26. CHAPTER 26

26

JULES

“How’s Kai today?” Seb asks as we walk into Starlight. It’s a good question, one I’ve asked myself, as I don’t know. We only had a brief conversation before he left, but I’m worried now that he’s had time to process what happened last night, that he may have had second thoughts. I’m in the other camp and feel fantastic after last night. It was the most phenomenal sex I’ve ever had. Earth shattering. Life changing. So much so I want more. If we didn’t have to work I’d still be inside him, trying to find what other noises I can get him to make.

“Jules?”

“Yeah?”

“You’re off in your own world there. I said, how is Kai? But I assume from your blissed out demeanor that you’re daydreaming about him, and he’s probably on a high too?”

“You’re as bad as D. Do you guys do anything other than gossip?”

“Sure we do. We talk and fuck. But I’m not meaning to be nosy, it’s just, I know Kai has been struggling and I’ve been a little worried about him.”

My ears perk up at that little nugget of information.

“Struggling with what?” I ask, as Seb’s eyes widen as if he has said too much.

“You know, moving from home. Settling in here,” he says, and I know him well enough to know when he’s being sketchy.

“What aren’t you telling me?”

“Nothing!”

“Not buying it, but I can hardly force you when you’re the boss's hubby can I?”

Seb laughs. I’m partly joking but my mind is trying to read between the lines. I know he’s found the adjustments tough, and also what happened with Aaron, but not enough that I would think it would cause Seb any concern. Actually, Seb is a bleeding heart so he could be reading way too much into it.

“I’ll talk to him tonight.”

“I think that’s a good idea. You want anything before I do inventory?”

“Nah I’m good, thanks. I’ll just hang around and wait for Dima to show up.”

“Cool.”

With that, I whip out my phone from my pocket and take a seat at one of the tables near the bar. Before I know it, I’m texting Kai.

You good?

It takes a few minutes for a response, which in fairness, I expect, as he’s working. But it pisses me off nonetheless. I don’t like being left hanging, especially by him. When I message him, I want an immediate response. Arrogant prick that I am, I assume he’s glued to his phone, waiting to hear from me.

Kai

I’m good. Just going through the books with Simon.

Anyone else there?

Kai

Bonnie is here and one of the other girls. Why?

Be on your guard and don’t let them distract you. They’ll be trying to get a taste of your dick.

Kai

After seeing the mess you’ve made of my neck, they know not to bother. Trust me. Your claiming marks have been noticed by everyone. Including fucking Si.

Good. Then they know you’re off limits.

Kai

You sound deranged.

Only for you.

Kai

Stop flirting. Si is looking at me weird and I’m getting hard.

Does my whore need attention? I’ll bind you to my bed and spend hours giving you all the attention you want.

Kai

I’m going now.

And I’m not done.

Kai

Byeeeee!

Such a little shit. But fuck does it get my blood pumping.

You’ll pay for that. A little discipline will be dished out later.

Three dots appear on my screen, then disappear, then reappear, but no message comes through. He’s nervous. And so he should be.

A text alert comes through, and I’m hoping it’s from Kai, but disappointment sets in when I see it’s from Jenny. Not that I don’t want to talk to her, but it’s a little awkward when I’m hard as fuck from verbally sparring with her son.

Jenny

Hi Jules. How’s Kai doing? I miss him.

Has Kai not been in touch with his mom? Instead of texting, I press the call button where she answers straight away.

“Jules, hey I didn’t mean for you to call. I thought you’d be busy.”

“I’m just waiting on my boss, so I’m free right now. Has Kai not called you?”

“No. I had a text a couple of weeks back but nothing since. How is he?”

‘He’s really good. Settled in with the guys and is working hard. It’s been full on, so that’s probably why he hasn’t called.”

“That’s fine. He’s a grown man. I know you’d call me if things weren’t working out.”

“I would. Don’t worry. How are things with you?”

“I’ve been okay. Missing having Kai at home as it’s been quiet. But Tim has been visiting a lot, so it’s been nice to have company.”

“Officer Tim?”

“Yes, and I’m not talking about it.”

I laugh, as I can feel the heat coming through the phone from her blushing.

“I won’t ask again.”

“Good,” she says, but it’s followed by a long silence. Something is wrong.

“What’s wrong, Jenny?”

“Why do you think anything’s wrong?”

“I can sense it. You’re a little quiet. Has something happened?”

“Fuck, you’re perceptive. It’s probably nothing, but you know that gang Kai hung around with?”

“What about them?”

“Well, they’ve been hanging around since Kai left. I never really used to see them when he was home, as he spent most of his time out with them. But for a few weeks they’ve been passing by the house when I get home from work. Or I’ve seen them in their car outside of my work during the day. I might be imagining things, as it’s not everyday, but….I don’t know. It feels off.”

It feels off to me, too. I briefly wonder if Kai has told me everything about the guys he hung out with.

“You told Tim about it?”

“No, it’ll only worry him and I don’t want to be a burden.”

“Jenny, tell him. It may be nothing, but if it’s out of the ordinary, I’d feel better knowing you were being looked after.”

“You’re right. He’s coming over tonight, so I’ll bring it up then.”

“Good. I’ll have a word with Kai.”

“Don’t you dare! I want him focused there, not worrying about me. I’m sure it’s fine.”

I’m not convinced of that, but I can subtly try to find out more from Kai.

Hearing footsteps, I look up to see Dima walk into the bar, nodding his head for me to follow him into the back office.

“Listen Jenny, my boss has just got back, But I’ll tell Kai to call when I see him later.”

“Thanks Jules. Bye.”

I get up to follow Dima into the office and sit opposite him.

“What’s wrong with your face?” Dima says.

“My face?”

“You look…emotional or something.”

I roll my eyes, it amazes me how he and Lev could get partners. The pair of them together don’t even amount to one full emotion. Yet he notices it on me.

“Just thinking. I’ve just spoken to Jenny and she mentioned that the gang Kai hung around with have been appearing at her house and workplace.”

“They been threatening her?”

“No. She said it’s not every day, but its never happened before. I just feel…unsettled.”

“Gangs are known to be reactive if a member just leaves. Did Kai leave on good terms?”

“I don’t know.”

“You didn’t ask?”

“Why would I ask? I was too busy dealing with the fallout with his mom and moving him here.”

“You were too busy eye fucking him, you mean.”

“D, I mean this with the utmost respect, but fuck you.”

That gets me a large smile from the demon himself. Dima is a lot easier to have banter with, unlike Lev, who has zero ability to take a joke.

“Just ask Kai.”

“Jenny doesn’t want me saying anything.”

“Fucking hell. This is why I don’t do families.”

“What are you talking about? You have a brother and a husband. Plus me and Si. That is a family.”

“Yes, but we’re normal. Not all emotional and shit.”

“You mean human.”

“Whatever. Just sort this shit out, I want you focused. Carlos is having more trouble in his crew. Money has gone missing from our last import. I’ve offered our services.”

“What kind of services?”

“Customer services. You know, ask a few questions.”

“Ahh, that kind of service. I’m down. Been a while since I got my hands dirty.”

“That’s what I want to hear. Now call Si and tell him to meet us with Kai back at the house within the hour.”

A little bit of violence mixed with some Kai should make a great evening.