Page 31 of Virtue & Vengeance

Maybe it was because he was the only person in Vegas I knew Aunt Kennedy trusted.

Maybe it was because I knew he would protect me if I needed protection.

Either way, I paid the Uber driver and rushed into the Empire feeling as though I was being chased. I didn’t stop as I made my way straight to Zander’s office.

I didn’t bother knocking, and if he was surprised to see me barge into his office, it didn’t show in his expression. I slammed the door to his office and pressed my back to it as I caught my breath.

His brows pulled down as he took in my expression. I was sure my hair was a mess, and my face was flushed from rushing.

“What’s wrong?” he asked, standing from behind his desk and coming around it. “Did something happen?”

I opened my mouth to answer, but I hadn’t caught my breath enough yet. Instead, I swallowed and held up a hand to tell him I needed a minute.

He leaned his hip against his desk and crossed his large arms over his chest.

“I have to admit, angel, seeing you rush into my office all full of need is kind of doing it for me.” He chuckled.

That was all it took.

Clarity hit me in the face like a bucket of ice water and I knew going to Zander wasn’t the best idea.

Going to him would be like admitting I needed him, and I didn’t want to need anyone.

“You know what? Never mind,” I said, turning to open his office door and leave.

But before I could pull the door open, a large hand settled against it beside my head keeping it shut.

“What is it, Eden? You came rushing in here for a reason. Tell me.”

Turning, I pressed my palms into his broad chest and pushed him away.

“Anything I was going to say to you died with your sarcastic attempt at flirting. Just forget you saw me today.”

I pulled at the door, and it opened.

He didn’t stop me this time. The commotion of the rest of the building came rushing into his office, filling the area around us with the sounds of the bustling casino.

I paused before exiting his office and turned back to him.

“Are you coming over tonight? Or do I finally get a night to myself?” My voice dripped with sarcasm, but I was hoping and praying he was going to show up tonight.

I had to be honest with myself, even if I was pretending I didn’t need anyone. And if I was being honest, I was afraid.

After today and realizing I was being followed, I didn’t want to be alone. And if I had to have someone around me to protect me, Zander was the one I wanted. He was a total dick, but I knew he would kill someone if he needed to.

“I’m coming over,” he said.

With a roll of my eyes, I walked away, but relief filled my chest as I exited Empire.

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