The guy’s face pales. He nods quickly and falls silent. I drop him to the floor. I’m tempted to follow through on my promise anyway—drivers can always be replaced—-because fuck anyone who thinks they can mouth off to me.
Except her.
Or maybe especially her.
My dad goes on about the job and the stakes while I cool off. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Baron studying me. He knows me. He knows me better than anyone, other than Maverick and my own mother. My mother, of course, isn’t a part of these conversations. She doesn’t like knowing much about this side of things other than the level of danger we are in so she knows which poker face to wear to the cocktail parties and how hard to pray over me when she goes to bed at night.
On the flip side, Maverick isn’t a part of meetings of this caliber. While we see him as family, he’s a loose cannon. A liability. And my dad doesn’t trust him.
I know what Baron is thinking. Or what he is trying to figure out at least. He knows something is on my mind. Something that’s making me short with people, distracting me from the job at hand, and putting me on a knife’s edge about it. It’s bad enough that I think this job is a risk. But to be dealing with Amara in the middle of it, well. I wouldn’t recommend that combination to anyone.
My dad takes the opportunity to talk to the drivers about the details of their jobs for the hundredth time. The first run was successful, but they could do better. While he roasts them, Baron pulls me aside.
My eyes are on the white brick wall of inventory from the first run. My mind, however, is about thirty minutes away in a one-bedroom penthouse with a view of Staten Island.
“Everything alright, boss?” Baron’s voice comes from behind me.
“Fine.”
“You seem… frustrated.”
“I said I’m fine,” I snap.
I’m not trying to be a dick. Baron is the definition of good people, but even so, I don’t like being pushed.
“Let me guess. You’ve got a woman on the brain.”
“Barry…” I warn him.
“I can see it on your face, Cuz. You’re being tormented. Women will do that.”
I want to tell him to fuck off. That it’s none of his business. To focus on the job and leave my personal life to me.
On the other hand, Amaraisdriving me crazy.
“It’s my assistant,” I finally admit.
“Figured as much.” I shoot him a glare. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
Baron gives me a knowing look. “She really stirred things up at the party.”
“Yeah, well, you won’t have to worry about that again. I’m working on teaching her the etiquette.”
“So you’re invested,” he concludes.
“It’s complicated.”
Baron nods slowly. “And you’re sure she’s worth it?”
I turn to face him. “Are you questioning my choices?”
“No. But I am questioning your motives.” I stare at him, but he goes on. “Listen, I get it. She’s a lovely girl, don’t get me wrong. If I had to guess, she has substance, too. More than Jenica. But Jenica is the logical path.”
“Jenica was chosenforme.”
“There are rules to becoming apakhan,” he unnecessarily reminds me.
“And you’re making the assumption I plan on following those rules.”
