12. Jackson
JACKSON
Idrum my fingers against the polished conference table of this assholes high rise, watching Aliyah work her magic on our potential buyer. Adria leans forward, completely caught in her web as she laughs at something he's said. The sound pierces through me like shards of glass.
"You're absolutely right." Aliyah trails her fingers along the edge of her necklace. "The price point seems high, but consider the quality you're getting."
My jaw clenches as Adria's eyes follow the movement of her hand. The way she's positioned herself, the slight tilt of her head - it's a calculated dance I've watched her perform countless times since forcing her to stay with me. But knowing her methods doesn't make it any easier to stomach.
"Perhaps we could discuss this over dinner?" Adria's accent thickens with interest.
Like fuck they will. I shift in my chair, the leather creaking under my weight.
"The terms are non-negotiable." My voice cuts through their exchange. "Take it or leave it."
Aliyah shoots me a look that could freeze hell before turning back to Adria with a smile that makes my blood boil. Especially after how she's been flirting with me. "What my associate means is-"
"What I mean is exactly what I said." The words come out as a growl. I don’t fucking like the way she's toying with him.
It's too much like how she does with me.
She's been playing this game with me for weeks now - lingering touches when she passes me coffee in the morning, "accidentally" leaving her bedroom door open while changing.
At first I thought she was trying to manipulate her way out of my custody. But there's something else in those gold-flecked eyes when she looks at me, something that matches the heat coursing through my veins.
It's only scrambled my mind. Is she trying to gain the upperhand? Clearly she's used to men falling all over themselves for her. But I'm not sure what she thinks will happen if she finally snaps my control. It won't end well for her.
Not when it will only make me more obsessed. Her smart mouth and good looks might have initially drew me in. But it's her quick wit and fearlessness that has me wanting to own every part of her.
And I'm hanging by a thread.
Adria signs the contract ten minutes later, Aliyah's charm smoothing over my harsh tactics.
As she walks him to the door, her hips swaying in that calculated way that drives me fucking insane, I realize I'm in dangerous territory.
This woman is more than just a pretty face and smart mouth.
She's as ruthless as I am, as cunning as any predator.
And instead of making me want to cage her, it makes me want to possess every brilliant, dangerous inch of her.
She can't be controlled, and I'm dangerously close to letting her take whatever she wants from me.
Back at my place, I watch Aliyah slip off her heels by the door, moving through my space like she owns it. Like she belongs here. The thought hits harder than it should.
"That went well." She stretches, her dress riding up her thighs. "Even with your caveman routine."
"You mean your little performance?" I keep my voice level despite the anger still simmering under my skin. "Batting those eyes, playing with your necklace?"
"Jealous?" She saunters closer, a predatory gleam in her eyes. "Don't worry, tough guy. I save my best tricks for you."
Her fingers trail up my chest, but all I can see is how she did the same for Adria, used the same calculated movements. My hand snaps around her wrist.
"That's your problem, angel. You think everyone's a mark." I lean in close, drinking in how her breath catches. "But I'm not one of your rich boys you can wrap around your finger."
"No?" Her free hand slides up my neck, nails scraping my skin. "Then why are you holding me like you can't decide whether to push me away or pull me closer?"
Fuck. She's right. My grip loosens but I don't let go. Can't let go.
"You're good at what you do." The words come out rough. "Playing people, making them see what they want. But I see you."
"Do you?" She presses against me, all soft curves and sharp edges. "Or do you see what I want you to see?"
The question hits too close to home. Because she has slipped into my world seamlessly - handling business deals, charming contacts, matching my darkness step for step. And I'm starting to need it. Need her.
That's exactly what she wants. To become essential. To gain leverage.
I release her wrist, stepping back. "Go change. We're done for today."
Her laugh follows me as I stalk away. "Whatever you say, tough guy."
I pour three fingers of whiskey, the amber liquid catching the dim light as my phone vibrates. Ryker's name flashes across the screen.
"Everything good?" The glass clinks against my teeth.
"I need you to arrange transport for Naya.
" His voice carries that edge it always does when she's involved.
My cousin might act like he just kidnapped the nurse for his own purposes, but it's clear he's obsessed with her.
"We've had a security breach problem at the house.
I want her moved to the safehouse on Lake George. "
My chest tightens. I didn't tell Aliyah I always knew where Naya was. It would only upset her and she is safer with one of the best criminal coders than anywhere else.
I take another sip, ice shifting. "I'll handle it. I'll shoot you a text once it's ready."
He grunts his thanks. "How's your little deal closer doing?"
The question hits like a punch. My grip tightens on the glass as I think of Aliyah upstairs, probably plotting her next move to drive me insane.
"Fuck if I know anymore." The words scrape out before I can stop them. "She's... getting under my skin."
"Finally admitting it?"
"I shouldn't want her." I drag a hand down my face. "She's dangerous. Smart. Too fucking good at what she does. But I can't..." The rest sticks in my throat.
"Can't let her go?" Ryker's knowing tone grates on my nerves. "You're fighting a losing battle, cousin."
"I haven't touched her." Not that I don't want to fuck her. God, she's got my head screwed on wrong, and I want nothing more than to burrow as deep into her as she's done to me.
But I worry that I'll never survive it.
"And that's working out well for you?"
I drain the glass, welcoming the burn. "The second I do, I'll lose what's left of my control. She already owns too much of my head."
"You're an idiot." Ryker's laugh holds no humor. "Fighting what you want never ends well. Look how that worked out for me with Naya."
"This is different." But even I don't believe it anymore.
"Keep telling yourself that. Let me know when transport's arranged."
The line goes dead. I stare at the empty glass, thinking about Aliyah upstairs, how I'm keeping this secret about her friend from her. But Naya's safe - safer than she's ever been with my obsessed cousin watching her every move.
Just like I watch Aliyah.
Fuck. Maybe Ryker's right. Maybe I am an idiot.
I jolt awake, sheets tangled around my legs, her name caught in my throat. My hands reach across the empty mattress, searching for curves that aren't there. The digital clock reads 3:47 AM, its red numbers cutting through darkness.
Fuck.
I sit up, running a hand over my face. The dream clings like smoke - Aliyah beneath me, those clever hands marking my skin, that sharp mouth finally put to better use. The phantom sensation of her body against mine feels so real my muscles ache.
"Get it together," I mutter, swinging my legs over the side of the bed. The wood floor is cold under my feet as I stand.
This wasn't supposed to happen. She was meant to be an asset - someone to help close deals while I figured out how to get her out of my fucking head. I snapped when I saw her at that party and I needed a way to get this under my control.
But now... Now, I'm spiraling more than ever.
The truth hits like a knife between the ribs - I'm in too deep. Every calculated touch, every challenging smirk has wormed under my skin. She's dismantled my defenses piece by piece, and I let her because I'm fucking addicted to the way she pushes back.
I could let her go. The thought sends ice through my veins, my fingers curling into fists. She's dangerous, unpredictable. Keeping her here was supposed to be about control.
But the alternative - giving in, letting her see how badly I want to claim every calculating, brilliant part of her and becoming that much more entrenched in her - that's even more dangerous.
Because Aliyah Richards doesn't do vulnerability.
And I refuse to become another notch in her belt of conquered men.
I need to make a decision before she strips away what's left of my control. Before I forget why I'm keeping my distance in the first place.
But both options feel like losing, and I've never been good at that.