“I can. You haven’t spent the time with him I have.”
“I love you like a brother, but I wouldn’t go to jail for you.” Throwing me an unreadable look, Isaac cleaned off the rest of his plate and threw down his napkin. “Okay. I want to meet this guy. Then I’d be able to make a better determination.”
“I can’t just invite you over to hang out. I’m there to work.”
“C’mon. You know me better than that. I’m going to come home with you because you have to return something you took from my place by accident.”
I snorted into my coffee and signaled the server for the check. “Really? What the hell would that be?”
“I don’t know. A book. A sex toy. We’ll figure it out.”
I tossed a few bills and rose from the booth, rolling my eyes. “Hardly. And if you say anything like that to Ronan, you will pay for it later.”
Giving me a cocky smirk, Isaac patted my cheek. “Don’t promise me a good time, big boy, unless you’re willing to prove it.”
***
Ronan wasn’t up yet when we walked in, so Isaac strolled through the apartment. “Nice place.”
“Yeah. It’s a great apartment. I can see why Ronan wouldn’t want to move.”
Isaac plopped himself on the large sectional and stretched out his legs. “Why? Was he planning on it?”
“With the protesters hanging around outside, it’s a valid consideration. Although from what I know about how these people operate, they’d probably follow him wherever he went until they grew tired of it. They’ve been pretty relentless since his release, and though it seems to have quieted down, who knows for how long?”
“That sucks.” Isaac nodded. “I know it’s not the same thing, but I can kind of relate. When I did that movie about five years ago, I had fans parked outside the apartment building who’d rush me every time I came or went.”
“But they were there because they love you. These people want to hurt me. And have.”
At the sound of Ronan’s voice, I jumped out of my chair. “Oh, uh, sorry, Ronan. It’s still early, so I figured you’d be asleep.”
A surprisingly sweet smile curved his lips. “It’s fine. You’re allowed to have a life.” Uncertainty darkened his eyes, and his brows formed a question mark over heavy-lidded blue eyes. “Am I interrupting something personal? I heard voices and got curious.” He shifted his attention to Isaac, who sat silent, watching him. “Hi, I’m Ronan Michaels.”
“Isaac Seidel.” On his feet, Isaac held out a hand, and Ronan shook it. “I came to pick something up Gabriel took with him by accident when he left my place.”
“Well, don’t mind me. I’ll just get a cup of coffee and go back to bed.” Head down, he shuffled over to the kitchen to the espresso maker.
“You don’t have to leave, Ronan. It’s your apartment.” I scrambled to my feet, noting his slumped shoulders. There was an air of quiet certitude about him, as if he were sure I was leaving.
“You still live here.” His hands stilled over the Nespresso machine. “You’re entitled to your privacy too. You’re not on the clock yet.”
Iz ended up making the decision for both of us. “But I have to get home and crash. I’m just off tour and wanted to catch up with Gabriel. Walk me out?” He tipped his head. “Nice to meet you, Ronan.” Isaac was pretty cagey, and I had no idea if he’d had the time to form an opinion of Ronan.
“Yeah. Same.” It wasn’t hard to see the inner workings of Ronan’s mind and how he was trying to figure out my true relationship to Iz. Were we really just friends? Friends with benefits?
I turned my back on his frown, led Isaac outside, and waited with him by the elevator. “What do you think?”
It took Isaac a moment to reply. “I think you need to be careful.”
That wasn’t the answer I’d expected. “What’re you talking about? Of course I’m careful. He needs protection from people who don’t believe he’s paid enough for the crimes he allegedly committed. I still don’t believe it was him.”
The elevator came, and Isaac stepped inside the cab but held the door open. “I’m not talking about the job. You do what you have to do, and if it turns out that he did go to jail for someone else, that’s fucked up and I feel sorry for him. But there’s something more. The guy wants you. And that’s the dangerous part—separating the business from the pleasure.”
A stupid thrill ran through me at Isaac’s words. “You’re seeing shit that isn’t there. He’s my client. End of story.”
But Isaac hadn’t known me since seventh grade for nothing. “That poker face of yours works for everyone but me and maybe your mother. You’re interested in him too. Just be careful. I have no idea what Ronan Michaels wants, but I know you’re interested in forever.” He pointed at me. “Those marks on your neck weren’t made by someone else, were they? Who’re you fooling, me or yourself?”
Isaac let the door slide shut, but I remained in the hallway, thinking that over.
