19. Jordan

It was my fault, as usual. I chased Vail away after confessing I wanted him, then climbing on top of Hartley. I lost all fucking sense and locked myself away. I couldn't get a grip on my emotions. And then Vail left. I had to stay with him as long as I could. The last time I'd driven myself anywhere was years ago. Albert was livid when I returned, saying he couldn't do his job when I took off. The thing was, I didn't want Albert to drive Vail. I needed to do it.

"If you continue growling, sir, I'm going to take you to the zoo," Albert stated from the front seat.

"If you take me there, you won't leave," I threatened. Albert had been with me long enough to know when I was in a mood, which I was.

After I returned from dropping off Vail, Hartley said he was leaving as well. He thought it was a good idea since Vail had gone. At least Vail had a warm home with an alarm system. Hartley's looked one strong gust of wind away from the windows falling in. They wouldn't. Apparently, I exaggerated when it came to them.

"Fuck's sake," I grumbled.

"Why don't you kill someone when you get to the meeting? That always makes you feel better. If not, at least make someone bleed." How Albert said it with a straight face and calm tone was anyone's guess.

"I'm supposed to negotiate the next major run with him. There's no reason for me to kill him."

"There's always a reason." And that was why I kept him around. Not only would he fight for me, but he understood me.

"Maybe he has a guard who will look at me wrong."

"Just get to them before Raiden does. He's been in a fucking mood."

Ever since Alton came by to check Hartley before he left, Raiden was on a warpath. He even chewed out his brother. Usually, they said a few words, and that was it. I was certain they talked more when I wasn't around, but in front of me it was minimal.

"Do you think he has feelings for Alton?" I asked.

"Didn't Dr. Keeley put him back together the last time a bullet tore through his side?"

"He did. He even stayed with him overnight."

Albert hummed. It made sense. But what happened between them yesterday to put him in such a shitty mood? Maybe it was that he wouldn't see Alton again for a while, or maybe Alton said something Raiden didn't like.

I pulled up Raiden's contact information on my phone and shot him a text.

Me: I don't know what your issue is but leave it in the car. I can't have you fucking anything up.

There was still a chance I would do something, but that was on me. If Raiden fucked up, it was on me too.

Raiden: Yes, sir.

Sheldon was probably trying to calm him down. He was driving the car behind us, where Raiden was.

We pulled up to the warehouse, well outside of the city, in a smaller business district. The parking lot was half full and workers milled about on their lunch hour. They didn't give us a passing glance. It made me wonder how many people in Maseratis drove to their place of work.

Albert parked in the back, and the two vehicles of muscle with us flanked mine. Albert and two guards would stay here while Raiden and Sheldon came inside with me. This was nothing more than working out a new deal. There shouldn't be bloodshed, as much as I hoped I had a reason to slit Connor's throat. I shouldn't. He was a buyer who I made money from. The urge to make someone bleed was strong though. I had to work Vail and Hartley out of my system. Since I had no interest in fucking anyone but them, that meant someone needed to bleed by my hand. Working out didn't help. Neither did trying to sleep.

"Easy," Sheldon whispered from my left. If Raiden would have said it, I would have punched him. Sheldon was very in tune with my moods and knew if I went inside like this, I wouldn't get the deal.

A guard waited to escort us to a meeting room. For being in a warehouse, the room we were taken to was much nicer than I expected. The table was expertly polished wood without a scuff on it. The chairs were black leather, and the room had no windows. Paintings adorned the walls, and not the cheap shit that could be bought anywhere. I recognized some of the artists. These cost a pretty penny. Or they were stolen. Either way, it wasn't my business.

"Mr. Altair," a man with white hair and matching scruff greeted with his hand extended. Connor was only forty-three so either his hair changed that color early, or he dyed it for the shock factor. I'd seen enough shit in my day. White hair was nothing. Maybe he thought he'd get respect with it. I paid more attention to his suit than his hair. The cut fit him well and there was something about the lines that looked familiar.

"Where did you get your suit?" It wasn't a greeting, per se. At least I didn't hurt him.

"This? I had it made for me a while back. The designer wasn't able to finish my last one. I asked for a full refund with interest. I had waited far too long. Hartley Weathers, do you know him? I wouldn't recommend him. Too slow."

There was my hair trigger rearing its ugly head. My hand shot out, but instead of gripping his throat, I fisted his lapel. "The only time his name should be on your lips is if you're praising him for his excellent work. If it's anything else, don't speak of him."

His men moved to flank him, as did mine to me. I saw Sheldon shake his head at the guards so they wouldn't move. "All I did was complain about the suit. What, are you fucking him?"

