“Just as you could have told me you were going to visit my territory to interfere in a deal that could cause you endless grief.” He tilted his tumbler in my direction in a gesture of welcome before taking a sip, and I followed suit.
“I wanted to set ground rules for our engagement.”
“I’m sure that went well,” Sota, the eldest of Draco’s grandsons, mused with a smirk. “At least you survived without having your throat slit.”
Fucker.
We’d grown up together and communicated almost weekly, if not more. The least he could have done was give me a heads-up about Nyx. But then again, if he was told to keep it quiet, he’d follow orders.
Sota and his brothers had taken over most of the Jackson operation, controlling Vegas and the western United States, from his father, Kota, Draco’s oldest son.
Though, no one would ever question that Draco still led the Jackson clan. He may have retired from the day-to-day workings of his organization long ago, but nothing happened without his knowledge.
I envied the closeness of the Jackson family. They worked like a well-oiled machine. Everyone knew their role and understood the importance of expanding the empire. Jealousy seemed nonexistent. In fact, the thought of sitting on one’s ass and collecting on the family’s reputation was simply inconceivable to any of them.
“So, you know about her? Why am I not surprised? The Jacksons keep tabs on everyone in Vegas.”
“What have you discovered, Simon?” Draco asked, without confirming anything.
“All the rumors about her are laced in truth, especially the hellion part. Away from New York, she acts like she’s pure as sunshine, but she isn’t anywhere close to that. It’s all an act.”
“I wouldn’t assume too much about her. A chameleon only performs to fit the role. It would do you good to accept who she is when she believes no one is watching.”
“Are you saying she is a sweet victim of gossip who just happens to like throwing knives as a hobby?”
“Just as we know no matter how hard Gio tried to make you into his image, you are still very much Kyros’s son.”
I showed no outward reaction to the dig at Pappous. One thing Draco never shied away from was conveying his disagreement with the way Pappous handled his relationships with his sons, especially my father.
To Draco, family was everything, and Gio Drakos had destroyed his, due to his pride and greed.
I wouldn’t disagree with Draco’s sentiment. However, Pappous taught me one valuable lesson with the death of my parents.
To keep the family running, one could never have any weaknesses.
“No disrespect,Oyabun. Olympia Nyx Mykos is no innocent. She’s duped you as she has done with everyone else around her. She has an end goal, and I stand in her way, which pisses her off.”
“I believe it is the other way around. You’re frustrated that you’ve met a woman who won’t put up with your way of doing business. Gio’s methods won’t work on her. A wise man would remember women are shrewd opponents.”
“She wants out of this marriage. I gave her an option.”
“There is no out for either of you.” The finality of Draco’s statement grated against my nerves. “The clause only works if you don’t touch her.”
“That is not what the clause says. I know it inside and out.”
“You will not touch her and walk away, Simon.” The order in Draco’s voice had my temper flaring.
Of all the people I dealt with daily, I expected Draco to have my back in all things. His warning me away from Nyx felt like a punch to the gut.
“Why are you protective of her? Is it her relationship to the Lykaioses, her friendship with your in-law, or something personal?”
“Let’s say it is all of the above. She has a place in my circle just as you do.”
“Meaning?”
Draco lifted a bushy white brow, telling me I’d overstepped. “There are things I keep for my own benefit. You know how this game works. What I will tell you is that I won’t work against you. Trust the process.”
What the fuck could he mean by that?