Brey walked by and grabbed my hand briefly while she leaned in to whisper, “Good luck.”
Jett didn’t walk out with his team. He crossed his arms over his expansive chest and stood there with his feet shoulder width apart. He looked unmovable and protective. Hot.
“Victory works for me.”
“She does, but the business we have together isn’t a part of Stonewood Enterprises.”
“Then you can have dinner with her outside of her working hours.”
“Don’t be a prick, Jett. I just need a minute with her.” When Jett still didn’t move, Bastian sighed and ran a hand through his dark curly hair. “Oh, for fuck’s sake, I’m not trying to date her or get her into business with me. She’s safe, she’s yours, she’s untouchable. I get it.”
“I’m what?” I stammered out. “I’m not ... We’re not …”
“Don’t fucking forget it, Bastian.” Without looking at me, he stormed out and slammed the door.
Bastian groaned and mumbled, “Jesus.”
He sat back down in his chair and waved at the one next to him.
I glanced around, searching for cameras or something in case he really did try something mobster-ish. Nothing looked remotely like security, and I found myself tensing back up.
“I don’t want to hurt or scare you, Vick. It’s just me.”
I nodded and pulled the chair out but moved it a little further away before sitting.
He grumbled something low and then his hand shot out to the leg of my chair so fast I nearly jumped. He dragged the chair close enough that we were inches apart and said softly, “You danced with me a whole damn night, woman. And now I’m dating your friend. Katie isn’t scared of me. You shouldn’t be either.”
“Katie isn’t scared of anybody.”
A laugh burst out of him as he sat back. “Got that right. I’m fucking scared of her sometimes.”
I slumped at his assessment of my friends. I remembered that laugh he had—so intoxicating, I told Brey to have fun with him in the club, not knowing a thing about him. Now that I knew so much more, I wondered how I could accept Katie dating him.
News outlets consistently followed the Armanelli men, and while they never did the dirty work themselves, there was so much done in the streets of the city they controlled. Taking over for his father meant he could make a call and literally have someone killed. That power and feeling of godlike control could only lead to abuse.
“Everyone should fear you. Power breeds fear.”
“I don’t have power like you think.”
“Don’t you though?”
He stared out the windows. “It's a beautiful city. I’m not here to paint it red. My dad gave me power because he wants me to clean up the red that’s already been spilled.”
Was he saying what I thought he was saying? This was for movies or books. Not my life. Not my carefully protected life.
“Look, I don’t want to be involved in this thing between you and the Stonewoods.” I sighed. “Levvetor is a good company. Does that mean you should back it? I’m not sure. I don’t know if you are looking to corrupt it or help it.”
“Help. Promise.”
“I don’t know how much weight that holds. A promise between us is—”
“Cross my heart, I’ll bleed out on the streets of Chicago for you if you find me lying.”
I looked him up and down, took in his expensive suit, the way his body leaned toward me in a way that didn’t feel creepy but earnest. He wanted me to believe him, maybe even wanted me to be friends with him. Some yearning was there, but it was definitely platonic. “Why Levvetor?”
“I could ask you the same question. Going up against Jett isn’t for the faint of heart.”
“Meh …”I shrugged a shoulder.