“So,” West said as he plopped down in front of me, “how’s Mr. FBI Agent?”
His voice shocked me out of my trance and my stomach hit the floor. “West? Wh-wh-what—”
He leaned forward, his gaze never wavering. “What in the absolute fuck are you doing here with a man like that, Chloe? And I swear, if you’re not fucking honest with me, I’ll make sure the club leaves you behind. Got that?”
My guard immediately went up. “Great, another group of people I’m disposable to. Nice to know where you stand.”
“It’s not my fault you're in cahoots with some fucking FBI agent. Are you feeding him information on us?”
My eyes widened. “What the hell kind of person do you think I am?”
“Well, I thought you were the kind of person who would listen since multiple lives are at stake, yet here we are with you proving me wrong. So, answer my questions or I’ll make damn sure you’re not welcome back at that warehouse.”
I folded my arms over my chest. “I needed some air.”
“With a federal agent?”
I chewed on the inside of my cheek. “I can’t talk about it.”
“You can, and you will.”
“No, West, I seriously can’t.”
He shrugged as he stood. “Nice knowing you, rat.”
I reached my hand out and snatched up his forearm as I quickly stood to my feet. “I am many things, West, but I’m no rat. What I do with Agent Baker extends well beyond your feeble understanding of my life and how I’ve lived it up until this point, because believe it or not, you and that crew of yours aren’t the end-all-be-all of my life. I had shit going on before you came into my world. Before your life and Frost’s life fucked up my life and Natty’s life and Lexi’s life. But don’t you dare come in here slinging around accusations when you’re pissed that the girl you want to get your dick wet with won’t listen to your measly commands.”
My eyes fluttered up to his gaze and the anger that filled me forced adrenaline through my veins.
“So, just this once, I’m going to give you what you want. But don’t you ever come for me the way you just did. You have no right, whether you’re protecting me or not, so don’t get it twisted. You hold no importance in my life at all, got that?”
He wrenched away from my grip. “You gonna start talking or what?”
I drew in a deep breath. “I’m helping the FBI with a corporate fraud case as well as a cybercrime bank heist case. End of story.”
“And how can I trust that you’re telling me the truth?”
I shrugged. “Sounds like a personal problem to me. Maybe you can try hacking my email, see if you find anything there.”
And after pinning him with one more glare, I snatched my things up and made my way to the front door.
Because I sure as hell didn’t need to deal with his accusations on top of everything else.
“You think this is safe for Lexi and Natty?” West called out after me.
I paused before I slowly turned around. “You want to talk? We can take it to the van. But you won’t shout my personal shit over the airwaves without me shouting yours. Got it?”
He stalked toward me. “That a threat?”
I craned my neck back to keep his gaze in view. “No more of a threat than what you just threw down.”
He grabbed my arm and dragged me out of the diner. “We need to talk, and you need to tell me everything.”
I allowed him to drag me out until we were outside, but then I ripped away from him. I made a mad dash for the van and heard him hot on my heels. I tried to open the door and get behind the wheel. If I could just crank up the engine, I could get away from him. Just drive away and be done with all of the bullshit. I had ways of falling off the grid. I had ways of covering my tracks so no one, not even the FBI, could find me. But West grabbed my hoodie and pulled me back before pressing me against the side of the van.
“Do you think this is a game!?” he roared.
I shoved him away. “Touch me again without my permission, and I’ll kill you without a second thought.”
