Page 14 of Little Bird (Advantage Play 3)

My throat feels like sandpaper when I realize what he’s inferring, so I simply nod.

And with that, he steps out of the room, leaving me alone with my conflicting thoughts on the man who’s supposed to be my captor but is starting to feel a hell of a lot like more than that.

I’m so screwed.

Chapter Eleven

Dex

It’s been three days. Three days of awkward protectiveness that neither of us knows what to do with. Three days of wobbling barriers we’ve both built, yet feel close to crumbling. And three days of knowledge that her potential future will likely be in the hands of someone else.

And it guts me.

“Hey, Boss,” I call out as I rap my knuckles against Burlone’s open door.

He waves his hand in the air, allowing me to enter. “What do you need, Dex?”

What the hell am I doing here?

Rubbing my hand against my face, I ask, “I was just wondering if you’ve heard back from any buyers?”

Burlone snaps his head up from his paperwork and looks me up and down. “And why do you ask? You’ve never been curious about this side of the business before.”

He’s right to voice his suspicion, but it doesn’t stop me from bristling. “I’ve never been involved in any of this side of the business before. I figure if you’re giving me the responsibility to watch over the passion fruit, then you’re wanting me to transition and take over more responsibilities. Am I wrong?”

It’s obvious Burlone believes my load of bullshit by the way he leans back in his chair and steeples his fingers to his mouth. “No. You’ve always known that you and Sei are my right-hand men. When I retire, I plan on passing my business to one of you. The real question has always been a matter of who.”

I nod, having heard this before. It’s one of the main reasons Sei and I are so competitive with each other. Hell, part of me feels like we’re both a couple of mangy dogs fighting over a few scraps that Burlone tosses to us whenever he feels like being entertained. Regardless, we’ve always known what’s at stake because Burlone likes to dangle it in front of us like a couple of damn carrots. Unfortunately, the more time I spend in the basement with Little Bird, the less I know if I want it or not.

“The problem is that you’re soft, Dex. But you’re smart too. You think of things from different angles that Sei could never dream of. But you’re also afraid to get your hands dirty when it comes to the majority of our business dealings, while Sei doesn’t have a problem with that aspect. You two make quite the pair. It’s a pity you both can’t work together without being at each other’s throats.” He tsks. “However, to answer your question, all of the fruit I had planned on selling will be purchased as buy-ins for the event. Unfortunately, my associates are struggling with payment and are wanting to take care of the logistics on the night of the tournament before it officially starts. Because I’m generous, I’ve decided to comply with their requests, so we’ll be keeping the fruit until then. Are they giving you any trouble?”

My brows furrow. “The girls?”

He nods.

“No. They haven’t given me any trouble. The guys, on the other hand, have been little shits who don’t know how to not touch the merchandise.”

Burlone has the audacity to laugh, throwing his head back and slapping his hand against the table before he defends them. “Well, you know how they are. Boys will be boys. As long as they don’t touch the virgins, then we’re fine. Have you been keeping a close eye on them?”

There are only two. One of which is my Little Bird, though both are gorgeous and hold the same interest from the sorry sacks of shit who want to ruin them. The real problem is that I don’t know how to protect them both. I can’t be in two places at once, and Sei is making things…difficult. Which reminds me….

“Yeah. It wouldn’t hurt if you’d remind Sei to back the hell off, though.”

With a shrug, an unapologetic Burlone says, “He’s trying to screw with you, and it appears it’s working. Stop acting like you care so much about the fruit, and he’ll stop trying to screw with them. Understand?”

If only that were possible.

“Yeah.”

“Good. Now get out of my office. I got shit to do.”

* * *

When I see Sei heading my way, busy zipping up his pants after exiting a girl’s door, I snap.

Shoving him against the wall, I place my forearm against his throat and grit out, “What the hell were you doing in there, Sei?”

“Nothing.” He has the audacity to smirk.

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