A Dirty Business (Kings of New York #1)(47)

I couldn’t believe I was doing this. “Where’s this place, and who is throwing the party?”

“It’s Justin’s cousin’s boss. Who I don’t really know, but he said she works for some bigwig exec, and there would probably be famous athletes at this party.” She lowered her voice. “I’m going to be honest, I’m really going because I want out of the city for a little bit. It’s early. We can get there in time for a decent afternoon, and this mansion is supposed to be epic. Who wouldn’t want to go?!”

Me. But . . . Kelly.

“Fine.”

She squealed. “Oh my gosh! This is the bestest thing ever! We’ll pick you up in thirty.”

“Wait—”

She ended the call.

I’d just be getting to our place in that time frame, but screw it. I hit the accelerator and gave the middle finger to the two kids dealing pot at the end of my mom’s block when I drove by.





CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO


JESS


The party was at an estate, not a mansion. We drove in and went past Ferraris, Rolls-Royces, and more than a few BMWs, and a helicopter was parked in the back . . . by the other helicopter. I leaned forward from the back seat. “Who are these people?”

Kelly giggled in the front passenger seat.

Justin glanced up in the rearview mirror, driving. “I should’ve explained that half of my family are cops, or a similar position like yourself, and the other half is in business. One side of that family is in the oil business.”

“Which are you?”

“I’m the black sheep. I have a business degree, and I’m an entrepreneur during the week and a bartender at night.”

I grunted, leaning back and taking in the scenery. This was not my world, that was for sure. “And let me guess, bartending is paying the bills.”

“For now.” He looked up, meeting my gaze in the mirror again. “I’ve got some things in the works, but I’m not in any hurry.” He gave Kelly a fond look. “I’m enjoying my life right now.”

She gave another giggle, and this one I knew by heart. It was the one that was a mix between sigh-I’ve-found-my-Prince-Charming and I’m-a-total-and-complete-goner-even-if-he-turns-out-to-be-a-dud-somehow. I had no idea Justin was this connected, and when we parked, I walked next to Kelly. “You knew about this side of him?”

Justin was ahead of us, leading the way as a woman was coming out from a large white barnlike structure to greet him.

“He told me recently.”

“How recently?”

“Last night, when he officially asked me to move in with him.” She was biting her lip, gauging my response.

Well . . . okay then. My chest was a little tight. “And you said?”

She took a deep breath, still eyeing me. “I told him yes. That we talked about it, you and me, and you were fine with it. You are, right? I mean . . .” She gazed around, her eyes big and wistful. “Look at this, Jess. When he first asked me out, I just thought he was a cute bartender. This is like a dream come true.”

“Kelly!” Justin was waving, standing by the woman, who I now recognized as a model. Her face had been up on Times Square for an entire month.

She squealed before waving back. “We’re coming!” Dragging me with her, or trying, she hissed under her breath, “That’s his cousin. Vivianna Harper. It’s her boss that owns this place, but she works with the rest of their family. I don’t know how. Investor maybe?” She hurried the rest right as we drew within earshot. A wide smile took place, and she let me go, extending her hand to the woman.

Justin did the introductions.

Mine was a “hey” grunt, and when Justin was about to say what I did for a living, I interrupted. “I bartend at Katya too.”

“Oh!” Vivianna perked up. “I didn’t know that was the place you were working at, Justin.” Her hand rested on his arm, but she turned to me. “I know the owners.”

Oh—a myriad of curses swept through me. I wasn’t thinking them, feeling them, saying them. I was them. I was embodying a whole litany of curses.

Justin’s cough sounded forced.

I grated out, “You don’t say?”

“Oh yes! And they’re here—” Cue a repeat of my cursing episode. She kept on, having no clue. “Or one of them. I know there’s two owners, but I know Ashton. I’ve only heard of Tristian, but Ashton and I used to model back in the day, during college. We kinda bonded because we were both going against our family wishes, you know. Doing our own thing for a while, but then he went out to Cali for a few years. We recently reconnected. What a wonderful surprise. Justin”—she turned to him—“I bet he has no idea you’re my cousin.”

This seemed like a great idea.

I needed to take lessons from myself. If I thought it was a great idea, do the opposite. I should’ve stayed for breakfast and borne through a morning of Healthy Chelsea Montell. It would’ve been better than this.

“Come on. Justin, you probably know most everyone here . . .” She faltered, seeing Justin’s arm curving around Kelly’s waist. She blinked a few times before another smile came over her, this one softer, gentler. “Who’s this?”

He’d already done introductions, so his head inclined toward Kelly. “This is my girlfriend.”