"Okay," Sheldon cut in with his calm voice before I murdered Connor. He pried my fingers off Connor. "Some ground rules. There's no mention of Mr. Weathers or who Mr. Altair may or may not be fucking. You two are going to sit at opposite sides of the table and hash out this deal, then move on with your lives." He wedged himself between us, so we did as he said. If Sheldon wasn't here, I probably would have taken my knife or gun out. Raiden would have helped. I could feel the anger pouring off him.

Connor straightened his jacket and sat. I did the same. "My apologies," he stated. "I wasn't aware Mr. Weathers provided your suits as well. I won't sully his name again. Now, let's get down to business."

I laid out what I had to offer him and for what price. I was tempted to raise it due to him being an asshole, but I let it be. Connor looked over the proposal a bit too long. This wasn't new territory for me. When someone hesitated to close a deal, they had tells. They'd rub their chin or lean back in their seat. There were many of them. Connor had taken to tapping his pen on the table. If he kept it up, I was going to jab him in the fucking eye with it.

"I've had a similar offer, but for less than what you're asking. Why should I buy from you and not them?"

"Who gave you the offer?"

"I'm not privy to say."

I cocked an eyebrow. "Need I remind you that guns aren't the only goods you buy from me? If you want guns, you buy mine or every other deal we have is gone." I didn't need him. In fact, I didn't need anyone. I had more money than I would ever require. The people in my organization would be paid for life and I'd still have plenty to spare.

"I had a feeling you'd say that, which is why I prefer to stay with you. However, the other price is significantly lower. There has to be a way we can meet in the middle." He told me what the other seller wanted.

"If I drop my offer, it won't be to that level. And I'd expect you to give me the name of the supplier. No one cuts in on my business without paying a price." I already had an idea who it was. He said he wouldn't try to take my business, yet here he was, attempting to undercut me.

"Name your price."

I did, and he accepted. Leeland's name then fell from his lips. I snapped my fingers and Raiden immediately pressed his phone to his ear. He'd call Kayli to find Leeland and deliver him to me. But not yet. I liked to make them sweat.

"You have to give Leeland an answer, yes?" I asked.

"I do."

"When you decline his offer, I'd like you to tell him who you went with. He's about to learn a painful lesson."

"Will do."

"For your cooperation and the vow you made not to speak poorly of Mr. Weathers, I will sweeten the deal and add a little extra to your order."

A smile tipped his lips upward as he stood. "Mr. Altair, it's always a pleasure doing business with you."

I stood and shook his hand. "You as well. Your shipment will be on time, as usual."

"I don't doubt it. I'll deliver the message of who I chose."

Nodding, I bid him goodbye and headed out into the bright sunlight.

"How long?" Raiden asked, the phone still to his ear.

"Three days." Any longer and Leeland would do something stupid. This gave him time to worry himself into a knot. He knew he couldn't run from me. "I want a man on him at all times."

I would have put someone on Hartley had there not already been one there. Connor would sign his life away if he stepped wrong toward Hartley. He wasn't foolish enough to do so.

The drive back to my building was in silence. Albert didn't offer ways for me to work out my aggression. Threatening Connor was enough to hold me over until I got my hands on Leeland. Once I got through with him, I was taking his entire inventory, and he wouldn't walk away. I gave him a chance to do the right thing. There would be no second warning.

Raiden and Sheldon followed me into the elevator of my building. It let Sheldon out on the eighth floor before continuing to my home. Raiden took up his post while I froze in the living room, Tahoe's bed a stark reminder of who was no longer here.

I wanted Vail and Hartley in my home every day and every night. I wanted their laughter and their company. The way they lifted the mood just by being here.

Vail heard me when I said I'd do better. He told me he'd be there the next time I came by. How long did I have to wait until I could see him again? What was the protocol here?

I had a sudden urge to see Vail.

Me: Is Vail working right now?

I didn't know what the shifts were at Untouchable. Instead of asking Vail directly, I went to Dexen.

Dexen: Ask him yourself if you're curious.

Anyone else, I would have severed a muscle in their leg.

Me: I'll be visiting your club tonight.

The phone rang immediately. Dexen's name was on the screen.

"Yes?" I answered.

"You're not coming here."

"Why not? You're living with my son. I should have been to your club before, yet I haven't."

"Fuck no. You're going to freak out the members and the staff."

"Fine, then tell me if Vail's working and I'll wait for him outside until he's done with his shift."

"He's finished at three." In the morning. I didn't require clarification.

"I'll be there."

"Don't make me regret this."

I hung up. Vail was on the agenda tonight. I needed him in front of me again. Once I had him pliant beneath me, in my snare, I'd go after Hartley.

They were mine and I didn't want them anywhere else than with me.

It wasn't right. It wasn't smart. But I had zero fucks left to give.