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 memoreafter 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, youarenormal.” 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 notto 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.
