“It’s what I know. Tell him he’ll get my answer soon. But on my timescale. Not his.”
Jax exhales, his fingers tapping a slow rhythm on the armrest. “How about a peace offering then?”
Broadway crosses his arms over his chest as if he’s trying to tie his hands before one of them accidentally finds Jax’s jaw at full speed. “A peace offering?”
“Vaughn’s been in touch with Noretto.”
That gets everyone’s full attention.
Carter’s hand stills as he sets his glass down. “Has he?”
“Yeah, he reached out a few days ago. Wanted help, which is desperate even by his diminishing standards. Noretto refused, but Vaughn’s planning something. That much is clear.”
The mention of Vaughn has me checking the screen for Bianca. She’s chatting with Hailey, her smile soft but shoulders a little tense.
“What kind of help did Vaughn want?” Carter asks.
“Nothing specific.” Jax shrugs. “He said he had unfinished business. Noretto refused, but he won’t be Vaughn’s last call. If he’s desperate enough to reach out to us, he’ll reach out to somebody else. Somebody who won’t say no.”
“Grey,” Broadway supplies, pouring himself another drink. “If Vaughn gets Grey on his side—”
“He won’t,” Carter interrupts. “Vaughn has nothing to offer Grey. At least nothing Grey couldn’t take by force.”
Koby shifts in his seat, his knee bouncing furiously, eyes locked on Leilani’s face on the monitor. He hasn’t said a word since Jax walked in, silently stewing ten feet away from me.
Leilani sits with our girls but doesn’t participate in their conversation. She’s fidgeting, her glass of wine untouched.
I’m not the only one who notices Koby’s on the verge of losing his cool. Sweat beads at his hairline like he’s fighting an internal battle and getting a kicking.
Carter follows his gaze, expression hardening when Koby runs a shaky hand down his face. “What’s her deal?” he asks Jax.
“Excuse me?”
“Leilani.” Her name has Koby’s head snapping toward his boss. “She looks like she’s about to bolt. She’s uncomfortable. Has been since you got here. I don’t like it.”
Jax’s smirk doesn’t falter, but there’s a sharpness to it now. “She’s okay.”
“She doesn’t look okay,” I pipe in. “She looks scared.”
“Your reputation precedes you, Willard.” Jax ignores me. “Leilani knows about Aalyiah. She knows you killed Rhett and what you’re capable of. She might not look like much but don’t let that sweet packaging fool you. She’s smart. Smart enough to fear powerful men. She’s fidgety because we’re here.”
“Bullshit,” Broadway clips. “She flinches whenyouget close, not Carter. We don’t do business with men who beat up women.”
Jax’s low, almost mocking laugh cuts out. “You knownothingabout her, or me, so do yourself a favor and don’t get in the fucking middle. Worry about your woman, not mine.”
The short exchange has no effect on Koby.
Well, no positive effect. He stiffens further, his jaw clenching so hard I hear his teeth grinding. He’s staring at Leilani, fists clenched so tightly his knuckles pale.
I wonder if Jax has noticed, or if he’s too busy posturing.
Better he doesn’t notice. He seems as possessive over Leilani as Carter is with Hailey.
“You came here for an answer,” Carter says, resting his elbows on the desk. “You’ll get one soon. Now,leave.”
Jax’s relaxed posture stiffens. He gets to his feet, brushing invisible lint from his suit jacket. “The clock’s ticking. The sooner you decide your next move, the better for everyone.”
He strides out, the door closing behind him with a soft click. Broadway collapses into the chair Jax vacated, rubbing a hand down his face.
