Chapter 27
Ledgar
“Ex?” I ask, already knowing the answer. She doesn’t look at me, just turns and starts walking toward my office.
“Yes.” That’s all she gives me as I follow silently behind her. I go to move around my desk, pouring us two glasses of bourbon and handing one to her.
“The woman?” I ask.
“Jay’s sister.”
I knew that, but that’s not the question I am asking. It doesn’t explain the way Vivian looked at us. Curious but certain she’d seen all that she needed to, and that within itself is a problem. Her words weren’t a threat, but a warning.
“She doesn’t seem like your biggest fan,” I say. Payson huffs a quiet laugh before stepping past me toward the windows that overlook the casino floor.
I take a sip of my drink and lean back against my desk, crossing one ankle over the other, watching her. It’s become my favorite hobby.
“Yours either,” she adds.
I shrug. “Well, she believes that Jarrell should have named her partner instead of me.” Vivian isn’t just a problem.
She watches her enemies and patiently waits for the right time to hit them.
And I am not a man who likes to be watched.
I want to stay two steps ahead of my enemies.
“She’ll keep pushing,” I say evenly. “Not hard at first, but until she’s satisfied she’s got you where she wants you. ”
Her brows lift. “You sound so sure of that.”
“I am.” She searches my eyes, then looks back out the window.
“What’s your excuse?” I ask her. Her lips curve a little. “I’m not blood.”
She turns the glass in her hand, watching the liquid move, before releasing a small breath.
“It’s funny,” she adds, soft and vulnerable.
“You can grow up around people…sit at their tables, celebrate their holidays, have their last name, know everything about them….” She wipes a stray tear from her face.
“And it doesn’t matter, because it’ll never make you one of them.
” I don’t interrupt her, don’t go to her.
Something inside me breaks a little for her.
“They constantly remind you though,” she continues, her voice steady again.
“When mistakes get made….” She tightens her grip around the glass.
“You are just close enough to be useful, but never close enough to matter.”
“She’s disliked people for less,” I say humorously, trying to ease the burden. That earns me an actual laugh this time.
“Once, for my birthday she gave me a plane ticket and told me to leave.” I raise a brow.
“That all?” She glances back at me. “Rude.”
“Depends,” I say, taking another sip. “Was it at least first class?”
She pauses. “….maybe.”
“Well at least she has high standards.”
She stares at me for a second then shakes her head, a smile breaking through despite how much she tries to fight it. “I didn’t leave.”
“Obviously.”
“Listening isn’t really your strong suit, is it?” she asks.
“No,” I say plainly.
“But I don’t think you’re supposed to.” The air between us feels lighter now, and I push off the desk walking up next to her. “Stay close today,” I say softly.
She looks at me, a small crease between her brows. “That an order?” she questions.
I reach out, pulling her into me. “It’s me asking you to stay close.” I pause tilting her chin up to look at me. “You chose to stay. Again. I’d rather not deal with your ex or Vivian anymore today. My patience only extends so far.”
My words almost sound worrisome. In a way, they are. The way Vivian looked at her as she walked away, I know that look. It’s the same look I give to the people I make disappear. Her eyes bounce between mine before she nods. “Okay.”