“Are you insane?” I snap. “That’s not long enough. I am making progress, and in another two or three weeks, I will have the intel we need to take The Sainthood down. We can coordinate a planned attack and take them out in one fell swoop. They won’t know what’s hit them.”
“I’m all out of patience, and we have a new plan.”
“What plan?” I rub a tense spot between my brows. I have the motherfucker of all hangovers, bruised ribs, and a beat-up face after the party last night. It became a free-for-all, so I didn’t even get to do much damage to those Sainthood assholes, but at least it felt good to beat the shit out of a few frat boys.
“We’re setting up an ambush. A decoy deal to bring them to the surface. Then we’ll bury them for good.” Marwan clamps a firm hand down on my shoulder. “Don’t worry. You’ll get a chance to redeem yourself. We’ll expect you at the fight, and you’ll handle the transition on campus. Manage that and you’ll get your meeting.”
This is such bullshit, but there’s no point protesting. “When is it going down?”
“You’ll receive a message soon.”
I stomp off, infuriated that I’m at a disadvantage. If that Westbrook bitch had just played ball, I could have the upper hand right now. I know she knows everything. She could have gotten me the intel. I considered using Ash to do my dirty work. But writing off her IOU for something so mundane isn’t appealing. I felt sure I could charm Harlow fucking Westbrook into giving up the goods, but wouldn’t you know she is the one woman on the planet immune to my charms.
Getting on my bike, I drive a few miles down the coast and park at the far side of the docks. I walk along the promenade, sitting on a bench that faces the ocean. My actions last night weren’t smart, and I’m losing my cool. The longer this goes on, the more desperate I become. Burying my head in my hands, I will the burning pain in my chest to go away. But I know it won’t. Not unless…
My cell pings, dragging me out of my inner depression. It’s not my normal cell. It’s the burner one my tech friend scored for me. I swipe the screen and answer immediately. “You better have answers for me,” I grunt into the phone.
“Well, some asshole got up on the wrong side of bed today,” Xavier says. “Let’s try this again.”
He hangs up, and I briefly consider throwing my phone over the railing into the ocean. Silently counting to ten, I redial his number when I’m a little less manic. “Hey,” I say in my least grumpy voice when the line connects.
“Hey?” Xavier scoffs. “That’s all you’ve got for me? A hey? Pathetic, dude.”
“Bro, seriously, can we not do this today?” Xavier is a crazy fucker, and normally I buzz off him, but I’m feeling low right now, and I’m not in the mood to fuck around.
He drops it, clearly picking up on my tone. “Talk to me. What’s going on?”
“I’m not making any progress, and Mom has been getting on my case. She wants to give up. She thinks it’s too late. It’s like she’s all loved up now, and it doesn’t matter anymore.”
“I’m sure that’s not true, man. It’s a stressful situation for both of you, and it’s been years.”
“I won’t give up. I can’t.”
“I know, and it’s why I have been helping you.”
“I appreciate it. I know you’re some big hotshot now with your own company and a fuck ton of VIP clients who actually pay you, and I’m just the pain in your ass who expects your expertise for free.”
“No, that would be Sawyer.”
I convulse with laughter, and it’s the first time in days my mood has lightened. “How is your new husband?”
“Fine as fuck and horny as fuck. I hope the honeymoon period never ends.”
“Good for you, man. I’m glad you’re happy.”
“What about you? Has your spectacular new stepsister caved to your charms yet?”
“She’s halfway there. I’m working on it.”
“Put her on a call with me. I’ll tell her you’re one of the good guys.”
I crack up laughing again. “Yeah, she’d never believe that, and I’ve given her no reason to.”
“Boo. I hope you’re not being mean to sweet Ashley.”
“May I remind you you’ve never even met her. Sweet is not the word I’d use to describe Ashley Shaw.”
“Oh, that reminds me. Did you know Ashley is Sydney’s cousin?”
