Jen’s gaze snaps back to mine. “The Slades can take care of their own.”
“Money can’t solve everything, Jen.”
“Seems to do pretty well for the mob.”
I scoff. “And are the Slades just as dangerous?”
Jen pauses and runs a hand over her face. “Fuck. He’s going after Simone, isn’t he?”
“We’re still gathering intel, but I believe so. Travis doesn’t like looking like an idiot, and the fact that Simone not only left him for another man but got him arrested for aggravated assault….”
Jen frowns. “A guy like Travis isn’t going to settle for making Simone pay. He’ll go after the Slades too and try to tear their whole world apart just to see her squirm.Shit. I’ve led them right to the Slades’ doorstep.”
“You couldn’t have known, Jen. Travis Milano is a piece of work. Sooner or later, he was going to target all of you for what you did to him. You know that better than anyone else.”
Jen gives a slight shake of her head before she straightens her back. “We need to talk to Bennett and Simone.”
I arch a brow. “Does this mean you’ll go undercover again?”
Jen pauses and reaches into her pockets. She pulls out a wallet and sets a crisp bill down on the table. “I need to talk to Simone and Bennett first before I make any decisions. The sooner the Slades know what’s happening, the better. It’ll at least ensure they’re not caught by surprise.”
Reluctantly, I stand up, and when she brushes past me, I catch another whiff of her perfume and exhale. “I don’t think you should underestimate how dangerous he is.”
“He almost killed my friend, Matthew. He would’ve killed me if he’d had the chance. I’m not stupid or naïve to think that looking out for him is going to help.”
In silence, we weave in and out of people until we stand outside.
Jen tilts her head back and looks up at the sky, her expression wistful. “I can’t get a fucking break, can I? Not one single moment of peace?” She sighs. “And now Travis is out there. Fuck.”
I clear my throat. “I’m sorry.”
Jen lowers her head and looks directly at me, her eyes wide and weary. “As long as we can make the bastard pay, it’ll be worth it. Let’s go talk to the Slades.”
“Lead the way.”
Chapter 3: Pull
Jen
Ican feel his eyes on me from the passenger seat, frank and assessing. Still, I keep both hands on the wheel and stare straight ahead.
At the traffic light, I twist to face him, and our eyes meet, sending a shiver racing up my spine. Abruptly, I glance away and fix my gaze on the empty road ahead. Cars and people whizz past in either direction, but all I can think about is the man sitting next to me.
And how he makes me feel.
Like I am burning from the inside out.
Like every inch of me is alive and thrumming at his proximity.
Ihateit.
Not only is he luring me back into a goddamn mess, no, I have to deal with how I feel, too. I don’t like how he makes me lose my focus, or how seeing him smile makes my insides quiver.
It has been a long time since someone made me feel the way Matthew did.
Too long.
You need to get laid, that’s all. Besides, you’ve worked with him before. The excitement will wear off as long as you don’t do anything stupid.