18. Tate
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
TATE
I toss and turn most of the night. It isn't lost on me that the guest room Mary chose is near my room. She did that on purpose, I'm sure.
I shower in the morning and dress in a suit as usual, though I leave the jacket off for now. I don't know what to do with Sian or what happened last night. One moment, it was as though the world had stood still, and then it all had come crashing down and Sian had stepped away from me. As though I was dangerous. As though she realized I was dangerous. An intense cold flooded the space between us.
I try to focus on the tasks at hand. It isn't easy with Sian on my mind, and all I can think of is to avoid her until I figure out what to do with her. I need a plan. I need to get back on my game.
I go downstairs early for breakfast; Mary is still setting up. I sit down and wait expectantly. Luckily, we don't wait for my father for breakfast; he has his over the newspaper in his library.
Mary brings me breakfast, and I start to eat. I know Rick will be here soon to brief me on the latest news, and I want to be done before then, and before Sian comes down.
I'm about halfway through my food when she walks through the door. I wipe my mouth on my napkin and stand. "Mary, I'm done."
I walk out of the room before Sian can even say good morning. I'm still hungry, but that will have to wait. There are more important things to attend to.
I go upstairs to my office and sit down behind my desk. I rock back in my chair and stare at the ceiling, my fingers steepled together in front of me. I sigh softly; I can't stop thinking about Sian. It's like being intoxicated by the drugs I sell. I never dabble in my gear because that's the quickest way to lose your empire. And I feel like Sian could prove to be the same problem. I can't lose an empire over a woman I barely know.
Who I took, nevertheless.
Why did I take her? My excuse was that she'd seen too much, and I needed to make sure she didn’t talk, but was it really that? Did I not just want to keep her safe after what happened to her? I don't know anymore, and I rub my temples in frustration. I only stop when there's a knock at my door before Rick walks in.
"You look like shit," he says. "Didn't sleep?"
I frown. "I slept fine. I just have a headache."
"So, take something," Rick says, sitting opposite me. He falls silent as he starts clicking on his phone.
I watch him for a moment. We belong to a dark world. The underworld. We are the scum of the Earth, according to most people. I'm no good, but wanting Sian feels so right. Is there any harm in that? Is it so wrong to want something for myself for a change? I do everything to keep my people safe. I’ve done everything for the business and never asked for anything myself.
There's another knock at the door, and my father appears.
“Hope I’m not interrupting anything,” he says as he walks towards my desk.
“What can I do you for, Father?” I ask, leaning back in my chair.
“Just reminding you of my party this weekend. Your tuxedos are in the master changing room.”
I look at Rick for answers, but he shrugs, as clueless as me. “What do we need suits for?” I eventually ask, as my father isn’t giving me anything.
“I know you’ve been busy, so I won’t hold it against you. This old man is turning eighty.” He smiles.
My eyes widen. “Shit, I’m sorry. I completely forgot. I haven’t had time to organize anything-” He holds his hand up.
“Not to worry. Mary has been on the case and has it all under control. Sian is helping her out with the rest.” He aims his next words at me. “You should invite her and a friend. She’ll enjoy it.”
“I highly doubt she’ll want to spend time with businessmen. Plus, not all of the attendees are into legit businesses. Do you really want her asking the wrong questions to the wrong people?” I play it cool, thinking he’ll buy it.
“Nonsense. You’re asking her and that’s final.” With that said, he turns and leaves.
“Can you believe this shit? I’ve got too much going on to think about a fucking party.” I rub my fingers over my forehead.
“I agree, but your father’s only eighty once. It’s at the estate, so what harm can it do to take one night off?” He shrugs.
“You haven’t thought about it, have you?” I say, smirking.
“What’s there to think about?”
“If Sian attends with a friend, that friend will be the feisty one from the club.”
His jaw tenses and his eyes widen. “Fuck that shit. Tell your father the party is cancelled.”
“Too late now. If I have to invite Sian, you can tolerate her friend. It’s only one night, right?” I laugh.
“Yeah, and a lot can happen in one night, Tate. I won’t be responsible for my actions if she rubs me the wrong way.”
“Or you could finally get that itch scratched that she caused.” I wiggle my brows suggestively. “Show her just how tiny that dick of yours truly is.” I howl, unable to control my laughter.
“You’re fucking hilarious.”
Once the laughter dies down, I get back to business and look through the finances of the club. This is always my and Rick’s job. He likes to be thorough, and he is the only one I trust to know the true goings-on of everything. So, we spend the next few hours doing just that, with no mention of my father’s party or Sian and Rowan.
I don’t know how or when I’ll ask Sian, but I know I’ll have to please my father. I don’t like letting him down, and like Rick said, he’s only eighty once. Who knows how many birthdays he’s got left?
I’m interrupted from my thoughts when there’s a knock on the door. “Come in.”
Clint walks in. "Morning, boss."
"What have you got for me?" I ask immediately.
Clint doesn't sit down like Rick. He doesn't have that privilege. "Joey is slowly climbing the ladder, which is excellent," Clint says. "But he says that whoever is at the head of the chain is being careful about letting new people get close to him."
I steeple my fingers again and rest them against my chin, thinking."This will prove to be difficult. We can't let Joey be overeager and give himself away. This will take time. Time we don't have."
Rick looks up. "Maybe we need to convert someone higher up."
I shake my head. "Too risky. We're already risking a lot with Joey."
Rick watches me, and Clint falls silent. I look between them and then stand up. "We need to increase security at the clubs. I will oversee that myself this time."
Rick looks at me with a questioning gaze, and I shake my head. "No offence, Rick. I just need to do something because I feel like I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop."
Rick nods and stands. "I'll drive you downtown to the club myself." The club in town is the closest to the estate and the biggest of the four I own. They’re all making me profit, but my baby will always be the one closest to home.
I look at Clint. "Keep an eye on Joey. Let me know if anything changes."
"Yes, boss," he says before leaving.
I look at Rick. "More bouncers. Discreet, though. Not dressed up. I want them to blend in with the crowd like before. That seemed to work. Let Liam lead one of the teams at the other clubs, but have someone keep an eye on him." I pick up my suit jacket and slip it on easily. I button it up. "And Rick... I'll drive. I'm a better driver anyway."
Rick huffs, followed by a laugh. "Weren't we in an accident yesterday?"
"Don't push your luck," I growl.
Rick follows me out of the room and down the stairs. I see Sian coming out of the dining hall, and I walk past her and out of the house without so much as a glance. If Rick acknowledges her presence, I don't notice and instead head straight to my car. I open the driver’s door to the Porsche and climb in, waiting for Rick to join me.