16. Jackson
JACKSON
The salt air carries on the breeze as I watch Aliyah work her magic. She perches on the edge of a shipping container, legs crossed at the ankle, playing with that damn necklace she always wears. Our buyer, Jun Chen, can't take his eyes off her.
"So you're saying you can get us better prices than our current supplier?" Chen leans against his Mercedes, trying to appear casual while his security detail stands at attention.
"I have certain... connections." Aliyah's voice drips honey. "The kind that could make life very profitable for everyone involved."
My jaw clenches. She's good at this game - too good. I maintain my position by the weapons cache, arms crossed, focusing on the deal instead of the way her dress rides up her thigh.
"And these connections," Chen steps closer to her, "they're reliable?"
"Mr. Amato can vouch for my reliability." She shoots me a look through those impossibly long lashes. "I never disappoint."
The shipping containers echo with Chen's laugh. "Perhaps we should discuss terms over dinner. Just the two of us?"
Metal groans under my grip. The edge of the container cuts into my palm, but the pain helps me maintain control. Every muscle in my body screams to put this piece of shit in his place.
"That won't be necessary." My voice comes out like gravel. "The terms are simple. Twenty percent below market rate, delivery in three days. Yes or no?"
Chen's smile falters as he finally notices my tension. Smart man. "Seems I've touched a nerve."
"You haven't touched anything." I push off the container. "And you won't."
Aliyah slides off her perch, that calculated grace in every movement. "What Mr. Amato means is that all business goes through him. Company policy."
"Of course." Chen straightens his tie. "Then we have a deal."
The breeze picks up, carrying the scent of her perfume. Everything in me is screaming to prove to both of them who she belongs to. I'm on the edge of ending him just to make a fucking point.
"We're done here." I motion to my men to load up. "Three days, Chen. Don't be late with the money."
Not caring how it looks, I pull Aliyah into my side and practically drag her to the car. I can't get out of here fast enough as I block her from view and then go around to my side.
The tires screech as I take the corner too fast in my rush to put distance between Aliyah and Chen, my knuckles white against the steering wheel. Aliyah sits in silence, her fingers playing with that necklace.
I can't seem to leash my anger. "You want to explain what that was back there?"
"What was what?" She examines her nails, feigning innocence. "We got the deal, didn't we?"
"Don't play dumb. It doesn't suit you." I slam on the brakes at a red light. "You were practically in his lap."
"Jealous, tough guy?" Her lips curl into that dangerous smile. "Or worried I might actually find a better offer?"
"You're not going anywhere." The words come out as a growl. "You're mine, remember?"
"Yours?" She turns in her seat, those gold-flecked eyes flashing. "Is that what we're calling blackmailing now?"
"Want to take your chances with the cops instead?"
"Maybe I would. At least they're honest about what they want."
My hand shoots out, gripping her chin. She doesn't flinch - she never does. "You have no idea what I want."
"Don't I?" Her breath hits my lips, close enough to taste. "I know what you want, and I am more than willing to give it to you-"
I release her like she burns. "Shut up."
"Make me."
The air crackles between us. Her chest rises and falls rapidly, that delicate necklace catching the streetlights. I want to rip it off. I want to unleash myself on her and see if she can really take it.
But I know she can. And it would only make everything worse if I prove that to myself.
"You're playing a dangerous game, angel."
"I'm not playing." She leans closer, her perfume filling my lungs. "That's what scares you, isn't it?"
A horn blares behind us. The light turned green without either of us noticing. I press the gas, harder than necessary, watching her brace herself against the door.
"The only thing that scares me is how quickly you'd sell me out if given the chance."
"Keep telling yourself that." She turns to the window, but I catch her reflection - the hurt she tries to hide. "Whatever helps you sleep at night."
I pull into my driveway, killing the engine but making no move to exit. The tension follows us from the car, thick enough to choke on.
"You think I don't see what you're doing?" I turn to her. "Using yourself as bait, dangling in front of every man who might be useful?"
"At least I'm honest about it." She unbuckles her seatbelt with deliberate slowness. "Unlike someone who kidnaps a woman and pretends it's about information."
"You think that's what this is about?"
"Isn't it?" Her fingers trace the edge of her necklace. "Or are you going to finally admit you took me because you want to fuck me?"
The crude words on her delicate tongue make my blood surge. "Watch yourself."
"Why? Because I'm right?" She shifts closer, that damn dress riding higher. "It's okay, you know. You're only human. And I'd let you have it." Her eyes drag over me. "I bet you'd even be good."
Something snaps inside me. I grab her wrist, yanking her closer until our breaths mingle. "You think that's all it would take? One fuck and I'd be over you?"
"Isn't that how it works?" Her voice wavers for the first time. "Get it out of your system?"
"Get it out of my system?" A harsh laugh escapes me. "You're already in my system. You're under my fucking skin. In my head. Every time I close my eyes, I see you. Every time I breathe, I smell your perfume. You think one night would fix that?"
Her eyes widen, those gold flecks catching the porch light. For once, that knowing smirk falters. I can't even bring myself to regret the words.
"You're not a conquest, angel. You're not a piece of ass I want to claim. You're an addiction. A fever I can't sweat out. And that's what terrifies you, isn't it? That I see past your games. Past your bargaining. Past all your carefully constructed walls."
"You don't know anything about me." But her voice trembles.
"I know everything about you. That's why you're here. That's why you can't leave. Because I'm the only one who sees you."
I watch her storm out of the car, that graceful stride turned sharp with anger. Every line of her body radiates fury - from her clenched fists to the rigid set of her shoulders. The sight only feeds the rage burning in my chest.
I slam my door and follow her up the path. "Running away because you can't handle someone being fucking honest with you for once?"
She spins around, her hair whipping in the night air. Those gold-flecked eyes blaze with something dangerous. "Honest? You want to talk about honesty?"
"That's right, angel. Can't take it when someone sees through your bullshit?"
"Why don't you be fucking honest for once, then, Jackson? What do you want from me?" She advances on me, jabbing a finger into my chest. "Why am I really here? Because we both know this isn't about your deals or my job anymore."
I tower over her but she doesn't back down. Never has. It's part of what makes her so goddamn infuriating. And why I've never been able to walk away.
"You can't just enjoy the chase this much." Her voice cracks. "So what the fuck is it?"
Something inside me snaps. I grab her wrist and force her back, pinning her against my front door. Her chest heaves against mine, that delicate necklace catching the porch light. The scent of her perfume fills my lungs, making my head spin.
"You." The word comes out as a whisper against her lips. "It's always been you."
Her eyes widen, that carefully constructed mask finally cracking. For once, the master manipulator has nothing to say.
I press closer, caging her between my arms. "You want honesty? There it is. The truth you've been running from since the moment we met."