She frowns, the tiny lines on her forehead deepening when she stares up at me. “I’m sorry. I never meant for any of this to happen.”
I raise an eyebrow. “You didn’t mean to fuck me over?”
“Can’t I explain?”
“There’s nothing to explain. You opened your legs, and I walked right into that trap. Best weapon there is when it comes to a guy. It was completely my fault for being a dumbfuck, thinking we had something real. So, what’s to explain? Shit happened. We move on.”
She shakes her head and glances down at the sidewalk before opening the door to Beans to an End. “You have it all wrong, Nix,” she says with her back to me. “I didn’t mean to like you.”
I hear her words over the dull drone of the coffee shop chatter. I’m always sucked back in and believe what she says, but then I remember they’re using Coco as leverage and Kennedy will say anything to get me to narc. I’m just another assignment to her. I’m her mark. She’ll do anything she has to in order to accomplish her mission. She already seduced me, weaseling her way into my life, but her assignment isn’t over. I’m the mark, not Coco. Until they have my balls in a vise and my ass behind bars, she’ll keep working me.
I follow her through the coffee shop without speaking, figuring out how I’m going to handle the situation as we walk.
A hush falls over the crowd, and all eyes are on Kennedy and me as we walk inside.
A woman walks toward us with her shoulders pushed back and full of confidence. “Nix, I’m Rae, Kennedy’s handler, and I’ll be taking over from here.” She glances at Kennedy, motioning for her to get lost. Kennedy stares at me for a second before nodding to Rae and taking a few steps away. I’m still watching her when she turns and gives me a sad smile.
“Follow me,” Rae says and diverts my attention away from Kennedy.
We walk into a plain room with white walls, two chairs, a table, and a mirror that I know someone is on the other side of, watching us. I’m about ten seconds from popping my lid. My entire body is on edge, my muscles tense, and my mind reeling with possibilities.
Rae closes the door, motioning toward the empty chair on the other side of the table. “Sit, please.”
Sliding into the chair, I rest my arms on the table and lean back. “I won’t speak to anyone but Kennedy,” I tell her, figuring I have the cards to play, not her.
Rae sits across from me, clasping her hands together on the tabletop. “She’s not in charge, Mr. Ash.”
My glare darkens. “She brought me. She’s the reason I’m here. I’ll only speak to her.”
“I’ll have to get approval,” she says.
“Get it,” I growl.
My control is slipping. My anger is rising.Calm down. Think, Nix. Think.My dad taught me how to handle every situation, including the authorities.
“It’s all a game,” he told me. “Be smarter than them. Remember they want something from you. They’ll always play ball. Never show your cards before you need to, and play on your own terms. You are the rule maker, son. Don’t ever forget that.”
Rae glances toward the mirror before climbing to her feet. “I’ll be right back,” she says as she walks out the door.
I sit, looking relaxed, and stare at the wall in front of me. In situations like these, it’s important to keep calm. Do just what my father always taught me. Being pissed off and flying off the handle would play right into their game. Coco is a small fish in the proverbial sea of criminals. They don’t want her. They want me. But if they want anything from me, they’re going to give in to my demands…starting with Kennedy being the only person I talk with from here on out.
Moments later, the door opens and Kennedy walks in but doesn’t look at me. Her cheeks are red, and she takes a deep breath as she slides into the chair opposite me.
“Look at me,” I command her, my voice even but with a slight edge.
She lifts her eyes to mine and settles into her chair. For a moment, we stare at each other without speaking, but then she starts. “Nix,” she says, her voice cracking slightly.
I lean forward and clasp my hands on top of the table. “I will only speak to you from here on out. No one else. Understood?”
She straightens in her chair and places her hands near mine in the same position. “I’ve been informed.”
I know what I need to do. Coco is family. She may not be my blood, but she’s been by my side and loved me since the day I plucked her off the street. I can’t let her sit in jail because I was too fucking stupid to say no to her when she asked to learn the business. I’m the only one to blame here. Not Coco. Not Kennedy. Just me.
“So it’s me for Coco?” I never thought I would be saying those words, but there’s no other way to save her. She’s too young and has too much to live for to sit in prison for the rest of her life.
I’ve lived my life.
I’ve made my choices.
