energizing beverage, and we shared more intimate kisses before I worked on finishing the remainder of it.
"You know I'll never replace you," I quietly informed him.
"I know." There was no doubt in his reply. "But that doesn't mean I didn't fear the possibility. And I guess he's right. I fear the lack of confidence he carries...but it's something that can be worked upon."
"Will you help him with that?" I was asking just in general. He obviously wasn't obligated to, but I felt like Onyx could connect with Saint in a way like he warmed up to Neo.
"Ya," he replied. "I'll help him in my way."
"No taunting," I huffed.
"I wasn't going to go completely down that route, Sugar," he muttered, but I knew what a big, fat lie that was. "Want me to go away now?"
"Hmm." I closed my eyes for a moment and snuggled against him. "No. Maybe I'll just enjoy being in your arms and drinking coffee until the car is ready."
"I'd like that."
We'll find a balance that supports all of us.
20
Branding, Invitation, And Police Problems: Part Two
"Dimitris gave me an invitation to the fashion show?" I confirmed with Jayce as he worked on figuring out what the best route was for us to take with the heavy traffic.
I was famished, but the traffic would surely take us two damn hours to get through, and my stomach wasn't about that life. Traffic before reservations, seating, and food being made would mold me into a hangry bitch.
I'd switched out into a bright red ruched dress with golden polka dots. My hair was up with a red and gold ribbon tie and I was letting my tattoos enjoy some of the sun's nice rays as it began to set and wash the sky with wondrous colors.
"Mhmm," Jayce replied. "He wanted to give it to you directly in the morning, but Saint pissed him off, and then he napped for a good five hours."
"That is not what you call a nap," I noted.
I could see his slight smirk in the rear-view mirror as he looked over his shoulder to meet my gaze. "Apparently cuddling cures insomnia."
"You don't say?" I acted shocked on purpose. The two of us knew exactly what I did but didn’t put it out into the world.
"It's a pretty big fashion show. It's invitation-only and even celebrities have trouble getting invited. The prince and princess that rule Dubai attend every year."
"Wow," I replied and looked over to the bouquet of flowers that were from Dimitris. "Good place to make connections."
"Agreed."
The thought reminded me of Whitney, the assistant.
"Actually, now that I think about it, I think William got invited to it."
"Huh? When?"
"An assistant named Whitney came over to take my measurements. It was the day that Saint was hiding under the desk."
"Ah," he replied. "The day he went wild and you muted Dimitris. Can't forget that grand entertainment."
"Ha-ha, funny," I sarcastically stated. "I thought he was going to kill me."
"I think he's too far gone down the rabbit hole to do that," Jayce admitted. "Dimitris has an unmeasurable tolerance with you."
"Which means I have the potential to survive any catastrophes I ignite just to piss him off."
"No." Jayce laughed. "But you may certainly try your luck."
We laughed and relaxed as the traffic moved slowly along. I ended up working through some applications of the elite members of the new office building and making a few calls before I rested my eyes a bit.
Surely an hour had passed, and I was drifting off when I felt a bubbling nervousness that crept along my body. I opened my eyes, sitting up far enough for my seat belt to tug me back.
Jayce noticed my jerky movement, while I tried to blink out of sleep.
"What's wrong?" he asked while assessing me.
I needed a minute to answer because I was trying to pinpoint who was so nervous.
"Neo?" The name came out before I could mentally register it. "Neo is nervous as fuck," I announced. "Like suffocating nervous."
That had Jayce ringing up Viktor in a second. He picked up almost immediately.
"Hey, we're in a situation. I can't talk."
"Where?"
"I'll send the coordinates," he said in a quick ramble.
"Let me see the identification of the man in the back," a foreign yet harsh voice declared.
"Why would my passenger have to give you identification? This isn't a traffic stop."
"Keep the questions coming and I'll have you arrested for resisting."
My heartbeat spiked, making my finger tingle with anger.
"Jayce," I hissed.
"Already on it. I know where they are. We're a minute