“Do you like your job?” Jordan asked.
“Does anyone?”
“I do.”
I chuckled. “I’d think so. Why do it if you don’t?” It was well known what he did. There was no point in pretending I didn’t have a clue.
“Work for me.”
That brought me up short. “What?”
“Quit your job and work for me.”
“Why the hell would I do that?” I wasn’t in the business of being arrested. The last thing I wanted was to wind up behind bars like my father.
“Because I’ll pay you a hell of a lot more, give you a place to live, and keep you out of prison.”
“I think you misunderstood. I didn’t do anything to end up there in the first place.”
“You just eavesdropped on a private conversation between two cops, then told me, a man they would love to arrest, what they said. They wouldn’t look too kindly on that.”
“I have no allegiance to them. Why would I help them now?”
“You have a past,” Jordan stated. “We all do.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a card, setting it on the table. “Call me when you’re ready for an upgrade.” With that, he left.
I sat at the table for another half hour, staring at the card before I stood and went out the door. Instead of walking the rest of the way to my apartment, I hailed a cab and gave the driver the address to the building Jordan owned. When I got there, a tall man walked up to the cab and asked what my business was.
I handed him the card, said his boss was waiting for me, and told him to pay for the cab.
Jordan waited for me when I entered the building. “You took longer than I expected.”
“I don’t make life choices on a whim. Can we discuss your offer?”
“Let’s go upstairs.”
That began my relationship with Jordan. It was one I hadn’t regretted since I’d met him.
10
FOREST
By the time I exited Keith’s office, JJ and Sheldon had fallen silent and were staring out the front window. I didn’t bother saying anything, outside of thank you and shaking JJ’s hand before leaving. Keith had told me I pretty much had the job, but he had to talk it over with JJ since it wasn’t only his decision.
I should have been happy. A new path was opening up for me. But I couldn’t shake whatever was wrong with Sheldon. It shouldn’t have affected me like it did.
He dropped me off at home with a tight smile and left. That was days ago. I hadn’t seen him since. Hartley said there was some shit going down, and Sheldon was needed to assist. The details weren’t necessary, nor were they any of my business. That didn’t help me sleep at night, wondering if Sheldon was okay. I’d be damned if I fucked up a second time and wasn’t there if he was hurt again. He wasn’t, thankfully. At least, not that I’d heard. Hartley would have told me.
Keith had called me on Friday to formally offer me the job. They were paying me more than the position originally was going to. With my experience, they were hoping I could advance their systems and take them to the next level. I didn’t know if I could, but I’d try. They offered me great benefits. While thepay wasn’t what I’d made at my previous job, it beat nothing. It would easily cover my low rent and other bills.
It was Saturday night. I should have been out celebrating getting a new job. Instead, I was home. There wasn’t an urge in me to drink. If I went to a bar or club, the temptation would be in my face. I could resist it, but didn’t want to dance or interact with strangers, so why bother?
The lights were low and the TV was on. Lounging on the couch should have helped me relax. I should be asleep, trying to get myself back onto a regular schedule. Switching into night owl mode came easily to me. Getting into the swing of waking up early was another story.
A knock on the door startled me. The only people who visited me were my brother, Vail, and those who worked for Jordan. Without a call or text, I had no clue who was here. It set me on edge.
The clock read midnight as I walked quietly to the door with my phone in my hand. I didn’t have 911 on the screen, ready to call. I had the main security desk at Jordan’s building. They’d get here faster and do more damage than any cop would.
Through the peephole, I saw Sheldon looking out over the small balcony. I opened the door and expected him to turn around, but he didn’t.
