11. Jordan

All the cold medicine had initially done was make me feel spacey, though it helped with the cough and a tad with the congestion. I also called my doctor. Alton came over and tested me for the flu. Sure enough, that was what I had. He also gave me an antiviral which was supposed to help.

I wasn't letting the flu take me down.

A coughing fit began, and I forgot what I was thinking. Fucking post-nasal drip. Fucking flu.

Reghan was there with a glass of water. He'd somehow skipped the illness and wasn't afraid of getting it from me. When I drank something, it helped with the tickle in my throat. At least I put my slacks and button-down on today. Maybe there was something to Tristan asking me about what I relaxed in at home. I'd told him boxer briefs. I didn't own sweatpants. If I wanted to relax in my home, I did so barely clothed. That was also when I didn't have anyone in here. I wasn't waving my cock around in front of the twins or anyone else who didn't need to see it.

Latte came running over and stopped to stare at me. Apparently coughing was a reason for alarm and she needed to make sure I was okay. That was the exact time my phone started vibrating with an incoming call.

Romeo's name appeared on the screen.

"Yes?" I answered, sounding like complete shit.

"Are you sick?"

"No, I smoked eight packs overnight."

"Sarcasm doesn't suit you."

"It does."

"I just called to check in on my girl."

Looking at her, Latte sat and peered up at me like she was expecting food. "She saved me from coughing and now wants a reward."

"Maybe you should call your doctor."

"I did. I have the flu, and I'm medicated now."

"I'm sure he told you to rest, but we both know how that will go." Not well. I didn't listen to anyone. Except Alton, and only on occasion.

"Sir?" Reghan cut in.

I glanced at him while Romeo started telling me about buying a humidifier and how it would help with the dry air in my home.

"Vail is downstairs," Reghan said.

I nearly dropped the phone. "Why?"

"Because you need to make sure you're breathing better," Romeo stated. "Fuck's sake, Jordan. I give half a shit about you."

Sighing, I said, "Not you. I was talking to Reghan. Someone's here."

"Okay, but I'm ordering you a humidifier and a thermometer. Actually, Tris is doing it. It will be there this afternoon."

"I'm thrilled." He huffed, which caused me to sigh again. "Thank you."

"Was that so hard?"

"As a matter of fact, I'm getting better at being… kind. So no, it wasn't."

"Go handle your next torture victim while coughing on them. Send me a pic of Latte later and kiss her head for me." I peered down, knowing I'd do nothing of the sort. I didn't want dog hair on my lips. Just the thought made me cringe.

"Goodbye, Romeo. Tell Caius he better be doing his job. I heard about the fan who got too close," I growled. Caius was Dash, Romeo, and Tristan's bus driver while on tour. He was also one of my guards who was damn good at his job. Normally. If he slipped up again, I'd send someone to put him in a body bag.

"She was high as a damn kite. I don't know how she moved so fast, but he took care of her."

"As he should. That's what I'm paying him for." And I was the one paying him. Not the band's label. They'd never hire someone as skilled as I would.

"Goodbye, Jordan."

I hung up and focused on Reghan. "Why is Vail here?" I would like to see him again, just not when I was in this condition.

"He brought you something. He said he heard you were sick and has soup."

"Soup?"

He shrugged.

"How does he… Dexen," I muttered. Dexen texted me and asked how I was doing after everything was said between Jordan and me. I mentioned the germ spreading that was going on and how I caught it. He must have asked Vail to bring me soup. I didn't want it if he was told to come here by Dexen. The gesture was nice, but it also stung for some unknown reason. If Vail was going to visit, I wanted him to because he desired to see me.

I must have another fever. There was no other way to explain the shit I was thinking. Moving to the couch, I sat down and dropped my head back. If the antiviral wasn't working, I was going to burn the flu out of my system with alcohol, whether it was good to do so or not.

"Should I let him up?" Reghan asked. Fuck, I forgot he was waiting for an answer.

"Make sure he knows I have the flu. I wouldn't want him to get sick." He drove down here. I might as well see him. From a distance.

It was quiet for a few minutes until the elevator arrived. Latte decided she was suddenly guard dog material and sounded the alarm at our intruder. It lasted all of five seconds. Once she saw Vail and he started talking sweetly to her, she remembered she was just a ball of fluff and went to him with her tail wagging.

Vail placed a cooler on the floor and hung his coat up before bending down to pay attention to her. It was sweet. Vail was sweet.

No, there was no reason for me to think about him in any way. Same with Hartley. I was losing my mind to think about anyone.

"Jordan, are you okay?" Vail asked.

I must have closed my eyes because when I opened them, he was standing in front of me. Jeans hugged his thighs. The navy Henley he wore did nothing to hide the muscle he had beneath it. But it was his face I was drawn to. A shadow of scruff lined his jaw while his eyebrows drew together in concern. He reached for my head, but I ducked away and got to my feet.

"What are you doing?" I asked. "You shouldn't be near me. I'm contagious."

