30. Jordan

Vail was at work. Hartley was at his studio. And I decided to visit Romeo. I'd already seen him once since they returned home, but the visit was shorter than I'd have liked. This also brought Tristan home and Caius. Dash too, but he wasn't my concern.

As Albert drove me down the block—yes, I knew how that sounded, but I couldn't be too careful when visiting Romeo—I had a gift sitting next to me on the seat for Pepper. I also missed Latte. I didn't think the day would come when I'd miss having her fur everywhere and her overly excited puppy demeanor, but I did. Tahoe did as well. He was happy as long as he had Vail though. That didn't stop him from rushing to the elevator to greet whoever came to our home.

Albert parked along the curb around the back of the building so I wouldn't draw suspicion. I quickly got out, taking my gift with me, rolled up under my arm. Raiden was with me today and followed me inside. With Caius back, he was already outside the front of the building. He'd stay on Romeo for now. When Tristan ventured out, he had a different guard on him. Dash could fend for himself or hire his own personal security. After hiring Pepper as his assistant, I disliked him even more.

I didn't bother knocking. I had a key and a code to get into the home. While many didn't like my need to be overbearing, Romeo took it in stride. Most of the time, anyway.

My shoes tapped along the deep gray tiles. They were in a chevron pattern and ran from the back hallway through the kitchen and living room. Romeo's home was four stories and located on a corner. It was once an industrial building where a small clothing brand had operated. Too bad he didn't have any of the old machinery. Hartley would have loved it.

Once I was through the hallway, the room opened and was two stories high. A black metal staircase curved upward to my right while my eyes went to the front of the space. There was a wide window that arched at the top, with multiple panes in it. Smaller windows adorned the side of the building. What mattered was that while light got in, there was a reflective film so no one walking or driving by could see inside.

The kitchen opened to a living room where I found Romeo relaxing on a couch with the recliner back and a gaming controller in his hand. He loved that couch and while it wasn't my taste; I wondered if it was something Vail and Hartley would appreciate. It was leather with recliners, cup holders, and consoles.

"Why are you staring at my couch?" Romeo asked, without taking his eyes off his game. He was killing people on the screen. Whatever made him happy.

His nearly black hair was pulled back into a bun, something Dash liked to do as well. The difference was, Romeo reminded me of his father. Not fully in appearance. Malik's jaw had a harder edge, and he was bigger than Romeo. The resemblance was there though.

I waited for the guilt to surface. For the pain to erupt in my chest at what I'd done to Malik and how I took him from Romeo. He wasn't a true father figure to his son, but that didn't make it easier.

The pain didn't come.

Absently, I rubbed my chest. Was it because of Vail and Hartley? Was I changing, no longer guilt-ridden? Maybe they pushed it out when they entered my life.

As I watched Romeo, I wasn't so sure.

"Why do you like it?" I asked to get my mind off Malik, the guilt, and anything else I'd rather not think about.

"The couch? It's comfortable and can hold my drink while I game. I can sit here for hours. If I'm going to do that, my ass should feel good."

"Vail and Hartley might like it."

"Hartley would appreciate the leather and stitching," Tristan said as he padded into the room. He was clean-shaven like usual, showing off his angular cheekbones. His light brown hair must have gotten a cut recently. It wasn't as wild as I'd seen it in the past. Brown eyes crinkled at the corners while a smile lifted his lips. "You can't stay away, can you?"

Tristan was a kind man who didn't deserve any of the hell he'd been through. When the opportunity arose for him to be my personal stylist, I jumped on it. Or rather, I quit his job for him and told him he worked for me. I gave him more leeway than most. There used to be a time when he was afraid of me. He wasn't any longer, although I didn't need him turning into a smart-ass like Dash.

"How does it feel to be home?" I asked.

"Good in some ways. I like sleeping in our bed again. I like Pep dropping off home-cooked meals, and that we got Latte back."

"Where is she?" If she were here, she would have greeted me.

"Dash took her to the farm to play with the other dogs," Romeo said.

Reed and Casper Ashford, two members of the band and partners, lived in a house on their family farm. I'd never been there, though I had driven past it. If Romeo and Tristan were going to visit the farm with Dash, I had to make sure it was safe. For all the bullshit Dash gave me and I certainly lobbed back, there was one thing I knew for certain. He wouldn't allow anything to happen to Tristan and Romeo. Neither would I, thanks to the men I had with them.

Romeo ended his game and put the controller down. He turned, looking me up and down. "What's that?"

"I brought this for your mother." I unrolled the banner, careful to grasp the pamphlets inside so they didn't spill to the floor.

