Okay, it’s not a total hole in the wall, but compared to Raegan, it is. It’s most definitely one she doesn’t need to be inside of on the weekends. Not with all those drunk men leering at her lush body. Thankfully, she spends most of her time behind the bar.
“It’s a bar, sir. In another state. I was speaking with Alex Stone and—”
“I want the bar.” I cut her off. All roads lead back to the Stone brothers when it comes to Eva. I get it. It’s her job, and I’m not acting right, but that doesn’t matter. She’s my assistant, not my confidant. I don’t need her approval.
“I do believe someone is trying to buy the bar as well, sir.” When I spot a golden halo, I end the call with a half goodbye. The sun is bright, making her blond hair look brighter today. Her ponytail sways with each step she takes. I’ve never seen a woman with a body like hers. Nor have I ever wanted someone the way that I want her. As a matter of fact, I’ve never wanted anyone period.
Raegan has the kind of body that makes you want to grip her and dig your fingers into her lush skin. She’s all woman. Maybe there are other women out there with bodies like hers, but I haven’t noticed. I’m still trying to figure out what it is that she has over me. Whatever it is, I never want it to stop.
My mood sours when she disappears into the diner and I know I must now wait. I run my hand down my face as I take a deep breath. There is something wrong with me, but I can’t help myself. Whatever this is, I have to solve it. Why has this little Rae of light captivated me?
Knowing I have a few minutes to wait, I pull out my phone and text Marco.
Me: Someone is trying to buy The Loft where Rae works on the weekends. I want to know who.
Marco: That will cost you.
His response is quick.
Me: . . .
Marco: Vincent Castillo
Marco: You know he gave her brother a big raise too. If I didn’t know he was head over heels for JJ, I’d be worried.
I clear out my text messages and call Vincent. I need to know what the hell he is up to. I’m guessing he’s doing this for JJ. He wants to make sure the people she cares about are taken care of. But I don’t need another man looking after what’s mine.
“I stayed out of your shit, and now you need to stay out of mine.”
“Lawson, how is it going? Are you still in the city?” His tone is light. Vincent can be as direct as I can; he just handles things with more tact.
“The bar.” I don’t even entertain having small talk with him until what I’ve called about is taken care of.
“Oh, you want it? All right. I was only—”
“I know what you’re doing, and she's not yours to look after.” I try to stay calm. The line goes quiet for a long moment. Silence. I can do that shit all day. Or I had been able to for most of my life. “Back off, I get it. She’s your wife’s friend.”
“Family. Rae Smith is her family. So much so she was willing to hand over her career and part of her life for Julieta. Which tells me she means a fuck ton to my wife. And anyone that is that significant in my wife’s life is the same to me.”
“You want to play games with me, Vincent? We can play them. But I never lose.”
“Sounds messy. Don’t need you to go poking at Wall Street and causing panic or whatever it is you have up your sleeve to try and annoy me. The bar’s yours.”
“That easy?”
Vincent laughs. “The last thing this is going to be for you, Frosty Lawson, is easy.” With that, he ends the call.
“Frosty Lawson,” I repeat. The fuck does that even mean?
I shake the thought off and send a message to tell Eva to wrap the deal with the stupid fucking bar. I have no clue what I’m going to do with the damn thing. But I already feel a sense of relief knowing that I have some sort of control. That I don’t have to worry about Raegan being safe working there. I plan to have a shit ton of security put into place as soon as the ink dries.
“Sir?”
“I’m ready.” I straighten my tie as James pulls out and heads closer to the diner. He pulls up front. “I’ve got it,” I tell him so he doesn’t try to open my door.
“Sir,” he tells me right before I’m about to close the door behind me. “I’m gay. I’ve got a boyfriend.”
“What’s his name?” He almost looks like he doesn’t want to tell me. Is it because it’s odd I’m asking him such questions or something else? I stand there letting the quiet settle in to do its job.