Chapter 28
Jamie
“Gentlemen, thanks for making the trip to Vegas.”
Benji Finka, the club owner, clinked his glass with the man seated to his left, his tone smooth and casual.
“Let’s get the business done before we bring in the entertainment,” he added.
Salt-and-pepper hair caught the light when he raised his glass, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he threw a playful glance toward the nearest woman.
Jamie tossed his phone on the glossy black surface of the table, its screen catching the neon light as it slid to a stop.
He reached for his glass, and the single ice cube inside rattled when he drained the liquor in a single long gulp.
His knee bounced with restless energy, his fingers flicking a spare coaster into the air, catching it. Every voice, every sound, every glance amplified.
Marcus shot him a knowing look. “Problem?”
Jamie met his brother’s gaze, his face a mask of calm.
“Nothing I can’t deal with.” He nudged his elbow into Marcus’s, offering a wink that said everything was under control, even if it wasn’t.
A pretty waitress arrived, her tray of drinks gliding toward them, balanced on one hand, high in the air. Sure, she had curves in all the places and thick fluttery lashes framing nice eyes, but her act was too fucking predictable.
There was no challenge, no thrill, no hunt. His gaze never wavered as her hips brushed against his arm, nor did he flinch when her ass lingered in his view, her movements deliberate as she took her time to set six shot glasses on the table, one by one.
The other men at the table eyed her every move, hanging on every inch of her exposed cleavage as she played the part.
It was all too easy.
“Gentlemen, excuse me. I need to make a call.” Jamie’s chair scraped against the floor as he stood and fixed his gold cufflinks.
Marcus grabbed his wrist before he could turn away.
“Business first,” he commanded, his grip firm. “Sit down.”
Jamie’s impatience flared, but he held it back. “I said excuse me.”
Marcus’s eyes flashed, his jaw setting, but he rose to meet his brother’s scowl without hesitation.
“We flew all this way for business,” he replied, his tone colder than usual, his patience holding steady, thanks to Lana’s influence.
“It’s not always about business, mate.” If Jamie had to hear that term one more time, he’d punch the fuck out of something, or someone.
How could he focus when Shannon had ghosted him? She’d checked out his selfie and the follow up text showed she’d read it, too…and still, nothing.
“I’ll be right back. Won’t take more than five minutes. I promise.” He nodded and stepped around the group, his stride confident as he headed toward the exit.
Once he passed through the pin-tucked velvet doors, he exhaled, grateful for the brief space to think.
He didn’t have time for games.
Yet his focus had unravelled, his mind consumed by nothing but her.
Before he’d boarded the jet, their texts had been a whirlwind of heat, flirtation, and desire—so damn hot they bordered on kinky.
Shannon had him worked up like a bronco, restless and ready to explode. Now she’d dropped off and he had no clue why.
Scrolling through his contacts, he tapped her name and hit dial. Her phone rang, then went to voicemail again, for the tenth time.
He swore under his breath, rage bubbling in his chest as he headed toward the bar, his mood tighter than ever.
His jaw clenched so hard it almost locked when he stormed back to the group of men.
“Sorted?” Marcus asked, narrowing his green eyes .
Jamie dropped his phone onto the table and shirked out of his tailored suit jacket. “Not yet. I’ll handle it.”
Marcus arched an eyebrow. “You sure about that?”
Jamie shot his brother a withering look and nodded. The frustration in his gaze was unmistakable, a silent plea for Marcus to shut the fuck up and keep things professional.
“So, what do you have for us, Finka?” Jamie asked, his tone abrupt. “We submitted that planning permit like a fucking century ago.”
Marcus cleared his throat, a subtle warning. One of Finka’s men straightened, his lips tight in a firm line.
“Jamie, I’ve heard you’re an asshole, but if we’re gonna do business, you need to show some respect.”
Jamie’s eyes flicked to his phone, a flash of irritation crossing his features. He pressed the home button, checking his battery, even though he’d charged it to full before leaving the suite.
“Are you even listening to me, you cocky fuck?” Finka growled, his patience thinning.
Jamie steepled his fingers, his gaze drilling into Finka. “Yeah, I heard your little bitchy yap all the way over here. We flew out here to get this done and you're dragging your fucking knuckles along the Vegas strip.”
Marcus’s chair scraped back as he rose to his feet. “Excuse us, gentlemen. My brother and I need a word in private.”
Jamie sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. He knew what was coming. It didn’t matter, though. He was finished with all the fucking games and bullshit.
Marcus would understand because Finka was a shady fucker who needed put in his place.
Standing, Jamie slid his phone into his pocket and shot Finka a look. “While we’re gone, why don’t you call your guy? Ask him what the holdup is. Find out how much it’ll take to get things moving, or you and I are done doing business together.”
“What the fuck is wrong with you today?” Marcus hissed once they were out of earshot.
“Nothing.” Jamie sat on a bar stool and ordered two whiskeys, straight no ice. “We’ve been doing this dance with Finka for long enough. He made a promise and now he’s holding out to see how much extra he can squeeze out of us. The guy’s a fucking rat.”
“Seriously, Jamie. He’s our contact. We need guys like him to get this project off the ground.
