“Then I’ll make sure you know what it’s like not to have the woman of your dreams!”Even though it was said in a whiny tone, it was still a threat that made a lump appear in Ares’s throat.
“If you take Ida, do anything other than abide by the terms of our contract I will destroy you.Everyone will know about cocaine and the hooker.”
Drustan stood, pointed a shaking finger at Xander.“You can’t!It was one time.”
“Was it?”Ares asked.
“I think the photos say otherwise.”Xander said.
“You guys are despicable.”
“No, we are very good at what we do.Don’t get in our way.You have a good deal with us, Drustan.Think of all the accolades it’s going to bring you once we hit the market.Think of how proud your father will be.”Xander said.
Drustan shoved his hands in his pockets.“Fine, but I hate you guys.”
“That’s fine with us,” Ares said.
Drustan marched away, shaking his head.A few moments later, the security detail followed him out the door.
Xander’s hands trembled.His face paled.
Ares caught the eye of the waiter.“Can I have some water now?”
“Right away, sir.”The waiter hurried off.
“I’m fine,” Xander gritted out.“I need out of here, but I’m fine.”
“Let’s get you home.”
The server set the glass of water down.
Xander grabbed it and sipped.“You have a date.”
“I need to make sure you’re okay.”
“I’m fine.Logan and Harper are at Axis Management.Get me there and I’ll go home with them.You were planning to change there, anyway?”
“Yes,” Ares said.
Xander wanted to live close to work, but the number of times they used the office as a stop to refresh, he didn’t know that it mattered.
Ares thought of his house.It was almost finished and he couldn’t wait.
“What security measures do you have on Josie?”Xander’s voice was so low he barely heard him.
“Nick’s tracking app is on her phone.”
“Get one of your sweepers on her.”
“That’s not what their purpose is for, you know that.”
“I know that I might have miscalculated bringing Drustan in.”
“Xander, it’s his usual bluster.Come on, let’s get you out of here.As you reminded me, I have a date.”
Xander nodded, then flashed him a smile.“Exactly what I was saying!”
Ares stood.“Yep, you’re always right.”