Tristan moved so he could see it. "Congratulations on the move… I don't get it."

I handed Tristan the pamphlets.

"Oh my god," he chuckled. "This is new." I liked to keep my ideas fresh when I expressed my hatred of Pepper Emerson.

"What is it?" Romeo asked and stood. He took a pamphlet from Tristan. "These are for senior living sites with a minimum age requirement of sixty. In Florida."

"Yes, and after she selects which one she prefers, I'll pay for the trip to boot her bitter ass all the way to the tip of fucking Florida."

Tristan's eyes met mine. "She's not sixty."

"Money talks." I didn't care what I had to pay to keep that woman out of my city and my life. "Now, I need a step stool so Raiden can hang the banner over the kitchen."

"In the hall closet," Romeo muttered. "Before you tack this up, go look at what she left you in the bathroom."

I really didn't want to look. Knowing Pepper, it could be a myriad of things. I didn't notice anything until I pushed farther into the room and saw something in the toilet. It was a piece of plastic shit floating in the water with my name on it in white print. Then I glimpsed at the sign on the lid.

I'm going to flush you into the sewers like the piece of shit you are. Make sure you pack light. We'll be lucky if your enormous head fits down the pipe.

Not as clever as mine. Someone would have to reach in there and remove it. That was their problem.

Romeo and Tristan were waiting for me when I emerged.

"So?" Tristan asked.

"Amateurish."

That got a laugh out of him.

Raiden hung the banner with a little help from Tristan while I fanned out the brochures on the kitchen counter. I attached a sticky note to the top one that let her know all expenses would be paid if she fucking left.

Movement outside caught my gaze. A car pulled up to the curb. Caius immediately went to it.

"Raiden." I motioned toward the front. "Tell him I'll meet him at the Race Street location in fifteen minutes."

"Yes, sir." Raiden went outside and stood beside Caius while Barrett exited his car.

"Who's that?" Romeo asked.

"A cop I pay."

Raiden talked to Barrett for a few seconds before Barrett drove away. Barrett always knew where to find me. All he had to do was speak to one of my men and they would get word to me. And it would look like he was doing his job, following up on whatever shit excuse he used to get in touch with me.

"Tristan, do you have a moment before I go?" I asked. Tristan and I were going to have an overdue talk about his position with me. Being my personal stylist wasn't his life goal. And now that I had Hartley, I didn't want anyone else designing clothes for me, making Tristan's job obsolete.

"Sure."

Romeo thumbed over his shoulder. "I'm going upstairs to shower."

When we were alone, I asked, "How is your prep for college coming along?"

"Good. I'm still not sure what the end career goal is, but I'm going to enjoy learning. That doesn't take away from the work I do for you," he rushed to say. In truth, Tristan had been doing less for me while traveling. A fact I didn't mind. I cared about him and wanted him happy. That meant being with his partners and enjoying his life.

"I'm not concerned about that. Don't interrupt me before I finish."

He nodded. He would have interrupted had I not said something.

"Now that I'm with Hartley and Vail, I don't have a desire to wear anything but what Hartley creates for me. This brings us to your position. I don't require a stylist any longer, although if you'd like to continue working for me, I have another position in mind." I didn't but could quickly think of one if needed.

His shoulders fell, and his gaze dropped to the floor. "Was I not doing a good job?"

"This has nothing to do with you. Why are you upset? I thought you'd be happy. This isn't the life you envisioned, at least not the part where you work for me."

"It's not, but I enjoy helping you."

I cocked an eyebrow. "You do?"

"Yes."

"I figured you'd want to take more classes and pursue a passion."

"I do once I figure out what that is. Until then…"

"What if I keep you on as a consultant? You can work directly with Hartley and help him with pieces for me. I'll pay you, not him. That will free up your time to take more classes and live the life you should."

A noise from above drew my eyes up.

Romeo peered down at us. "Holy shit. You've… You've fucking softened. Now that you're with Vail and Hartley, you aren't as rigid." My spine stiffened. Romeo must have noticed because he added, "I don't mean that in a bad way. You're still the asshole down the block, who acts as a fucked-up father figure to me, but you were just really nice to Tris. I appreciate that."

Instead of replying, I focused on Tristan again. I didn't have time to evaluate my softening or whatever the fuck it was and if it existed.

Tristan smiled. "I'd like that."

"Very well. Your pay will remain the same. I expect to hear from you in one week's time."

"Okay."

With that, I turned on my heel and went toward the back door, listening to Raiden call Albert to bring the car around as he followed me. Now that I'd delivered a gift for Pepper and spoke with Tristan, I had to handle Barrett and whatever the fuck he wanted.