4. Jordan

Hartley Weathers. Thirty-six years old. Born on January 20th. Single.

One relative, a brother, who he's in communication with. Currently, he's living in California and spending his money on alcohol rather than going to his job, which he was recently fired from.

A debt was accumulated by Hartley's grandfather, who fell ill and had more outstanding bills than he knew how to take care of or the means to pay down. When he passed, he was on the verge of having his house foreclosed on. If he needed to purchase something, it went on one of the credit cards he had. The man was well over his head when he found out he had cancer. It spread quickly and was already throughout his body when he sought medical attention. He died with nothing to his name but debt.

It appears Hartley has started to pay off the money owed by cutting back on his own expenses, including letting his employees go, and changing locations to an area with cheaper rent. His grandfather's house was willed to him. He works to keep it from foreclosure while also running his own business.

The report read on, but that was enough for now.

When I met with Hartley two days ago, I knew something was off, but not what. I had one of the private investigators I used look into Hartley and see what he could find. The amount of debt he took on wasn't small, but it wasn't astronomical either. At least I didn't think so. I also didn't have the same financial situation Hartley did.

The urge to pay off the debt was strong. I wouldn't typically do that for a man I'd just met, but there was something about him. A need I had to soothe his worries and make him smile. Because when he did, he lit up the room.

Tristan had emailed me after hearing from Hartley that I had purchased three suits and would be in contact with him directly. Tristan wanted to make sure there wasn't anything he could do for me. Romeo had also called to ask if I was replacing Tristan. I had to explain to them I was merely taking an interest in getting my suits designed and wouldn't be firing anyone. I also told them to enjoy their time on tour with Dash, hoping they'd let this lie and not wonder why I was suddenly interested in working directly with Hartley, when I hadn't felt the urge to get hands-on with any of the others.

Of course, it was Dash who wore a mischievous grin as I spoke to them over video chat. I didn't give him the satisfaction of knowing he was onto something. If I did, he'd never let me forget it.

Closing the email with the report on Hartley in it, I leaned back in the chair and looked out the window. A light snow was falling but wasn't sticking to the ground yet. It wasn't supposed to accumulate, not that it mattered to me. I didn't have plans to go anywhere today.

Latte barked and sat down by my feet to peer up at me.

"If you have to go out, find Raiden. I'm not doing it."

She wagged her tail as her tongue lolled out.

Unable to resist, I leaned forward to rub my fingers through her soft fur. She was around eight months old and growing fast. If it wasn't for the photos and occasional videos I sent Romeo, he wouldn't get to see her grow while he was gone.

I had to admit; I didn't like the feel of Romeo's absence, nor that I couldn't drop in at his home to check on him. It was the same with my son. It had been a month or so since I'd last seen him. Between the two of them, I felt empty and alone. Well, except for Latte. Did that mean my sudden infatuation with Hartley was due to needing another to focus my attention on? Or did I have a genuine interest in him?

Shaking my head, I got to my feet, as did Latte. I couldn't think about this. It was bad enough I fucking smelled Hartley when I saw him. Who sniffed people? Not me. At least, not unless we were naked, and I inhaled their musk.

I strode from my office and out into the open living room that flowed into the kitchen and dining room. It was empty except for Raiden near the door.

"Can you take Latte out?" I asked. It wasn't the reason I hired him, but any of my guards would do whatever I asked of them. Raiden was no exception. The dog walker had already been by today, yet Latte was still full of energy.

"Of course, sir." He quickly put her leash on and was out the door.

The building I lived in was also one I owned. Guards I trusted monitored every floor. The guards I had now were mostly newer. I had to start fresh after handling the deceit that happened with Malik.

Barry took a more senior role and was now my head of security. There was no better man to oversee what went on and handle any issues that could arise. If Reghan and Raiden didn't come highly recommended by Dexen, I wouldn't have had them in my home. Their father was a guard at Dexen's club.

My phone vibrated with a text. Lifting it, I looked at the screen.

Dexen: You missed JJ's birthday.

With my son and I having the same name, he quickly earned the nickname JJ when he was little.

Me: I sent a gift.

Dexen: He didn't need a check.

Me: What would you like me to do? I don't buy gifts and he has you and Greer to spoil him. He's a grown man. If he needs something I can provide, all he has to do is ask.

Dexen: He needs his father, not a bank, but he won't say it out loud.

