Page 8 of Under the Influence
I glance over, but of course Tucker pretends to be oblivious to my turmoil as well as the conversation. Conveying the perfect stoic, impassive face of a chauffeur. Although we both know he's so much more than that. "I'm withTucker."
Even he twitches from her shriek squealing through the speaker. Well aware that in the past, if I'm with the bodyguard, I'm with Gio too. Physically and mentally. Which I swore would never happen again. "Please tell me you did not break up with Leighton for thatasshole."
Iwish.
I roll my eyes at myself. What the hell is wrong with me for wishing something so utterly crazy. "Of course not. Just meet me at TheCorner."
Clever name for the bar that's – you guessed it – on the corner. Old, modest, and cheap. Perfect for when you care more about the company you're with than the ambiance of yoursurroundings.
"Fine. But if Gio shows up I'm stabbing him in thethroat."
Despite my anxiety, I can't help but smile a little. Sheena's smaller than me and neither of us even reach his shoulders. Best she could do is knife him in his heart. Which isn't necessary. Since it's alreadydead.
"Calm down, crazy. He won't bethere."
A deep sigh rustles against my ear. Her emotions on the same roller coaster as mine, and she doesn't even know the fullstory.
"Good."
Conviction I can't seem to mimic forces strength in her voice. Dreading her reaction, especially when she figures out how lame I am for wanting what he says to betrue.
"See you inten."
"Okay."
My hands shake when I drop my cell back in my clutch. I really have lost my mind. As much as I love my best friend, I dread admitting the truth to her. She's going to say all the things I know I should do. Agree to. Believe in. But I can't. Even worse, I don't wantto.
So I'll ignore that impending confrontation for a few minutes longer. Unable to face his disapproving scowl, I stare at the intricate black lines decorating Tucker's long fingers as they curl around the steering wheel. "Sorry aboutthat."
A quick shrug that I know hides so much more. "No problem. She wouldn't be your best friend if she didn't worry aboutyou."
"Just like you andGio."
I don't know why I just said that. He seems surprised too. Thick salt and pepper eyebrows lifting before his face falls to stoneagain.
"Iguess."
"We're not getting back together." False bravado stirs in my chest. Easier to have a one-sided argument with his bodyguard rather than him. "I don’t care what he says. Ordoes."
Now he smirks. Damn him. He's just as smug as Gio. They deserve eachother.
"Okay."
Absolute zero hesitation in his response. Which means he doesn't believe me in the slightest. "I’m serious. We aren't. Not after what hedid."
I hate the way my voice quivers. As much as my waning confidence. He really did destroy me. Half of which he doesn’t even know about. But still hurts just thesame.
This time Tucker actually looks at me. A dangerously long time meeting my gaze while we speed down theroad.
"Not everything’s as it seems,Chryseis."
Goosebumps lift on my skin from the intensity of his stare. From his definitive tone. Not kidding or pretending. "What's that supposed tomean?"
Finally, he releases my eyes and turns back to thewindshield.
"I can be just as protective over my best friend. I know he hurt you, but there's a lot you don'tunderstand.
Tucker's never been one to play games. Although speaking against his boss's actions is a dangerous one. I don't claim to understand their world, but I know disloyalty only earns one punishment. Death. So his message must be important for him to risk Gio’s wrath. "Why are you defending him? You know what he did to me. How he treated me. He’s nothingbut?”
