25. Jordan

The elevator dinged, drawing me from grabbing a taste of the meal Irene was preparing for tonight. Vail offered to cook, but I wanted him with me, by my and Hartley's side, not in the kitchen where he couldn't be an active part of dinner or the conversation. Vail wouldn't have minded, but I would have.

A bark from upstairs told me Latte was less than pleased not to be included in our gathering. Raiden had already taken her out and would again as we wrapped up dinner. This way she could say hello to everyone, get to lick their faces, then she'd hopefully be content back in the room for a bit.

My entire body relaxed when the elevator doors opened to reveal Vail. They were both in my home, Hartley and Vail. I had to find a way to get Vail to live here for good. I didn't want to cage him like that piece of shit did. The desire to always have him where I knew he was safe was strong. I also wanted him in bed with Hartley and me every night.

"Vail," I said and walked toward him. He looked handsome in a pair of black slacks and a fitted hunter green sweater. The weave of the fabric was small and did everything to complement his physique. "I'm glad you could make it."

He stopped a breath away, placing his hand gently on my chest, not to push me, but to touch me. "I told you I want to be with you. Having dinner with your family is important. I wouldn't miss it."

I was about to press a kiss to his lips when I heard Hartley's shoes on the stairs. "Vail, it's great to see you again." Hartley had told me he hadn't heard from him since they were last here.

Turning, I saw the genuine smile on Hartley's face. My eyes dropped to his blush-colored, long-sleeved shirt that moved in tiny waves as the air rippled around him when he walked. The V in the neck didn't plunge low, but enough where I could see a smattering of hair on his chest. His slacks were a slim cut, hugging his thighs and ass, which I certainly stared at as he stepped just past me to hug Vail.

"Hey, Hart," Vail said softly. He brushed a piece of Hartley's hair back, letting his fingers trace behind Hartley's ear and down his neck. Hartley shivered and leaned forward like he couldn't help himself. I knew the feeling all too well.

"Sir," Raiden interrupted. "Your son and the others are on their way up."

I nodded. Hartley and Vail both looked my way, waiting for direction. I wasn't sure how this night would go. The last time Jordan saw me with a partner was his mother, and that ended in death. Vail and Hartley both wanted me, but what were we? It felt so childish to even think about. I had to introduce them as something.

Before I could say anything, the elevator chimed. Vail stepped to my right while Hartley stayed on my left, shoulder to shoulder, we faced the elevator.

Jordan was the first to exit, Dexen and Greer flanking him, always watching over my son. Dexen knew better. I wouldn't hurt Jordan. Greer was still a prick and thought I gave a shit what he thought of me. I did not. He could fuck right off down to the garage for all I cared. The only reason I tolerated him was for Jordan.

"So, Dexen filled me in," Jordan stated. "I guess you're part of the double dick club."

"Eloquent, JJ," Dexen muttered.

My son shrugged. "Vail." Jordan reached out and they shook hands. "It's nice to see you again. You're not cooking tonight. I know why, but damn, I love your food."

"Irene's cooked for us this evening," I said.

"Old man." Jordan nodded in greeting. It was amazing I hadn't chipped teeth given the way I clenched my jaw when my son pushed my buttons. His eyes moved to Hartley. "You must be the designer I've heard good things about. Tristan mentioned you in one of the group calls we've had."

"You have group calls with Tristan?" I asked.

"We're friends."

"Plus, JJ likes to fanboy all over Dash, Slater, Reed, and Cas," Dexen added. It was no secret my son was a fan of Ruined Relinquished. I didn't understand being so enamored with a band. If it made my son happy, good for him.

Jordan elbowed Dexen but kept talking to me. "They're due home next week. We were making plans to get together."

"Tristan told me when they're scheduled to arrive."

"He mentioned you were working with Hartley, though I see it's more than a working relationship."

"What you should see is Hartley and Vail are my…" Shit. Fuck. What the hell was I supposed to call them? Being at a loss for the right word wasn't normal for me. I always knew what to say. I could throw out threats as easily as I could breathe, yet right now, I wanted to scream at the fact I didn't know what the fuck to say.

"Partners," Vail answered for me. "We're his partners."

"That's new," my son said.

"Boyfriends didn't seem right. We also haven't hashed out the details yet."

"Partners works for me," Hartley added. "I'm living here so it sounds better than boyfriends. Although, I wouldn't object to that either."

"Wait," Jordan cut in. "You live here?"

"Mmhmm. Jordan swooped in, saved me from my heatless home, and the next thing I knew, I lived here."

"Heavy-handed much?" Jordan cocked an eyebrow at me.

"If you weren't my son," I growled. Greer took a step forward, as did Raiden.

"Okay," Vail said, turning his back to Jordan and his men, so he filled my line of sight. "No violence, all right?" He didn't need to say more. His eyes begged me to calm things down. I had to remember how Vail felt about this kind of thing, though I wasn't about to harm my son. Greer on the other hand…

I nodded. "We should eat."

Vail's shoulders relaxed, and he leaned forward to press his lips to mine in a far too chaste kiss. "Thank you," he mouthed.

When I peered at Hartley, his head was down. I didn't think Vail and Hartley had done more than talk. I would remedy that later once the others were gone. While I was happy with Vail considering us his partners, Hartley and Vail needed to be together too. They both wanted the other but hadn't made a move to bring them together. Oh, how I couldn't wait to witness them kissing and touching. It was not the time to think of this.