Building a hotel out here is huge for us.
And with a casino, it’ll be the biggest investment we’ve ever made…
never mind developed. And you’re acting like a stroppy fucking teen with blue balls.
Go fuck a pretty brunette or whatever it’s gonna take to get your mind back in the game. Or I’ll take over the deal from here.”
Jamie dragged a hand down the scruff on his jaw, letting out a long, frustrated sigh. “I’m not in the mood for tits and ass, Marcus.”
“What’s going on with you?”
Peering at his mobile phone for what seemed like the millionth time, Jamie’s irritation simmered just beneath the surface.
It had been way too long since her last message, and the longer he stared at the blank screen, the more he obsessed over something he couldn’t control.
“Shannon,” he muttered under his breath. “She’s the problem. She’s not answering my texts, or even my calls. I’ve turned into a fucking stalker with the amount of times I’ve rung her.”
Marcus, ever the steady presence, placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. The warmth of the gesture was what he needed, even if he needed Shannon more.
“Women are different to us,” Marcus said, his mouth curving into a lopsided smirk. “Did you piss her off? You’ve got a talent for rubbing people the wrong way. Like Finka.”
Jamie rolled his eyes.
“No. When I left, things were great between us. Better than great, actually. Then boom, she cut me off.” His voice dropped, frustration taking over.
Jamie shook his head, frustration lacing his voice as he stared into his glass. He took a long gulp of whiskey, the burn doing little to numb the restlessness inside him.
“I don’t get it. She was into me. Or at least, I thought she was.”
Marcus, seated across from him now, leaned back in his chair and sighed. He wasn’t one to rush in with advice, but his older brother’s agitated mood was hard to ignore.
With a calm, almost detached expression, Marcus reached for his own glass, swirled the amber liquor, and took a sip.
“Sometimes women aren’t after you, Jamie. They’re after what you can give them,” Marcus said, his voice stern. “And those kinds aren’t worth a damn.”
Jamie’s jaw tightened, and he sat up straighter. “She’s not like that. I’m telling you, Marcus, she’s not after my money, not like the others who just want sex and expensive gifts. I had to persuade her to meet me. That means something, right?”
Marcus’s eyes flickered with skepticism, but he said nothing for a long moment.
“I don’t know,” Marcus said, setting his glass down on a coaster and gesturing for two more. “If she really was into you, she wouldn’t ghost you like that. Maybe she has a few guys on her radar.”
Jamie’s lips curled into a bitter smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “She doesn’t. I don’t know what to tell you, Marcus. Shannon’s got her own life, her own goals. We’re supposed to hook up again this Friday when I get back.”
He ran a hand through his hair. “She’s in my fucking head, Marcus, and I don’t know how to deal with this quiet fucking distance.”
Marcus leaned forward, his eyes narrowed.
“Listen, I get you think she’s different. But if she’s meant for you, she’d be blowing up your damn phone and telling you she can’t wait for you to fuck her on Friday. That’s how it works. Not this bullshit.”
Jamie’s hackles rose. “Maybe she’s not used to someone like me being around. She’s independent.”
Marcus’s gaze softened, but the protective edge never left his voice .
“I’m just trying to look out for you. If she’s pulling away, she’s not worth the hassle. You’ve always had your pick of women. Go find someone else and stop letting Shannon mess with your head. You’re obsessed with her because she’s the one you can’t have. It’s all just mind games, mate.”
Jamie yanked at the top button on his dress shirt, popping it open and loosening his tie.
“You don’t get it. I’ve never met anyone like her. If she’s pulling away, it’s not because she doesn’t care. It’s because she’s got walls up. I just need to be patient. I know what I feel, Marcus, and I’m not backing down from the challenge.”
“And what happens when you bust through those walls of hers and then you get bored with her?”
Jamie’s jaw tightened, his gaze hardening.
“I really like the girl. And if you can’t see that, then maybe you don’t know me as well as you think.” His voice lowered, his words weighed with conviction. “I’m not just gonna let her go.”
Marcus looked at him for a long moment, studying his brother with a mixture of concern and frustration. “Take the jet home tonight, Jamie. Sort your shit out. Go do whatever you have to do. I’ll cover things here.”
Jamie looked at him, appreciating the offer while knowing how much there was at stake in Vegas. “Thanks, Marcus. I’ll make it up to you, I swear.”
“I mean it,” Marcus pressed. “Pull yourself together. Not all women will bow to you, Jamie. If she’s not interested, move the fuck on. Don’t waste your time. ”
“Who wouldn’t like me?” Jamie joked, pulling his phone from his pocket again, his thumb hovering over the screen.
His finger swiped across the screen, but there weren’t any new messages.
He was certain they had a connection. And she knew it, too. If he had to work harder to impress her, then that’s what he’d do.
Now there was only one destination—Shannon.
“I’m not waiting until tonight. Once the jet’s ready, I’m out of here.”
Marcus’s slow exhale spoke volumes. “Then go get her.”
Jamie knocked back the last of his whiskey, a spark of resolve cutting through his frustration. No more second-guessing.
He knew exactly what he had to do.