Page 28 of Dark Torment

“I make it a rule to never view the scenery of my employees.” He crunches his nose in distaste, and I can’t stop the laughter that comes out.

“This. This is where you draw the line?” I chuckle some more.

“A man has to have some rules. We can’t all live the ultimate mirror lives.”

He’s right. I’m definitely not living the standard criminal life, but I don’t see why he’d stop at stalking one of his workers.

Though, it would pose a greater risk of being noticed when he shouldn’t be.

“Fair point. But let me ask you this,” I say, preparing him for my question. “Is there something that makes her different from any of the others?”

He barely has to think before he answers. “The second I saw her, it was like I became obsessed. Something inside of me just wants to claim Shelby for my own, and knock the teeth out of anyone else who even fucking looks at her.”

Shit. There has to be more than one Shelby in this town, right? He couldn’t possibly be obsessed with Olivia’s best friend.

“Let me see her file,” I say, all joking gone, and he narrows his eyes at me.

“Did you hear what I just said? That includes you, you nosy fucker,” he snaps back, and I glare at him.

“Do I look like I’m fucking joking right now?”

He watches me a moment before sighing and passing me a file folder off his desk.

Damn. He’s definitely sprung if he’s keeping her file so close.

Opening it up, I groan when I see the annoying blonde. Why the fuck is she stripping, anyway?

You know what; I don’t care. As long as she keeps this side of herself away from Olivia, it will be fine. I don’t need my innocent baby getting caught up in this bullshit.

“What was that look?” he asks me as I hand the file back to him.

“She’s my girl’s best friend,” I state, and he blinks at me.

“Right. You’ve never claimed a woman, so I’m going to need you to elaborate on what the fuck that actually means, Jon.” He looks at me expectantly, and I blow out a breath.

“How long does Ben usually stay here?” I question, needing to know how much time we have.

“Few hours, a few drinks. Maybe some private alone time with Tiffany if he’s feeling up to it.” He shrugs.

“And if you were to offer him a private dance in the farthest room? The one right by the emergency exit?”

“He’d willingly go.”

“Set it up as soon as this conversation is over. My car is already back there,” I tell him, and he agrees easily.

“Done.”

“I came across a job and took it, but not to perform said job like I normally would. I took it to protect the woman it was intended for.” He watches me closely, but I have no intentions of hiding this from him. “I knew the moment I saw her picture that she was meant to be mine, and now I’m doing what I need to in order to keep her safe,” I explain.

“Does she know she’s yours?”

I shrug. “Not yet, but she will soon.”

He barks a laugh at me and stands. “You’re a crazy son of a bitch,” he teases.

“It’s why we’re still friends. We’re both too messed up for anyone else to understand. You need to take care of that woman,” I tell him, referring to Shelby.

“Exactly what do you mean when you say take care of her? With you, that could mean a lot of things.”

I sigh. “She’s a royal pain in my ass and I very much can’t stand her influence on Olivia, but she’s protective of my girl, so just make sure she doesn’t die.”

“Yeah, that won’t happen on my watch.” A dark look crosses over my best friend’s face, one I know well.

Shelby is his Olivia. There’s no way he’ll allow harm to come to her.

“Do I want to know what’s going to happen to Ben?” he questions me as I move to hide in the shadows and wait for him to come back.

“He hurt my girl.” It’s all I have to say, and he’s ready to burn the world down with me.

He knows there’s nothing I wouldn’t do for Olivia if I’ve claimed her as mine. Like he said, I’ve never claimed a woman before.

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