The guilt hit me swiftly. I was a father by blood, not because I did fatherly things. Having drugs and guns in our home, guards who drank as well as myself, though not to the extent they did. Not to mention the fact I killed his mother in front of him. I wouldn't win an award for my behavior. And I paid for it year after year as my son alienated me and only stood before me when I had him brought here.

I was trying to do better, at least in my own way. I wasn't a hugger or liked to show affection. My version of displays of love was killing anyone who threatened those I cared about and getting possessive over them. If I considered them mine, I'd kill for them.

Me: Come over for dinner tomorrow night.

Dexen: Saturday night is one of the busiest at the club.

If anyone understood my workaholic tendencies, it was Dexen. Although he knew when to step back and take a break. I didn't.

Me: The offer stands.

Dexen: Fine. For JJ.

Me: Good. I'll hire a caterer.

I had an older woman who cooked and cleaned for me, but I didn't use her often when I had guests over. Dexen, Greer, and Jordan weren't colleagues or rivals. The urge to put an extra effort into this dinner was there.

Dexen: I know someone you can trust who's free. He works for me as well.

Me: You're going to send Dana to cook in my home?

Dana was a very talented chef, who created the exemplary meals Dexen served at the club. I'd seen photos of his creations and heard the way others praised his food.

Dexen: No, he's working here. I can send Vail, Dana's brother-in-law.

I knew of him. I knew of every person who worked in the club Dexen owned. My son's safety was imperative. While I didn't personally run a background check on him, Dexen would have.

Me: Tell me what time and I'll make sure he has access.

Dexen and I worked out the details, and I put my phone in my pocket. I hadn't planned on entertaining tomorrow night. When it came to mending the relationship I had with Jordan, I'd do almost anything. Except hug, unless he was crying. Tears were the exception to hugs. I still remembered when he embraced me after I killed Malik. My son held me while I cried.

The elevator doors opened, although I didn't bother to look to see who it was. I could tell by the sound of nails clicking on the marble floor that Raiden had returned with Latte. She rushed over to me with her tail wagging, needing to share that she went outside. Her fur was cold to the touch with snowflakes stuck to it.

"Were you a good girl?"

"She was," Raiden replied. Her collar jingled as he hung it and the leash up in the closet near the elevator. "Come on, girl, let's get you some water." There was a dusting of snow on his nearly black hair when he walked in front of me to usher her out of the room.

"Thank you," I told him.

He froze and peered at me over his shoulder with wide eyes. I bit back a curse. I should talk to the people who worked for me more often. Not so I was considered soft, just enough to let them know I appreciated their loyalty. Maybe the next time someone tried to cross me within my own organization, they'd think twice about going behind my back if I was decent to them.

Raiden snapped out of his daze. "You're welcome."

I didn't say another word, simply stared at him until he left the room with Latte in tow. That was all the niceties he was getting from me today. I wasn't going to suddenly have a smile plastered on my face everywhere I went and hand out compliments like they were flowers.

Now to focus on the dinner. Jordan was my son, and I should have been doing more to have him in my life. How did I do that when I was never the father he needed? He wasn't young enough for me to buy his love. Hell, I was sixty. I should look forward to retirement, not try to find new ways to grow my empire and make the city more secure. But I didn't see myself slowing down anytime soon, especially with no one to take over for me when I finally stepped away.

Jordan wanted nothing to do with the illegal side of my life, never had. Even the legal one he showed no interest in. He was content to work on cars in the shop he owned or at the home he shared with Dexen and Greer. My nephew also employed Jordan as the vice president of their research and development department. Sure, I had to buy his way into the executive level job, but it was worth it.

Jordan thought I didn't appreciate what he did for a living, earning money in his shop. In truth, I wanted more for him, but I lied and used the guise that I needed it to look good for me. That Jordan was a reflection of me and, as such, he needed a better job. My son took on the role in Junior's company, but wasn't happy about it. It was also a much safer building than when he had the bay doors open in his shop for anyone to drive by and shoot at him. My rivals thought he was weak because he didn't work for me.

My son, the cause of my fucking heartburn.

If anyone was worth my need to chew antacids, it was him. And I did know best. He loved working at Junior's company. Without me, he might not have fallen in love with Greer, even though I still thought he could do better than a Lynx brother. So, Jordan couldn't hate me too much. At least, I hoped he didn't.