for you during our first meeting. I was hoping to do more of what Reghan does. And yeah, you said I’d do some, but the majority of my job will be in the community.”

“I’m going to give you an example. I want you to really fucking listen to me, Barrett. No smart mouth, no having to interrupt. Just close your goddamn lips and hear what I’m saying,” he growled.

I pressed my lips together, taking his warning seriously. I’d learn my lesson with him eventually. That wasn’t to say I didn’t fear him. I did.

“Let’s say you’re with me when I meet with one of my gun buyers. You, the twins, Sheldon, who the hell ever. It doesn’t go as planned. Someone dies, not on my team or me. There’s a witness who flees. We chase them into a crowded area. Sure, my men will be noticed, but you will be more so. Your photo was all over the media as the detective who saved the men and helped take out the criminal police chief. Who do you think people will latch on to? My men or you?”

Everyone knew me now. There was even a charity fundraiser, one of many Jordan hosted, and I was the man of honor. It didn’t matter that Jordon, Reghan, Raiden, and others were in the media too for the part they played. The public already loved them in East Dremest, most anyway. I was new to this scene even if I lived here my whole life. They latched on to me, had to know me.

That thought made me pause.

“You set this up from the start with your fundraiser,” I accused. “You knew they were going to love me. It was PR within PR.” He was a smart man, smarter than I had given him credit for. Jordan always had a plan. This one included me.

Jordan’s lips twitched. It was the beginning of a smile. “You’ll learn that everything I do has a purpose. I always get my way.” Smug asshole. I might not have said it out loud, but I didn't need to. His lips twitched again. He knew exactly what I thought. “I expect a plan from you by the end of the week.”

“A plan?”

“For the community outreach. Where you’re going to start, your budget, and your goals.”

“Jesus, I didn’t sign up for a corporate job.”

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