“Good. I should break all your fucking fingers so you can’t type.” I scratched the back of my head, fighting the urge to beat the shit out of my little brother. “How’d you figure out my password?”
“Really? You’re not a mystery, you know. Or the only smart one in the family.”
That was debatable. This asshole had a price on his head, so I’d call him dumber than dirt.
“Tell me.”
“I remembered Jennie’s birthday and the day she died. I took a chance.” He shrugged. “Mixed with her initials, bingo, I was in.”
“Fucking hell.” I slammed my MacBook shut and went into the bathroom to take a piss. I should have slept with it under my pillow because, clearly, Conrad couldn’t be trusted. And now I had the added stress of the goddamn Russian Mafia possibly finding us in Los Angeles.
I had wanted to avoid asking York for help, but his ties to the Bratva might be the only way I could save my brother’s life. Tomorrow, Will would have the money for me. I was taking it to Atlantic City on a private jet Will chartered for me next Friday. Only twelve days from today.
We’d both agreed taking that kind of cash on a commercial plane was stupid. Today was the eighth day, my nerves were shot. I wanted this shit with the Morosov family over.
After I finished my business and brushed my teeth, I sat on the edge of the bed and glared at Conrad.
“You do realize the Morosovs are looking for you, right? They know your fucking habits, the online gambling sites you frequent. Are you trying to get yourself killed? Because, Conrad, if that’s what you want, so be it. I won’t bother getting the money. I’ll just let you bury yourself.”
His eyebrows shot up. “You’d let them kill me?”
“No, I’d let you get yourself killed.” Yeah, I sounded like an asshole. I was just trying to strike fear into my dumb-ass brother. It would break my heart to lose another person I loved, but Simone’s safety was also my priority. I wouldn’t let Conrad’s stupidity and gambling addiction bring danger to her door. She already had enough shit going on with some stalker tormenting with her.
Conrad started to pace, his hands trembling like a druggie going through withdrawals. Addiction was a bitch, not only for the addict but for their loved ones too. I was so tired of dealing with everyone’s weaknesses. Between my mom, Jennie, and Conrad, I’d had enough drama. I just wanted peace. I liked danger, got a natural high from it. But I didn’t want it involving those I cared about.
I was glad Simone didn’t smoke or use. Even her alcohol consumption was minimal. I learned a lot about her just from watching her for the last eight months. The image she portrayed to the public and in front of the camera was not the real woman I cared about and maybe even loved a little. There was something intimate about knowing her secrets, like how she preferred to wear an oversized sweatshirt and leggings at home but wore more revealing clothing when she snapped pictures of herself. I loved it when she took her makeup off and put her dark hair into a messy bun. Again, nothing she ever showed on social media. She was absolutely gorgeous in her natural state and notonfor the cameras.
“You’re cruel.”
I glanced at my brother. “And I’m tired of you making stupid choices.”
“Asshole.” Conrad ducked into the bathroom and slammed the door.
I wasn’t sure what to do about him. Leaving Conrad alone was a disaster waiting to happen. He’d proven as much while I was here in the same damn room sleeping. God only knew what he’d attempt to do when I wasn’t here in the hotel room.
But I also had Simone to think about. I’d told her I’d take her home. If I disappointed her, I might not be able to come back from it. She might cut me loose entirely. I wasn’t sure I wanted to be free of her… yet.
I didn’t really know what I wanted. Or did I?
For fuck’s sake, I did know what I wanted. It was Simone St. James.
When I had her in my arms yesterday, I could have ripped her clothes off and dominated her body. Made her unequivocally mine. We might not ever get the chance to be together, but I sure as hell didn’t want her cutting me out of her life.
It was one thing to leave on my terms like I had last November. I could process my emotions better when I walked away. But if Simone shoved me out of her life, I wasn’t sure what I’d do. So I would take her home and guard her with my life.
And what about Conrad?
My cell phone buzzed on the nightstand before I could figure out what to do about my idiot brother. I groaned, reaching for it, and noticed the time was just after eight in the morning. It was later than I had thought, so I wasn’t surprised Will was calling.
“Yeah?”
“Sorry if I woke you.”
“You didn’t. What’s up?”
Will was silent, which didn’t sit well with me. “You there?”
“Yeah, sorry. My dad had just passed by.” He exhaled a quick breath. “I never know how to approach you about this particular subject.”