Turning, I walked to the dining table where Irene was setting food down. She roasted a turkey tonight. She said comfort food would do us all some good. There were several trips from the kitchen island to the table, bringing food in. I could tell Vail wanted to help, but one look from Irene had him staying in place. She loved to mother others. Her cooking a big dinner tonight made her happy.

"Yes, turkey," Jordan said and took a seat. "Why don't you ever serve this at the club and bring me home some?"

"Because the turkey we serve at the club is usually more dressed or in fancier dishes," Dexen replied.

"Are you saying my dishes aren't fancy?" Irene asked, placing a bowl of biscuits on the table.

"No, ma'am. Just that the food at the club is different."

"I'm going to have to see what you're serving."

"No," Vail jumped in. "I can tell you all about the food. I cook there."

"Vail, if you think I don't know what kind of club Dexen owns, you're wrong." She planted her hand on her hip. "Did it ever occur to you I might like to see those men up on stage shaking their dicks?"

"Jesus," I muttered and dropped my head into my hands. Irene did nothing wrong, but the thought of her in Untouchable while men danced with nothing but a G-string on was not a sight I wanted to occupy my mind.

"I mean no disrespect, Irene," Dexen began. "But if you come into my club, my employees will not focus on their work, rather the fact that you're there."

"I bet some of them could use an influence like me and home-cooked food."

"Sir," Raiden stepped forward.

I lifted my head and speared him with my gaze. "If you're going to suggest Irene goes to the club, see yourself the fuck out."

"No, though it might not be the worst idea. She's a lovely woman."

Irene reached up to pat Raiden's cheek. "Thank you, dear."

He cleared his throat when he saw me staring daggers at him. "Vivian's on her way up."

"Jesus Christ, what the fuck is she still doing here?"

"That's my daughter, Jordan," Irene chastised.

"I know damn well who she is. She drives me insane on a daily basis. I still don't need an assistant."

"You're doing a good thing by having her work for you. She needs the money."

"I'll cut her a damn check, so she'll leave."

Irene was about to lay into me. I could feel it coming, as well as my own irritation rising to the surface. The fucking ding of the elevator drew all our gazes to it. And then… then the devil herself stepped out in a pair of black leggings and a navy shirt. Her clothes molded to her curvy body, adding to the confidence she always carried with her. Pepper Emerson was everything I loathed. Why? Because she was the literal devil.

She and I had an ongoing war, trying to one-up each other with gifts that implied gruesome death or something equally awful to the one who received it. The reality was, neither of us would hurt each other due to her son, Romeo. I did whatever Romeo needed, and that included not murdering his fucking mother.

"Well, well, Jordy, what do we have here?" That fucking nickname… Dash started it. It sent murderous rage through me.

I didn't realize I gripped the knife until I felt Vail prying it out of my fingers.

"Pep!" my son exclaimed and stood to greet her. "What are you doing here?"

"JJ, it's great to see you." They hugged then she leaned back. I wanted her hands off my child. "Have you lost weight?" She looked him up and down.

"Just working out more with Greer."

"Good for you." She nodded to Greer. "A good workout not only feeds the body but the mind too. You boys should come to yoga with me. I have this instructor who?—"

"Pepper!" I snapped. "What the fuck are you doing in my home?" My guards knew not to kill her. She knew it too. Her visits were rare. And yet, tonight of all nights, she showed up.

My anger didn't faze her. She returned to Vivian and slung her arm over her shoulders. "Didn't you know? Viv is my new bestie. We met at yoga a few weeks ago. We share everything, including all the ways I'd like to see you take a dirt nap and never wake the fuck up again." Every word was said with a smile firmly in place.

I pushed my chair back and stood, leaning forward to plant my hands on the table. "Vivian, you're fired. You don't bring people into my home, let alone her." I pointed at Pepper. Oh look, the knife was in my hand again. Maybe I could just nick Pepper with it. It wouldn't kill her, although I'd feel better.

"You're firing me?" Vivian asked, her hand to her mouth.

I looked at Irene. She was the only woman in the room I gave a shit about. I hired Vivian as a favor to her.

Irene held my gaze for a moment before shifting it to her daughter. "Viv, you know better. Jordan is very strict about who comes into his home. You have more access than most as his assistant, and you broke his trust. The guards let you in because you have clearance but bringing Pepper was too far, especially given how Jordan feels about her, which you very well know." Another reason I kept Irene around, she understood me in this respect.

"Well, that's rude," Pepper said. "But it's for the best. Viv, you can work for me."

"You have a business now?" I asked incredulously.

"Didn't you hear? I work for Dash as his personal assistant."

"Oh, for fuck's sake."

"That's fantastic," Greer laughed.

"Viv, you can help me," Pepper stated. "I hear Slater is looking for help too."

"Raiden," I growled. If he didn't remove them, the knife that now sat on the table, thanks to Vail once again prying it from my fingers, was going to fly in Pepper's direction. The knife at Vail's place setting was going toward Greer afterward.

Raiden quickly got Vivian and Pepper into the elevator and called down to Barry. Someone should escort Vivian to her desk so she could collect her things.

I met Irene's gaze again. "I'll give you a check for her before you leave."

She nodded and went back to the kitchen to grab butter for the biscuits.

It would cost me to get rid of Vivian, but it was about fucking time.

"Well, that was interesting," Hartley said.

My son sat down and leaned his elbow on the table. "Let me tell you about Pepper Emerson."

I knew this night was going to be long, but not this fucking long.