23. Jazz
23
JAZZ
I pace across my living room, running fingers through my curls while my friends sit scattered around the penthouse. Their expressions range from shock to horror as I finish recounting the events of the last few weeks.
I decided to be honest with them. But now, I'm starting to regret that decision.
"This is insane." Kendra leans forward on the leather sectional. "You're telling me he let you come with him? While he killed a bunch of guys?"
"Um…sort of?" I glance at Tony, who Marco pulled in for today since the girls were here, standing stoically by the door. "But I asked to go."
Skye springs up from her perch on the arm chair. "Girl, you need to run. Like, pack your bags and get the hell out of Chicago tonight."
"I'm not going anywhere." The city lights twinkle beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows, a stark reminder of everything I've built here. "This is my home. My life."
"Your life won't mean shit if you end up dead." Kendra's voice cracks. "We've seen you fight your way back before. After Leo-"
"Don't." I hold up my hand. "This is different. Nerio isn't-" The words catch in my throat.
"Isn't what? A dangerous criminal?" Skye throws her hands up. "Because that's exactly what he is."
"I know what he is." My voice comes out sharper than intended. "But I also know who he is. With me."
The room falls silent. Mikayla, who's been unusually quiet, shifts on the couch. Her fingers twist nervously in her lap.
"I might..." She clears her throat. "I might know someone who could help."
Everyone turns to look at her. Sweet, innocent Mikayla who bakes cookies for stray cats and cries at coffee commercials.
"What do you mean?" I ask.
"A friend." She sits up straighter. "He works in private security. Like, serious security. The kind that deals with..." She glances at Marcus before continuing. "With situations like this."
"Security?" Kendra scoffs. "She's already got a guard."
"No, it's different." Mikayla's voice grows stronger. "He specializes in hacking. He might be able to help Nerio solve his issue."
We all stare at her, shocked at that reaction. Mikayla is hands down the sweetest girl here — possibly the sweetest I've ever met.
"What the fuck is happening?" Skye asks, looking between the two of us.
I don't have much of an answer.
We manage to make it through brunch, though, with Kendra and Skye calming down marginally. I swear I won't go with Nerio on anymore shootouts — which is probably for the best — and they say they won't push me on why I'm staying with Nerio.
But when it's time for everyone to leave, I ask Mikayla to stay behind. "Do you think I can meet your friend?"
She looks from me to Tony. "Let me give him a call."
I don't question it when this mysterious hacker has time to meet me right now. Instead, I take Mikayla out to Tony's car, and she directs him where to go. We head north of the city, out of Bueti and Mantione territory, and I'm partially relieved to see that this guy isn't entrenched in the dark underbelly. I don't think Mikayla could handle it anyway.
The tech company office building that Mikayla has us stop at looks deceptively normal from the outside. Mikayla leads us through security and up to the fourteenth floor, where sleek glass walls reveal an open workspace filled with monitors and complicated equipment I don't understand.
A tall guy with dark curls and thick-framed glasses looks up from his desk. His eyes light up when he spots Mikayla.
"Hey stranger." He stands, revealing tattoos peeking out from under his rolled sleeves. Not your typical IT nerd. "This must be Jazz?"
"I am," I answer as Mikayla just nods with a soft smile.
"Elliott." He extends his hand, and his grip is firm. Professional. "Mikayla mentioned you might need some specialized assistance."
"That's putting it mildly." I glance at Tony, who gives a subtle nod.
Elliott gestures to a private conference room. "Let's talk somewhere more secure."
Once we're settled, I notice how Mikayla's eyes brighten when Elliott pulls out her chair. Interesting.
"So." Elliott leans forward, fingers steepled. "I understand you're having issues with the Mantiones."
I tense. "How much did Mikayla tell you?"
"Enough to know I can help." He taps his watch and a holographic display appears, showing what looks like security camera feeds. "I specialize in surveillance systems. Getting in, getting out, leaving no trace."
"And you can access their cameras?"
"Cameras, phones, security systems." His smile turns sharp, and I start to wonder if maybe this guy does have a bit of a darker side. "Even their fancy Italian coffee makers if you want."
Mikayla giggles, and Elliott's expression softens when he looks at her. The change is subtle but unmistakable.
"That would be..." I choose my words carefully. "Extremely helpful."
"I thought it might be." Elliott pulls out a tablet, fingers flying across the screen. "The Mantiones updated their security last month. State of the art stuff. But every system has weaknesses."
"And you can find them?"
"Already have." He slides the tablet over. "These are their current camera positions. Notice anything interesting about the blind spots?"
I study the layout while watching Mikayla lean closer to Elliott, ostensibly to see the screen. Their shoulders brush. Neither moves away.
"Do you think you'd have time to come meet my…" Wow. I never really thought about how I'd introduce Nerio now. He's not just my boss. But is he my boyfriend? My…lover? I don't know what to say so I settle on, "Nerio."
