A Reckless Note (Brilliance Trilogy #1) - Lisa Renee Jones Page 0,64
we’ll talk about the contract.”
“He’s there, isn’t he?” he asks, the phone line now charged as tense as this room. “You’re with him. Of course. He moves fast.” When I would argue that far from true, he’s already moved on. “When can we meet? Commit to a time and place now.”
Kace must hear the question because his stare sharpens, his expression tightening.
“I’ll call you Monday, Alexander,” I say. “I need to go.” I hang up. “That was—”
“Alexander,” Kace supplies. “I heard.”
“Yes,” I say, not sure why I was even telling him who it was. He knew. I said Alexander’s name.
He saunters toward me, closing the space between me and him, stopping in front of me, his hand sliding possessively to my waist. He pulls me to him. “What are you doing with him?” His voice is low but tight, his mood dark.
“He offered me a retainer for some wine purchases. He’s trying to push out one of my other clients he apparently used to work for. I’m caught in the middle.”
“Because he’s a manipulative bastard. And he wants to fuck you. You know that, right?”
“You’ve said that. And he would say the same of you. He has. You both keep telling me the other one is the bad one.”
His energy jabs at the air. “And you say what, Aria?”
My hand settles on his chest, the thundering beneath my palm defying his cool exterior. He’s bothered by Alexander. He’s bothered by my connection to Alexander. “That I’m right here with you, Kace, where I want to be. And I know that he’s manipulative, but so are many people in business.”
“He doesn’t want it to be just business and I have a problem with that. On a personal level, you’re with me or you’re with him. I won’t share.”
“Because it’s Alexander or because it’s me?” I ask before I can stop myself.
“Baby, I couldn’t give a fuck about Alexander.” His voice vibrates and softens as he adds, “You are what matters to me.”
He means that, I believe. I read that in him, and for that reason, his words matter to me, as does his jealousy. I know what I felt with Kiki. I didn’t like it. “I’m with you. Just you, Kace.”
His hand slides under my hair and he tilts my face to his. “He’s dangerous, Aria, in ways you cannot imagine. Stay away from him.”
I want to give him what he wants, I want to just agree but it’s not that simple, not when Alexander represents resources I need to find Gio. Not unless I can negotiate a better deal with Ed. “I’ll be careful.”
“Damn it, Aria. If it’s money then—”
I shove on his chest and stare up at him. “Don’t say what you’re about to say. I have to deal with this on my own.”
“Because you think I won’t be here to help you deal with it?”
“I’m not going to just take your money. That’s not who I am or who we are. And you won’t be here forever, Kace. You’ve told me that already. You’re not the forever guy, remember? I’m not the forever girl either.”
He cups my head and presses his forehead to mine. “I’m present, baby. I’m present like I have never been with any other woman.”
My fingers curl on his cheek and I ease back to look at him. “As I am with you, but Alexander is business. I need you to trust me enough to know that I deal with men like Alexander often. I know how to keep them in their lane.”
“If he steps out—”
“I’ll step in, with my knee.”
His lips reluctantly curve. “I believe you would.”
“I would.”
“Good,” he says, but there is still an edge to him, a silent promise he will handle Alexander if I don’t, and I’m not sure if that’s about me or Alexander. Maybe both. For now, we’ve officially moved on when he eyes the bags by the bed. “What’s all that?”
“I took what I need for the weekend.”
He cast me in a keen inspection. “Because you don’t like that stuff?”
My chin lifts. “I have what I need.”
“Which you based on price tag, right?” He doesn’t wait for a reply. He unzips my suitcase, and proceeds the place all the bags inside. Once it’s zipped back up, he says, “Now we’re ready to go.” Already he’s hauling my bag and grabbing his by the door. “Come on, baby. We have a chopper to catch.”
I don’t fight him. He’s won the battle of price tags and done so