I dart a quick glance at him. He’s reclaimed his seat beside Koby, his arm draped over the back of his chair, the relaxed posture a big fat lie. His hungry eyes flick toward me, his jaw tight, his fists clenching and unclenching on the armrest.
“I’m not glowing,” I argue, though my heated skin says otherwise. “Violet’s glowing. How are you feeling, anyway?”
“You think you can change the subject that easily?”
Before I can answer, the atmosphere shifts. A subtle unmistakable ripple of tension rolls through Ryder, Broadway, Koby, and Ryder, their attention on the VIP entrance. I look across, a boulder settling in my stomach.
Jax Hall strides in, the jagged scar on his throat a reminder of how close Carter came to killing him. Ryder’s told me the story, but he refused to share the details of their meeting last week.
Leilani’s right beside Jax, her shoulders hunched, hands clasped in front of her like she’s bracing for impact. She’s wearing a beige babydoll dress that makes her look even more fragile. Her ink-black hair spills over her shoulders, wide brown eyes darting nervously around the room.
“She looks worse than last time,” Violet points out. “She’s sweet, but she looks terrified.”
“Look at Koby,” Hailey whispers.
I’ve got used to his easygoing smirk, permanently fixed in place like it’s tattooed there, but it’s nowhere in sight tonight. His entire body draws taut, back straight, hands gripping the armrests of his chair, eyes locked on Leilani. He stares, unblinking, and shudders when Jax places a hand on the small of her back, guiding her forward.
“He’s... intense,” I say.
“He was like that last week too,” Violet whispers. “He looks ready to beat seven kinds of shit out of Jax.”
She’s not wrong. Koby leans forward, his jaw tight, murder on his mind when Leilani flinches as Jax leans down to whisper something in her ear.
I sip my drink as if the wine might counteract the unease rooting itself to my bones. Leilani looks around, our eyes locking for a second. I offer her a small smile. Judging by the way her shoulders curl inward you’d think I’d slapped her.
“Do you think Jax hurts her?” Hailey asks quietly. “He wasn’t particularly cruel when I was at Noretto’s.”
“I don’t know,” Violet admits. “I wouldn’t put it past him.”
Hailey sighs, her gaze ping-ponging between Koby and Leilani. “This won’t end well. Something’s brewing between Jax, Noretto, and Carter. I don’t know what, but Koby needs to get his shit together. He can’t act until there’s a plan, and Iknowthere isn’t one yet because Carter’s been jittery all week.”
“I don’t think he can sit on the sidelines much longer,” Violet muses. “He doesn’t look like he’ll remain seated for long. I don’t think it’ll take much for him to snap.”
Hailey cringes. “I don’t like it when Koby snaps.”
“Why?” I ask.
“You thought Broadway’s head-cutting stunt was terrifying? Wait till you see Koby lose it.”
My stomach twists at the memory. Somehow, I can’t think of anything worse than gifting your girlfriend, the soon-to-be mother of your child, a severed head. I check on Ryder and find him already watching me.
He gives me a faint smile—inaudible reassurance—then he and the other men rise to their feet while Leilani stilettoes toward our table.
Koby’s eyes trace her every move.
36
Ryder
Jax folds himself into a chair in front of Carter’s desk, legs spread wide, arms draped over the sides of the chair like he owns the fucking place.
The guy gets under my skin. The way he moves, the way he snorts, the way he breathes... everything about him begs me to show him his place. Preferably with my fist.
“You’ve had a week,” he says, weighing every word. “Blaze wants answers. Beats me why, but he’s ignoring my advice about this being the wrong play.”
Carter leans back, swirling his whiskey before taking a sip. “You’re in no position to demand answers. Blaze needs me more than I need him.”
“That what you think?”
