13. Vail

There was no doubt in my mind I needed to go to the doctor. The thought of doing so made me burrow deeper in bed. Tahoe whimpered next to me. I had to let him out so I couldn't lay here for too long.

I started feeling sick two days ago. Now I had the flu, thanks to Jordan. Well, thanks to me. I was the one who took him soup knowing he was sick.

I was determined to bring out another side of him. It was in there, buried beneath the murderous looks and cruel intentions. But he wasn't that way when he was with me. When we were alone, he was different, not so stiff and formal.

I was at his home preaching about eating well and taking vitamins. Where the fuck did that get me?

Groaning, I pushed the covers back and dropped one leg off the bed. It was a slow start, but it was something. Tahoe barked, then jumped from the bed, ready to go. Of course. He was tall with dark brown and black fur. One ear was up and the other was down. His tail was a weapon on its own with the way he wagged it. The lankiness he used to have as he grew was fading, and he filled out more. I kept forgetting to do the dog DNA test to figure out what he was. There was German shepherd in him for certain, but what else, I wasn't sure.

He barked again, telling me without words I was moving too slowly for his liking. This was going to be a do everything at once trip so I could climb back upstairs into bed for a while.

I hit the bathroom quick then went downstairs with Tahoe rushing ahead of me, trying to see if he could trip me. I grabbed my coat and his leash, bundling up before I opened the door. A pair of snow boots sat near the door, so I slipped them on.

The cold air was like a slap in the face the moment I was outside. Tahoe loved it and pulled me toward the patches of grass behind the house. It wasn't a lot, but it would have to do for now. I wasn't about to take him for a lengthy walk down the block so he could find the perfect spot to take a shit.

Luckily, he did his business, then sniffed a few areas where a cat or some other animal must have walked. My neighbor had two cats she let out during the day and brought in at night. They didn't mind the cold. Tahoe was always on their trail when he went out.

Back inside, I shivered and took my coat off. I should eat something, so I started rooting around in the fridge before grabbing yogurt. It would have to do. I also fed Tahoe.

The yogurt didn't even reach my mouth when there was a knock on the back door. Most people delivering packages stopped by the front. It made me pause, wondering who it was. I was still on the lookout for my ex. He was a free man, always escaping any charge they threw his way. Apparently, beating the shit out of me repeatedly wasn't enough to keep him locked away. At least I had the PFA against him. Because he already violated it once, I got it extended. I would give almost anything to see him locked up for good, but that wasn't my luck.

Looking through the peephole in the back door, I found one of Jordan's guards there. Reghan, if I remembered correctly. I glanced down at myself and really hoped Jordan wasn't with him. I didn't want to be seen by him like this. It shouldn't matter, but it did. More than my sick self wanted to evaluate at the moment.

"Reghan?" I asked when I opened the door, keeping my leg behind me so Tahoe couldn't push through. I could feel his wiggling like he wanted to get to the person outside and bathe them with kisses. "Does Jordan need something?"

"He's asked me to collect you and your dog and to take you to his home."

"What?"

"The dog, you, into the SUV." He thumbed over his shoulder to a black Lincoln Navigator with tinted windows idling in my driveway.

"I'm confused and cold. Can you come inside so I can shut the door?"

Reghan followed me and closed the door behind him, blocking out the frigid air. I was tall at six foot four. Reghan had a couple of inches on me. Tahoe didn't care how big he was and stared up at him while he waited for pets. "You're sick, right?" Reghan asked.

"Um, yes. How did you know?"

"I'll let you figure that out. The point is, Mr. Altair told me to come collect you so you can be taken care of at his home. He's responsible for getting you sick and would like to remedy it."

"How? He's not a doctor."

"No, but he has one ready to visit once you get there."

"What?"

"I'm sure you've gathered that Mr. Altair isn't a patient man, nor is he used to hearing the word no. If you'd please gather whatever you need for the next few days, as well as what your dog will need, that would be great." Tahoe barked. He'd had enough waiting. Reghan crouched in front of him so Tahoe could lick him and inspect him properly. Then the big, badass guard laughed. It was strange, yet it was a good sound. It let me know Reghan wasn't just the muscle. There was a person in there who smiled and laughed.

"Jordan doesn't need to take care of me." I sneezed to prove my point. At least my words were effective. Except they weren't and Reghan stood to hand me a tissue.

"You need to see a doctor. You also don't need to worry about the dog. When Latte goes out, your dog can go too."

"His name is Tahoe."

He nodded. "Is he friendly with other dogs?"

"He's fine with them. He's pretty happy all around." Except the one time he tried to break down the door to get to my ex, but I wasn't thinking about that right now.

"This will be easier if you willingly come with me."

That had my back straightening. When I left my ex, I vowed I wouldn't let anyone ever tell me what to do like he had. "I don't take orders from Jordan."

Reghan's shoulders relaxed, and he took a seat on one of the barstools at my kitchen counter. "Listen, Mr. Altair cares about you. I don't question him. There's something about you and…" He shook his head. "Humor me? I can't go back there without you, or he'll have my head. So, either you gather your things and get in the Lincoln with Tahoe, or I'll throw whatever shit of yours I think you'll need into a bag and I'll put you over my shoulder." He smiled to soften the threat. It was as effective as me saying I didn't need Jordan to take care of me then sneezing.

