Chapter Ten
KILLIAN
T he boat began to slow, a noticeable but smooth change under our feet. “What’s going on?” Eva asked, snuggling further into my side as though she needed me to steady her. She’d kept pushing for me to take her below, but tonight, the idea of taking her to bed didn’t appeal to me.
“I’ve got some business to take care of.” I tucked a few loose strands of hair behind her ear, not feeling the same rush of attraction to her I normally did.
She clung to my side. “I’ll go with you.”
“Not tonight.” I eased away and began the trek to the pickup spot. Not missing the glare she tossed my way or how she immediately started to whisper furiously to her friends, she probably knew something was off.
Tonight might just be the last night I engaged with her. If she’d begun to expect more from our casual arrangement, that was it.
As I approached the area, I noticed my new friends helping two men aboard from the boat drawn up alongside the yacht. I hung back, waiting to be introduced. Once they stood before me, I closed in.
They were both imposing figures, dressed to blend in with the colors of the night. A darkness swirled around them. Something I could appreciate.
This was it. The faint buzz of nerves just below the surface of my skin kept me sharp.
The one on the right laid his hand by his right hip, near the gun I caught a glimpse of. The other fixed dark brown eyes on me and grunted, as if, finding me inadequate. Distaste curled the corners of his mouth and was a clear indication he was put off that I demanded this meeting. “You wanted to see me.”
“I did. No offense, but after being a longtime customer and now associate, I’m at risk. It was time to put a face to the name.” Nikol Petrosian, his boss, was elusive at the best of times.
His lips flattened into a hard line. I wondered if I pushed too hard. “Don’t start giving yourself any importance to this situation or deal. Just because you’re giving us an avenue to move our product doesn’t mean you’re irreplaceable.”
“I see.” Was that a threat? I had a knife strapped to the inside of my boot and security nearby with guns watching us in case they were needed.
Replaceable. Expendable. Nonessential. Is this really what I’d become? Or was it a theme that I couldn’t quite shake off in my lifetime?
Both gentlemen remained silent.
“We good?” I finally asked, wanting to move things along before my guests became suspicious. The fewer witnesses the better.
He gave me a brief nod and gestured to the craft he cleared. “We’re starting with a small amount. If this goes well, we’ll consider doing business with you again.”
Once the product had been stored below, the two men left in their boat. “Satisfied?” Griff asked, coming up behind me. I didn’t appreciate his attitude. He was annoyed that I’d asked to meet with someone higher up on the chain than he was. He had illusions of grandeur with his spot in the organization.
“Very,” I agreed. “Do me a favor, let most of my guests depart before you move anything. I don’t need someone seeing and spilling to the wrong people.”
“This isn’t my first rodeo, dick.”
Sometimes I wondered why I bothered with him.
No, but it might be our last if you’re not careful, asshole. I kept my mouth shut not wanting to sour our current partnership.
As I walked away from the deal, my cocaine buzz faded, and a cold reality settled in. This was my life now. Drugs, danger, and superficial connections.
Trissa popped into my thoughts. Once again, I couldn’t banish her from my mind. It was like she’d taken root and I couldn’t shake her loose. What would she think if she saw me now?
She’d be disappointed. Likely horrified. And knowing my Tink, she’d try to save me.
I shook off the thought. There was no saving me now. I was in too deep, and all this was too dangerous for her.
It was the reassurance I needed. The reminder to tell her no and walk away now. Tris was too innocent for all this.
I shook off my melancholy thoughts, plastered on my host smile once again, and rejoined the party, making every effort to ignore the growing emptiness in my gut.
I was better off alone.
Just like always.