A Dirty Business (Kings of New York #1)(59)

First things first. I wanted to know.

Ashton was going to tell me. I knew it. I was banking on it.

He stared at me, long and hard, and I was aware of the attention we were getting from the other workers because it was not often our owners came down to the floor after we’d closed, or at all. Like I said before, I’d worked here for how long and had had no clue who really owned the bar. That spoke volumes.

“Your mother had an affair with Dominic West. It was before your father died, and no, Trace has no idea, but he will after tonight. He was told just moments ago. Your mother was the reason their mother killed herself. She found out about the affair.” He moved closer. “It’s the reason your father stopped working for Trace’s.”

Jesus.

I was rocked.

I was wheeling.

My mother . . . their mother.

I kept hearing Trace’s words earlier today.

The coincidence was too much, but . . . my father had worked for his. I was never told the specifics. I was kept out of it on purpose, my mother saying on more than one occasion that I didn’t need to bother with that “stuff.” That’s what she said. Stuff.

But she had affairs. I knew she did, and so did he. My father.

He was in that world before he died.

It could be true. It could all be true.

“For what it’s worth, Dominic is a piece of shit. I’m told your mother is cut from the same cloth. My advice? Stop fighting and just fuck Trace. It’s getting old, this whole torture episode the both of you have going on.” He drew back, his face firming again. “Remmi won’t bother you again, and we took the liberty of moving your car into the secured spot. Your ride is waiting outside when you’re done.”

I was still reeling from the mother/father thing, but right. Okay. Back to business as usual.

Trace was waiting for me, because I had texted him earlier, agreeing to the ride home.

“Jess.”

I drew upright, focusing back on Ashton. He was waiting.

“Yes?”

“I don’t care what kind of badge you’re carrying. You need to be aware of what I’ll do if you hurt him. If you hurt my best friend, I will kill you.”

With that said, he smiled, waved, and left.

Right. Okay.

Trace: Are you coming?





CHAPTER FORTY


TRACE


I was in the back lot, waiting.

It’d been thirty minutes.

“Should we go?”

I checked my phone. She’d not responded to my last text, asking if she was coming out. “Let’s wait.”

We waited another twenty before the back door opened and she came out. She stopped, seeing my vehicle, and put her hands in her pockets. She stared at the door. My windows were tinted, but she was looking right at me, as if she could see me.

God.

She was hurting.

Everything in me wanted to open the door and go to her. I wanted to hold her.

I wanted her to come into the vehicle.

I wanted to give her a ride home. I wanted to give her a ride home every night.

I wanted it all, but it was happening.

She was letting me in, slowly, so slowly, but it was still happening.

Now Remmi—I couldn’t think about that. Not yet.

I just wanted Jess.

I was starting to will her to come, and the door opened.

She slid in, like the other night.

She didn’t turn to me, just stared straight ahead, and then she closed her eyes.

She slumped forward.

“Jess?”

She jerked back up and twisted to me. “Why aren’t you saying anything?”

Holy—women. The whiplash. I had to blink a little bit. “About what?”

“About our parents. My mom! Your mom. Trace . . .” A deep sob choked out. She was frowning, shaking her head. “Is it true? Please, tell me it’s not. My mom—God.”

I opened my mouth, closed it, and frowned. Then I went with the truth. “I have no idea, but this is what I’m going to say: my mother was sick long before my father had an affair. If he had one with your mother, I wouldn’t be surprised. I don’t know your mother’s stance on fidelity, but my dad didn’t have one. Still doesn’t. He screws strippers, secretaries, assistants, cooks. Your father worked with mine. I do not know the relationship, but I will after tonight. I was in college when that happened. What I can tell you is that my mother did not kill herself because of your mother.”

“Ashton said it. He stated that your mother killed herself because of my mother. He said it like it was fact.”

“He was telling you the reason in Remmi’s eyes, not the truth.”

“How do you know that?”

My lips twitched because how could I explain my best friend to her? “Because he’s my best friend. He said it that way to you for two reasons. One, because that’s what Remmi thinks, and the second is a dig at you. You’re a cop.” I put it more simply. “You are the enemy.”

“Why are you so calm about this? If this is true, it’s huge.”

My lips twitched again. “Because I know my dad. I know my mom. I’ve read files on your mom, and I’ve seen her picture. She’s a good-looking woman. It’s not out of the realm of possibility that your mom and my dad crossed paths, and I can see why my father would be attracted to your mother. She’s a beautiful woman, still is, and I’m rather obsessed with her daughter. You do have some resemblance to your mom.”