Total pages in book: 113
Estimated words: 108988 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 545(@200wpm)___ 436(@250wpm)___ 363(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 108988 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 545(@200wpm)___ 436(@250wpm)___ 363(@300wpm)
Things would change.
I glanced to her desk and saw her note about her new work schedule. She was making her own moves. Octavia. The foster center.
She was finding her way, so I would find my way with her. I would move alongside her.
I had missed her.
My phone lit up from my hand, and I turned it over to see who texted.
Lassiter: Someone’s reached out for a meet. Can you come?
Lassiter would never text unless it was someone I needed to see.
Me: On the way.
Chapter Thirteen
Creighton
Lassiter’s directions brought me to the alley beside Cole Mauricio’s nightclub.
The man who called for this meeting stood just outside Octavia’s side door. Lassiter, Levi, and a few of my other men stood between me and him. They stepped aside so I could better view him. Some of his staff also lingered in the alley. I noted their guns and knew these weren’t just Octavia’s staff. They were Cole Mauricio’s men.
This was Blake’s new boss. A young manager running a nightclub in New York City for Cole Mauricio.
He was younger than me, and on the outside, we looked similar.
I knew without a doubt that Blake would’ve found him attractive.
“Spence Calloway.”
His nostrils flared at my greeting, but he masked the hostile expression before attempting to smile at me.
I motioned to his eyes. “Those give you away.”
He swiftly inhaled. “Excuse me?”
I took a step closer so he could see my face better. The light was better. I gestured to my eyes. “You’re trying to mask your hatred for me, but it won’t work. You also don’t need to do that. I expect people to hate me before they meet me, then hate me more after they meet me. You can show your hate. It’s fine. You’re not like me. You don’t have to worry about appearing a certain way. I act to appear normal, but you, you are normal.” I gave him a more considered look. “You’re not a lamb, but you’re not a wolf either.”
He glared at me, showing me his teeth.
I smiled.
“I shoul—” He reached for his side, but I moved quickly. My hand went to his wrist, and as he started to bring out a knife, I twisted his wrist, applying enough pressure so he made a gasping sound, forcing him to drop the knife or I would’ve broken his wrist.
As the knife slipped from his hold, I took it, stepping back.
“Boss!” Levi and Lassiter both moved for me.
I held up a hand.
They halted immediately, and I offered them the knife that I’d just taken. When they didn’t automatically reach for it, I snapped. “Take it.”
I could feel their hesitation.
I fixed Levi with a glare. “We’ll discuss your slip later.”
He was confused until he got it, and he tried giving me an appeasing look. “Sorry, Bo—”
I growled in warning.
“Creighton,” he corrected himself.
Lassiter was eyeing both Levi and me until he stepped to the side and studied Octavia’s manager instead. I couldn’t place what he was thinking as he watched the other man.
“Did you call this meeting to attack me?” I motioned toward my men, ignoring his men. “That wasn’t well thought out. A bit shortsighted. No?”
Spence Calloway drew back a step and raised his head, trying to regain control over himself again. “You recently came from Chicago?”
That was also interesting. “You hired one of mine. Cole Mauricio has an agreement with my enemies. I wanted to be sure of her safety.” I grinned again. “There are rules, are there not? Rules on how to operate within Cole Mauricio’s club, or to be more specific, rules for how not to act. I have the same agreement he has with West and Walden.” I was trying to figure out his reasons for this meeting. It wasn’t a necessary meeting. “I am permitted on these premises as long as I am without a weapon. Though, I’m wondering if that’s necessary in this alley. If someone is standing on one side, it’s easy to shoot across the imaginary line. Too close together. The other side belongs to Ashton Walden. You’re aware he owns that building?” I gestured to the side.
Spence’s eyes widened.
He hadn’t known that fact. I wondered if his boss had.
I made sure to turn and smile at the security cameras that were attached to Walden’s building.
Both cameras were blinking, so they were active.
I was about to press this new fact when there was a screech of brakes. Shouting was next. Gunshots. Then a pair of headlights swept through the alley.
A vehicle barreled right at us.
Levi and Lassiter got between me and the vehicle while my men began shooting. Tristian West was driving, with crazed eyes, white knuckles on the steering wheel, and most importantly—he was alone. There were no guards with him.
My body hummed.
Spence was gone. I wasn’t done with Octavia’s manager.
Irritation beat in me, a steady drum as I turned to focus on the impending arrival.