"I'm not worried about catching it. I have a good immune system. You might have a fever. Let me check."

"By using your hand? They have thermometers for that."

"Do you have one?"

"No." Apparently one was on its way.

He lifted his hand again. This time, I let him put it to my forehead. His fingers were cold from being outside. They soothed my inner turmoil more than my flu-ridden head with their simple touch. "You feel warm." He dropped his hand.

"Your hand is cold."

"It's a solid guess."

I needed to get back to why he came. "What did Dexen tell you to bring me?"

"Dexen didn't ask me to do anything. I overheard him talking to JJ. He mentioned you weren't feeling well, so last night when I was finished at the club, I went to the store and bought the ingredients needed to make soup this morning. It's been cooking for hours and was finally ready. I thought I'd bring it over." Dexen didn't send him. Vail was working and heard him talking. He wanted to make it for me because he was sweet. Fucking hell.

"That was very nice of you. I apologize for assuming Dexen had sent you."

"Don't. It's the logical conclusion. I wasn't certain if you'd want to see me. We'd only met once, and it wasn't the best night."

"The food you made was amazing. I have no doubt the soup will be as well. As far as our meeting, the only thing that matters is that we did meet. You heard a lot that night, more than most will ever know about me."

"I'd never tell a soul."

"I know. I'm saying I rarely pour my heart out. My son… It was time."

"You don't see yourself as a good dad, but you are. What you did for him, letting him believe you were the villain, that took a lot of courage and self-sacrifice."

"I'm not a good man."

"Maybe not always, but you are sometimes."

A smile twitched my lips.

Latte took the opportunity to put her nose to the cooler to attempt to get inside, pushing it across the floor toward us.

Vail chuckled and lifted it from the floor to take it into the kitchen. "I wanted to keep it stable in my truck. Most of it is cold since I'd packed it and stored it in the fridge prior to coming, but I kept one serving hot in case you wanted to eat it when I got here."

"That was thoughtful of you." If he didn't leave soon, I was going to get used to someone other than Irene caring for me. My parents were both deceased, not that either of them was ever overly loving with my brother and me. They saw me start to build my empire, but they weren't around long after. Neither were quiet about their disapproval of what I did. Lucky for me, I didn't care about their approval.

Vail grinned as he lifted the containers out of the cooler. "I'm going to put these in the fridge, if that's okay."

"It's fine."

I felt the sneeze coming, so I grabbed a tissue from the box on the counter to sneeze away from him.

"Bless you," he said.

"That's unnecessary but thank you."

"It's what you say when someone sneezes. I'm not sure why."

"I don't know either." I threw the tissue away and washed my hands at the sink. "You don't have to stay. I wouldn't want you getting sick. It's spreading like the fucking plague around here. How Reghan and his brother haven't caught it is beyond me."

"Vitamins, low-sugar diet, lots of greens, and good water intake," Vail said. "Oh, and the flu vaccine if you don't already get it."

I cocked an eyebrow. "Any other words of wisdom you'd like to share?"

His lips pressed closed for a few seconds as he glanced to where Reghan stood, and chuckled. "I couldn't do it."

"Do what?"

"Call you sir and shut up if you looked at me a certain way."

"I assure you, if I looked at you like I do at him, you'd know the reason behind it and would act accordingly."

"Maybe, but I've been down the road of a controlling ex and never want to visit it again."

I planted my hands on the counter and leaned toward him as sudden anger coursed through me. I didn't do a background check on Vail before, because Dexen had. Now I knew my mistake, one I would rectify. "Tell me, is this ex still alive and if so, where can I find him?" No one should harm a man as sweet as Vail.

He shook his head. "I don't want you anywhere near him. Besides, he has friends in high places."

"Mine are higher." I gave him a smile that showed I was serious. It wasn't friendly in the least.

Vail placed his hand over one of mine on the counter. "Jordan, it's kind of you, but he's not worth the energy. One day, he'll be taken from this earth in a way he deserves. Karma's a bitch. His turn is coming."

I hummed. "Karma can be me. I can take him out swiftly."

"Please don't. He's not worth it."

His hand was still covering mine, so I turned mine over and took his into it. His beautiful eyes widened at the movement, but I held firm. "No one should ever harm you. If you feel you're in danger, I want you to call me immediately. Not the police. I can get there faster and inflict much more pain." I made a mental note to give him my number before he left.

"You sound like Dex."

"He's another man not to be fucked with."

"Matters can be solved without violence."

"They can, but from what I'm gathering, he hurt you. He should pay for that."

He stepped closer, bringing his other hand up to encase mine between both of his. "Jordan," he whispered, his eyes briefly dropping to my lips before lifting. "He's in my past where I need him to stay. Please."

I nodded, although I made no promises. I'd find out who this man was, memorize what he looked like, and if I saw him in the street, direct Albert to run him over with my fucking Maserati. That was, if I was in the car. If not, I had a gun with a bullet in it saved for him.