He stands, offering a hand to Mikayla. "Why don't I drop Mikayla off at home, and I'll meet you over there now?"
My eyes are on my friend, who is smiling up at Elliott as she takes his hand. "That would be perfect."
I leave with Tony, not missing the way that Mikayla and Elliot are still standing alone in the office, staring at each other.
That is very, very interesting.
But I'm more surprised when I get to Nerio's office in the center of the city, and Elliott is already standing by the front door. He smiles at me, the look softening his otherwise intimidating demeanor, as I approach.
I lead Elliott through the glossy marble lobby of Nerio's office building, Tony trailing behind us. The elevator ride is silent, my stomach doing flips as we ascend to the top floor. I'm not sure how Nerio will react to me bringing an outsider into his space unannounced, but surely Tony would have said something if I shouldn't.
The doors open to reveal Marco standing guard. His eyes narrow at Elliott.
"He's with me." I step forward. "Is Nerio in?"
Marco nods, pressing his earpiece. "Boss, Jazz is here. She's brought company."
We're waved through to Nerio's office. He's standing behind his desk, radiating tension as his steel-gray eyes lock onto Elliott. The temperature in the room seems to drop ten degrees.
"What's this?" Nerio's voice is deceptively calm.
"This is Elliott. He's a friend of Mikayla's, and he might be able to help with our Mantione situation."
Elliott maintains a respectful distance from me, hands visible at his sides. Smart guy. "Mr. Bueti. I understand you're having some technical difficulties with your neighbors."
Nerio's jaw tightens. "And you think you can help?"
"I know I can." Elliott pulls out his tablet. "I've already mapped their security system weaknesses. Camera blind spots, network vulnerabilities, access points." He sets the tablet on Nerio's desk. "Their new setup isn't as impenetrable as they think."
Nerio studies the screen, his expression unchanging. "And what do you want in return?"
"A favor." Elliott meets Nerio's gaze steadily. "Nothing specific right now. Just the knowledge that if I need something in the future, I can call."
"You're one of Costa's guys." Nerio's eyes narrow. It's not a question.
"I do occasional work for them, yes." Elliott doesn't flinch. "But this would be between us."
Nerio circles his desk slowly, like a predator sizing up potential prey. "And why should I trust you?"
"Because I could have hacked your systems instead of coming to you directly." Elliott's voice remains calm. "And because Jazz trusts Mikayla, who vouches for me."
I hold my breath as Nerio considers this, his eyes flicking briefly to me before returning to Elliott.
Nerio's jaw works as he considers Elliott's offer. His fingers drum against the polished surface of his desk - a rare tell of his internal debate. A capo owing favors is dangerous territory, especially to someone connected to another family.
"And you're certain you can access their systems?" Nerio's voice carries that dangerous edge I've come to recognize.
"Already have." Elliott maintains his calm demeanor. "I could show you their security feeds right now if you'd like."
Nerio's eyes narrow. "Do it."
Elliott's fingers fly across the tablet. Within seconds, multiple video feeds appear - different angles of the Mantione compound. The timestamp in the corner shows it's live footage.
"Fine." Nerio straightens his jacket. "One favor. To be determined at a later date. How long will you need?"
"I can come back tomorrow. Set up and work with you directly so you can see what I'm finding in real time."
I see the surprise that Nerio quickly hides. "Tomorrow then."
Elliott heads for the door but pauses with his hand on the handle. "By the way, it took me five minutes to hack your cameras too." His lips quirk up. "If you want that vulnerability fixed, that'll be two favors."
The door clicks shut before Nerio can respond.
Nerio's glare could melt steel as he turns to me. "You brought a hacker into my office without warning?"
I step closer, leaning in to press a quick kiss to his stubbled cheek. His cologne wraps around me - spicy and familiar. "A hacker who just showed us exactly how vulnerable both you and the Mantiones are. Imagine what he could do if he was working for us instead of just showing off."
His hand catches my hip, keeping me close. "You're lucky he proved useful."
"I'm always useful." I trail my fingers down his tie. "And you know it."
The muscle in his jaw jumps. "We'll see how useful your little hacker friend turns out to be." He drags me into his lap. “And now I’m going to have to cancel my next meeting.”
“Why?” I drag my hand along his jaw, tracing down his neck, as my stomach tightens in anticipation.
“Because I’m about to fuck you over this desk.” He leans in, his eyes darkening. “I don’t like seeing you alone with other men.”
“I was with Tony,” I protest as he pushes me chest first onto the desk before him.
“I don’t care.” Nerio shoves the sundress I’m wearing up around my hips, his hands spreading my thighs apart. “I don’t fucking like it, and now I’m going to mark you. Remind you that you belong to me.”
And with the promise of a reward so sweet, I don’t argue with him. Not when I get his mouth and fingers and finally his cock buried into my pussy.