25. CHAPTER 25
25
IVAN
Tyler only spent about an hour with the contractors this morning before I drove him back into the city to work. I really wanted to hang around, to see if that guy that freaked Ty out yesterday would show up, but Tyler insisted my presence would cause problems. Not that I give a shit, but I caved as I needed to get back for a meeting with Lev, Dima and Simon. When I arrive back at the house, the sound of the building work instantly gives me a headache. I’ll be glad when the fuckers leave, the constant sound of drills and hammering along with the fucking mess their trucks leave makes me murderous. But it will be worth it when we all get our own spaces. Where I can have Tyler to myself.
As usual when any of us are around the house, we congregate in the kitchen. The guys are here, so I grab myself a quick coffee as they mumble on in some mundane conversation.
“Right, now you’re all here, I want to get this situation with Officer Tim sorted. Has Tyler seen him again, Ivan?” says Dima.
I shake my head while sipping on my coffee.
“No. Only that creep he saw yesterday.”
“Okay. As we already know from researching last time we had issues with that guy, his daughter Callie is in her final year at Princeton. She is single and straight from what Jules Lev had found last time. Simon, I want you to go and make contact with her, she will be meeting her friend at a bar tonight, like she does most Fridays. I don’t expect you to hook up with her, just chat to her, get her on camera in a fake IG story and some pics so we can use them on Tim. Get the message across for real this time.”
“How fun for me,” Simon complains.
“Do we have a fucking problem here, Simon? For the past few weeks you've done nothing but complain and bitch. If the work is too much, we can always end your contract here,” Dima warns, and the warning of that threat is not good. Simon has been more grumpy than usual, and quiet. Something is bugging him. I think it's his desire for Carlos’ dick, but I think it may be more than that? Who the fuck knows. He’s turning into Kai with all these moods.
“No, I just was hoping for something a little more hands on,” he says.
“This is hands on. Nothing is stopping you from hooking up with her,” Lev says.
“I don’t mean that kind of hands on,” Si sighs.
“Ahhh our little grump wants some blood action. What is it Si, you frustrated?” I tease, knowing I’ll get a reaction. Simon wants a fight, some aggression. Unfortunately Carlos is not here to be on the receiving end.
“Don’t tempt me, Ivan,” he says, looking at me with intent. His eyes are like the slits of a snake. Wow, he is pent up.
“I don't mind going a few rounds,” I say, loving the idea of punching the miserable shit.
“Nobody is doing anything but their job. Si get the fuck out of here as you need to leave in time to meet her. She normally meets her friend at eight pm. Dress casual and try to smile,” Dima orders and Si just walks away without a word. I hope Callie likes grouches.
“Ivan, you at the bar tonight?” Lev asks.
“Yeah. Tyler's brother is coming into town with his husband. I told Tyler to get him to meet us there later tonight.”
“You did what? Meeting the family? Are you okay?” Dima jokes, but it doesn’t bother me. I ain’t a sappy bastard like him.
“I’m fine. Gotta see the competition and make sure he knows his place.”
“This should be entertaining,” Lev says.
“Maybe bring Aaron, that should help his brother settle.”
“Fuck off, Ivan.”
“What? I’m serious. I need someone on my side.”
“Ivan, you are the least likely to need anyone to help you with anything. Now, go meet Jules at the docks. You’ve got a collection with Carlos to deal with.”
“That's news to me. You should’ve sent Simon.”
“Well Simon ain’t here and you are, so go. Why is everyone questioning me today?” Dima complains, rubbing his hand over his face.
“Bad leadership,” Lev says and Dima points his finger at him.
“You shut your mouth.”
“Make me …boss ,” Lev says and a slight grin appears on his face which is a rare fucking appearance. I decide to leave them to it as these brotherly barbs can go on for a while.
About half an hour later, I arrive at the freezing docks. Where the fuck is spring?
“I’ve been waiting an hour for you,” Jules says as I pull up next to his car.
“People need to stop complaining about my lateness. Its fucking Dima’s fault, he only tells me at the last second. I swear he has a memory problem.”
“Ha. Come on, Carlos is waiting and he seems agitated today.”
“Isn’t every fucking body? Simon is acting like he has a rod up his ass today.”
“They need to just fuck so we can have some peace,” Jules says and I turn to him.
“You noticed it too?”
“Kinda hard not to. I’ve never seen such a hate/love situation.”
We reach the shitty office that's as cold as it is outside. Carlos really is a vision in his long black woolen coat. He looks so out of place here. He would be more at home on a Prada runway.
“Ivan, I wasn't expecting you,” Carlos says when he looks up from the desk when we enter.
“I feel so loved. Simon is out on a job if that's what you’re asking,” I say as I cross my arms across my thick jacket, hoping it will warm me up.
“I wasn’t.”
“Yeah well, I think he'd rather be here than picking up a college girl.” I know I’m an asshole but I can’t help stirring the pot. Carlos’ face is priceless. Murderous. So sexy. He clenches his fists that are placed on the desk and looks down at his hands. Simon is in for a world of pain. They’re both so fucking jealous its comical.
“I’m sure he’ll succeed in his task,” Carlos says.
“No shit, the guy has a revolving door of women,” I say, and Jules nudges my arm.
“Are we going to do business, gentlemen?” Carlos asks, staring daggers at me and I smile my fakest smile as he tries to change the subject. But I allow it.
“Let's do it,” Jules says as he takes a seat, and I stand behind him as they go through the paperwork. I wonder if Ty is in his office? I know for sure he will be struggling to sit today as I pounded that sweet hole so good last night. Speaking of Tyler, my phone buzzes and I check it while Jules and Carlos chat.
Ty
That guy is here outside of my building. What should I do?
Ivan
Take a picture if you can and send it to me. I’m on my way. Stay in your office until I get there.
A few seconds later, Tyler sends through a picture of a tall guy in a hoodie outside of his building that he’s taken from the lobby. It's not a great picture as it's zoomed in and the guy has covered his face well. But at least I can pinpoint him when I get there.
Ivan
Got it. I’ll be there soon.
I open a new message and text Dima.
Ivan
That guy is back, he is outside Tyler’s work building. I’m gonna head into the city.
Dima
Take Jules with you. Do not approach him, Ivan. It's too public. Just try and find out who he is, try and get a good look at him.
I take a deep breath as this will be going against all my instincts. But I get it. I’ll just think of the reward when I get unlimited one on one time with whoever this fucker is.
“Jules, we gotta go. Dima needs us on a job, we need to wrap this up. See ya around, Carlos,” I say as I leave the office and walk to my car. Jules runs up behind me.
“What's going on?”
“Someone has been following Tyler and he’s outside of his work right now. We need to go before he leaves,” I say as I move around to the driver's seat.
“Oh shit, okay, I’ll follow behind.”
It's game on, whoever you are.