The thought of Reghan forcing me to leave had my body breaking out in a sweat. The other option was me going on my two feet. Also, who was I kidding? I liked being in Jordan's presence.

It would be nice to have someone help with Tahoe, but Jordan's home was so cold and sterile. I looked around my kitchen, at the dishes piled in the sink because I didn't have the energy to do them. It wouldn't be awful to be taken care of until I felt better. I'd get a nice view while recuperating.

"Fine," I agreed. "But on one condition."

"Name it."

"I need someone to clean my house. Leaving it like this isn't good, and I don't trust many people. I imagine Jordan vets everyone and can send someone here to tidy it." If I was leaving, then this needed to be handled.

He nodded. "Irene will come. She takes care of his home."

"Okay. Let me get my things."

Saying no to Jordan wasn't an option, but I also didn't like being forced. If I walked outside on my own, I maintained some sense of choice. At least that was what I told myself as I packed.

With everything in the bag, I quickly changed into sweatpants and a sweatshirt. I wasn't about to put jeans on, given how I felt. Sweats were more presentable than pajamas. Downstairs, I gathered a few things for Tahoe like his bowl, his container of food, and his bed.

"If you tell me what kind of food, we'll buy it," Reghan said.

"Why does he want me there so badly?"

"Between us, Mr. Altair doesn't handle guilt well. He feels responsible for you being sick and wants to make amends."

I sighed. There was no winning this one, which I already knew. My packed bag was proof of it. Reghan took my and Tahoe's things out to the SUV while I grabbed the leash and got Tahoe ready for a ride. He was so excited any time I mentioned taking him with me in my truck. I used to have a luxury sedan, but once I left my job in finance, I didn't want to drive it any longer. Tahoe fit much better in a pickup.

With my coat on, I scooped up my phone, wallet, and keys, and headed out the door, making sure to turn on the alarm and lock the door on the way out. The alarm I didn't want to have but did because of my ex. One day I wanted to feel safe again, like Gil wasn't going to come for me and drag me back into the hell I once lived through.

Tahoe jumped into the back seat of the SUV, ready to go, his tail wagging, and beating against the seat. I shut him in and took the front passenger seat. Tahoe's big head was between Reghan and me as he looked out the windshield. Reghan chuckled, giving him a pet before putting the SUV in reverse to leave.

The drive through the city wasn't short. It was almost noon on a Wednesday. People were grabbing food, running errands, and taking advantage of their lunch hour. I lived in a part of West Dremest where it was a little quieter due to it being residential. We were driving through the business district, with people walking everywhere and traffic backing up at each light.

Before long, we crossed the creek that separated the city and were firmly in Jordan's territory. I didn't mind it like I used to. Now that I kind of knew him, I wasn't afraid of him. Jordan was just a man like I was. Sure, he had way more money and power, but he still had to eat and shit like the rest of us.

Reghan handled the traffic like a pro, going down a few side streets to avoid the thick of it. We arrived at Jordan's building, one of them anyway, pulling into the garage below.

Reghan called two guards over when he exited the Lincoln to help carry things. I wanted to keep my bag and my dog with me. One of them cocked an eyebrow at me, but Reghan told him to leave it. Honestly, I didn't own a gun. I probably should have, given my situation. The idea of one in my hand didn't sit well with me. I wasn't a fighter or someone who felt the need to always protect myself. Yes, I knew how that sounded. After having the shit beat out of me repeatedly, I should know better. But I'd lived through a lot. I didn't want killing someone on my conscience, no matter how horrible they were.

So, I rescued Tahoe from a shelter, who turned out to be more of a lover than a protector, though he didn't like Gil. And I had the alarm system in my house now, thanks to Greer, who was a tech genius. It helped me feel more protected after the last time Gil showed up.

But Jordan's building… There was nothing like it. I didn't worry here. There was no way Gil would get inside. If he did, they'd handle him. Jordan hadn't been taken down yet. My asshole ex wasn't going to do the job. I didn't doubt Gil kept tabs on me. Maybe he knew I was here, maybe not. Either way, one thing was certain. Jordan wouldn't let him near me.

Dexen had done a thorough background check on me before I started working at his club. Jordan probably did the same. I wouldn't hold it against him if he did. A man like him had to cover his bases. He was inviting me into his home for who knew how long. He'd find out I didn't own or use a gun. There were none registered to me. I wasn't someone who typically went outside the law. Not that it helped me when I needed Gil locked up.

The elevator took us to the top floor. Tahoe was skittish, not liking the movement. My hand stayed on top of his head, soothing him the best I could. When the elevator doors opened, he tried to rush out. Luckily, I had a firm grip on his leash.

Jordan was there to greet me with his usual indifferent look on his face and his suit covering him. His eyes never left mine, not to look at Tahoe, or to Reghan, who carried some of our things.

A cough drew my attention to the living room where a man sat. I had to do a double take. Was it really him? I hadn't seen him in years. He'd really grown up, but I still recognized him.

My mouth dropped open. "Hartley?"

He turned to fully face me. "Vail?"