A Dirty Business (Kings of New York #1)(57)

“Octavia’s owners aren’t active in New York, but don’t think for a second they aren’t connected either.”

He stopped talking, startled by my statement. “You serious?”

I nodded. “I’m guessing your brother didn’t tell you about that place.”

“Shit. No.” He shook his head, raking his hand over his head one more time. “It doesn’t matter. We’re resigning. Come with us.”

God.

I should. I needed to.

Common sense dictated I do exactly as he said, but . . . even now I wanted to look up where his private box was. I wanted to check my phone, see if he’d sent me a text. I couldn’t stop replaying being in the car with him.

My throat felt stripped raw as I patted Justin on the arm. “I’m a sucker for what’s familiar. It’s my downfall. I’ve stayed this long; I’m going to stick it out. I like working at Katya, but it means a lot that you want me to go with you.”

Regret tightened his face, his mouth pressing in a firm line. “Are you sure?”

I dipped my head down. “I’ll be okay, Justin.” I indicated Kelly, who was watching us from a level above. “You take care of her. All right?”

He drew in a deep breath, resignation settling over his shoulders. He raised his head up, but he didn’t look at Kelly. He kept watching me. “I can’t change your mind?”

I gave a small shake of my head.

He nodded, giving in. “Okay. Come on. Give me a hug.”

I didn’t object as he drew me in, and he squeezed me tight. “Be safe. I don’t know why you were in the car with him, but please be safe. Be smart.”

I couldn’t promise on the smart part, but I hugged him back. “I’ll watch my back. Don’t worry.”

He stepped back, letting me go. “You’ve become family, so I’ll worry.”

I gave him a crooked grin. “Guessing that means what I think it means.”

He grinned back, a half one. “I love her. A lot.”

“Also guessing that’s what was behind our trip last weekend.”

“My aunt loved her. I wanted her to meet Kelly before I proposed, but I have the ring.”

“Give me a heads-up when you do, okay? I want to make sure I’m by my phone.”

He snorted, starting to back away and go to his section. “Uh. You’re going to be there, and I’m going to be needing your help in planning the whole thing.”

That was total BS, but I liked that he was pretending he needed my help. “I told her you were good people from the very beginning, you know.”

He flashed me one last grin. “I know.”

He turned to his customers, and I did the same, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that tonight was the first ending before a whole lot of other endings. I didn’t know what the others were, and the dread sitting firm in my gut didn’t know either.



I checked my phone on my break and saw the text there waiting for me.

Trace: Want a ride back to your place after work?

Me: I have my own car here.

He’d sent his text an hour ago, but he responded right away.

Trace: So maybe I could get a ride instead? Or you can leave your car for the night. We have a secure parking spot. You can park it there.

Trace: Anthony said Justin stopped by his office earlier.

So he knew.

My heart was heavy, and I clicked out of his messages, spotting there were thirteen more texts from my mother. I hit them, wanting to make sure nothing was wrong, and, spotting the first words of her most recent text were you bitch, I clicked out of them.

I responded, knowing I was making a mistake.

I was going to make it anyway.

Me: I’d like a ride.



Kelly came over at the end of her shift. “Justin said he talked to you.”

I was still packed with customers, so I didn’t stop working. “Yeah. I’m staying.”

She nodded, her eyes sad. “I can’t change your mind?”

There it was. I gave her a grin, seeing she’d been quiet because of the change. I finished this guy’s order and went over to her to give her a hug. She wrapped her arms tight around me, hugging me fiercely. “We need to do more than Easter Lanes on Sunday.”

I pulled back. “We’ll do so much more than Sunday bowling.”

She flicked a hand at her eye, blinking away what had been there. “Why do I feel like this is permanent this time?”

“Because hopefully it is.” I saw that Justin was half watching us as he kept doing orders. I flashed him a smile, and he gave me a nod back. “Your path is with him. We were great roommates and better friends. You bet your ass I’m not letting go of our friendship. I need it. You balance all the other bullshit in my life.”

“I worry about you.”

Oh. That was making my chest hurt. I pulled her in for one more hug. “Text me tomorrow, and let’s set up the next time we get together. We’ll do a weekly thing.”

“You promise?”

I was nodding when I heard behind me, “I cannot fucking believe this.”

Kelly’s response was immediate, twisting around. She’d handled her fair share of female fights in the past, so she was the first to snap back: “Can we help you, ma’am?”