Page 160 of Brooklyn Cupid

“He is an impressive man,” I say, my mind spinning with a dozen thoughts, the lies, the fact that this is going to be yet another blow to Lu’s confidence when I tell her the truth. And I don’t fucking want to ruin it for her today, but there is no other option.

We walk to an art store down the street where Lu needs to pick something up for the gallery. And while she goes inside, I stay outside and dial Seth Gordon.

The street around me pulsates in sync with the blood pumping in my head. His voice is like that of a hangman when he picks up after just one ring.

“Tell me this is the biggest coincidence and you arenotgathering intel on my daughter for the Reznik assignment.” His voice is a hundred degrees colder than at the cafe.

“It’s a coincidence, sir.” It’s not, fuck. “But she so happens to be the new lead Roey Torres told you about. And we were—”

“You are off.”

“Pardon me?”

“You are off the assignment. Our contract is off. You have nothing to do with Reznik anymore. No one from your company does. And I want you out of my daughter’s life, starting today. Right now, actually.”

My head starts spinning. “Sir, let me explain—”

“You heard me. I’ve read your portfolio. I know your history. Does she know you work for me?”

“No.”

“Exactly. My daughter should not be around someone like you.”

Now I am furious. It’s my fault for mixing business with my personal life. But if our business is done, as of several seconds ago, he has no right to tell me who I can be with.

“Your daughter and I—”

“Vacate the Goldsling Towers’ condo today. It’s a warning. Considering your record, you should be good with orders.”

“Does she know what you do? Or your business with Reznik?”

“If she finds out, I’ll assume it’s you. And then you’ll be lucky if any cell of your body is ever found.”

“All due respect, sir, she’s my friend. Our acquaintance was a coincidence. I’m not—”

“You are vacating the condo,” he snaps, “and dropping all contact with her. Understood?”

He doesn’t need to use harsher words. I know what he’s capable of and what his unlimited funds can do, including making people disappear.

“I don’t want her anywhere near you,” he adds. “Or any of the men in your company. I see you anywhere around her, Mr. Reed, you’ll be sorry. Have a good day.”

56

JACE

Sweat trickles down my back,my shirt damp from it. The traffic noise makes it hard to concentrate.

I turn toward the shop to make sure Lu is still inside and dial Roey.

“Roey, I’m sorry.”

I start talking, and when I’m finished, he’s quiet for a moment.

“I got a call from Seth Gordon right before yours,” he says. “It was brief. Yes, we are off the assignment.”

And then he says the one thing I didn’t expect him to say.

“Fuck Seth Gordon. He won’t find a better team than us.”

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