Page 156 of Lavish
Erik nodded slowly.
“I know I don’t need your permission,” I said, voice steady, “but I’m asking anyway.”
He looked at me, puzzled.
“I love Serena,” I continued. “And I know I’ve made mistakes, but I’ve never used her. I’ve never lied to her. And I’d never do anything to hurt her. What we have together… It’s real. I’m not trying to get payback on anybody. I’m just trying to live my life.”
“For some weird reason, she wants you.” Erik’s jaw worked for a long time before he nodded. “You ever hurt her, and it won’t matter what this conversation was. I’ll remind you exactly why we stopped being friends.”
I gave a small smile. “Fair.”
He stared at me a second longer, then nodded.
“You got my blessing, Whitmore. Don’t fuck it up.”
Then he stepped forward and pulled me in for one of those one-armed, back-slapping hugs.
“I did beat your ass,” he muttered.
“No, you didn’t.”
I felt my phone ring, and thinking it was Serena, I rushed hastily to answer it.
“Hello—”
“You got thirty minutes. Bring my money. Don’t make me wait, Miles.”
My stomach turned to stone. “What the hell are you talking about?”
A moment later, I got a text with an address.
Erik stepped closer, reading my face. “Was that…him?”
I slid my phone into my pocket. “Yeah.”
“I’m coming with you.”
“No,” I said quickly. “The less people involved the better. I got this.”
He hesitated, then finally nodded. “Don’t do anything stupid.”
I was already heading for the door when I dialed Burke.
He picked up on the first ring.
“I got something for you,” I said. “Victor just called. He wants the bag. He told me where to bring it.”
Burke said. “Where?”
I arrived outside at the address sent to me just as Victor was pulling up. He stepped out of the car, coming over to me.
“Miles,” Victor said. “You brought my bag?”
I gave a tight nod, popping the trunk but not touching the duffel. “Right there.”
Victor reached for it, and I closed the top of the trunk, almost taking his hand off. “Whoa, buddy. Calm down.”
He narrowed his eyes at me.
