What We Do in the Night (Day to Night #1) - Stylo Fantome Page 0,110

on edge this morning, but right now ... you look like you want to tear someone's throat out with your teeth.”

“You volunteering?”

“This is about Valentine, isn't it,” Evans guessed. Ari glowered at him.

“It's a bad day,” he growled in response. “My dad's giving me shit about dumping Harper, and then all that bullshit with ADM. That's all.”

“Oh, that's all, huh?” Evans chuckled. “So you wouldn't have any problem with me going to Caché and asking Valentine on a date? Explore my 'options' with her, as it were?”

Jesus fucking christ, when it rains it goddamn pours.

“Let's not beat around the bush, shall we?” Ari asked, leaning over his desk. “You've been dying to know if you can buy some of Valentine's time. Fine, okay, yes, you could've – but seeing as how I've already paid for all of it and then some, you should probably find someone else.”

“Maybe I didn't want to pay for her time,” Evans replied. “Maybe I just wanted to ask for it.”

“You won't be asking for shit,” Ari snarled. “She's no longer on the market.”

“Do you hear yourself speak?” Evans laughed.

“If you so much as look at her again, I will bend you in half and shove your head up your own ass,” Ari threatened. Evans' laughter died away.

“Shit, you really care about her, don't you?” he asked. Ari continued glaring at him.

“Yes.”

“Damn,” he sighed. “I thought maybe I had a chance.”

“I assure you, you don't.”

“And Harper ...?”

“I broke up with her a month ago, but she's turned into somewhat of a stalker, and she's close with my father – that's it. I have no plans to get back together with her.”

“Wow. Giving up that prime connection all for your whore,” Evans whistled through his teeth. Ari slammed his hand down on his desk.

“Val is not a whore,” he said, his voice full of danger. “She never was, and if you say that word again, I swear to christ, I will beat the shit out of you.”

“Sorry,” Evans held up his hands. “Okay? I'm sorry, really. She's a great chick, however you two hooked up. I'm just being a sore loser.”

“Never bring her up again, and I'll consider us good,” Ari suggested, and Evans nodded.

“Done. Now let's get out of here – one more meeting to go, let's see if we can make this deal happen.”

The meeting was rough, Ari was distracted, his mind on Valentine. Wondering why she'd just shown up like that, and wondering how angry she was going to be when he got home. Evans came through in the pinch, covering for Ari's lack of enthusiasm, and they were able to answer every question and lay any concerns to rest.

By the time they walked out of ADM's corporate offices, Ari felt ten years older.

“Wanna get a late lunch?” Evans asked. He shook his head.

“No. I've got a full day today.”

“I can imagine.”

He shot a glare at him, but Evans was grinning away.

Stupid fuck is always smiling. He's probably never had a bad day in his life.

“Good luck. Let me know how it goes later,” Evans said, then he took a couple steps backwards, out of arms reach. “If she kicks you to the curb, give her my number.”

“I don't think so,” Ari replied. “But tell you what. I'll give Harper your number. You two will get along great.”

“Oh, jesus, pass. See you later.”

After Ari was nestled into the backseat of a private car, he shot off a text to Valentine. When she didn't respond right away, he frowned. She was usually quick to get back to him, especially during the days. He sent another text, and then another. When both went unresponded to for half an hour, he finally tried to call her.

It went straight to voicemail.

Never a good sign. Fuck, I hate women.

“I'm sorry,” he sighed the moment he heard the beep. “I know I was an asshole, but it was a bad fucking day, and my father ... it was just a really bad time. So if you'll let me, I'll take you out tonight and do whatever it is groveling involves, and then we can go home and you can slap me around for a while. Or preferably vice versa. Call me.” He almost hung up, then brought the phone back to his mouth. “Please.”

Ari had the driver take him home, thinking maybe Valentine would be there pouting. When he got to the front of his building, though, he saw right away that her bike wasn't on the rack. He glared