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What the fuck was he thinking, walking into this with Dad’s money in his pocket and expecting me to buckle? That I’d crawl back to Tempest, marry whoever they put in front of me, and leave Jade here for Vasco to pick apart?
Fine. I’ll go back to Tempest, take exactly what I want with me, and let Dad choke on the consequences when I get there.
I look up at Jade’s window again, already rearranging the board in my head. I’m not going back alone. “Let’s go.”
Jade looks spectacular as he steps out of the private lift.
Furious, but spectacular.
By the time he gets here, I’ve washed the blood off, changed my shirt, and done absolutely fuck all about the split in my lip. I had him collected before his shift ended, and judging by the scowl he wears as he crosses the glass bridge toward me, he did not appreciate it.
Consider it payment for that impossible pride that follows him everywhere. His refusal to thank me for clearing his debts. His refusal to come back to my bed last night when I wanted him there. And he still never accepted my fucking dinner invitation.
I watch him from the bar at the far end of the bridge. I had a garment bag sent ahead to the mine changing rooms before the car arrived, and he’s wearing every piece I chose. Dark trousers. A deep green shirt, the collar open over the marks I left two nights ago. He’d have argued with the driver, the clothes, and probably the fucking hanger. He put them on anyway.
Slowing near the middle of the bridge, his gaze moves over the glass walls, the exits, and the people between us before finally landing on me. Then he comes straight toward me, furious and so fucking sexy.
The bar belongs to the Vultures. Money alone doesn’t get anyone through that lift. You need a House name, a Vulture seal, or someone inside willing to bring you in. Vasco could throw credits at the doors all night and still be drinking somewhere else.
I could have taken Jade anywhere on Calder, but Dad’s little spies won’t have to work hard for this one. By tomorrow, he’ll know exactly where I brought Jade tonight.
That’s exactly why I chose it.
Yeah, Dad. Watch your carefully laid plans turn to shit.
Jade reaches the bar, turning slowly as he takes it all in. His gaze catches on the Vulture crest etched into the glass behind me, and his steps falter for half a beat.
“You like it?” I ask, resting an elbow against the bar beside the unopened bottle of champagne.
“Do I like it? You had me collected off my shift like a parcel.”
“I meant the bar, prey. Not your shift.”
He lifts his chin and gives the room another sweeping green-eyed look.
“Did you sleep at all?”
He scoffs, turning back to me. Now that he’s closer, I can see the shadows beneath his eyes. He looks fucking exhausted. “You know the answer to that question.”
Unfortunately, I do.
Why the fuck did you take Onyx back to that crappy place you call home last night?
I watched him collect his brother after his shift and carry their bags back home, with pride walking point and Onyx behind him. I’d given the man a room with medical-grade air, yet he still chose dust just because it belonged to him.
Stubborn fucking creature.
“Come and sit down.” I reach for the champagne and the two glasses waiting beside it. “They have a private corner over there.”
Grabbing the bottle, I slide off the stool and head toward the VIP area, already knowing he’ll follow even if he spends the entire walk pretending he won’t.
I had the table reserved earlier. I’m nervous, and it’s a strange enough feeling that I might enjoy it if it weren’t for the jittery vibe Jade is giving off in waves. Something’s wrong with him tonight. Something my cameras didn’t catch.
“What happened to your face?” he asks the moment he takes the seat across from me, eyes darting between the champagne and my fresh bruises.
“A disagreement. You should have seen the other guys.” I smirk when I catch him staring at my lip. It might hurt like a motherfucker, but seeing him flush is fucking priceless.
“The other guys,” he mouths, then falls silent.
