Page 63 of An Eye For Illusion

He nods. “I see.” He steps back, allowing the door to close. I heard him mutter something about a “miraculous recovery” just before the door closed completely.

I turn and make a beeline to my office. I have to call Colin.

Chapter 21

Colin

“Jade…” I answer the video call immediately.

“Do you know who the hell Vincent Maggio is?” Her words tumble over each other in her rush to get them out.

Vinny’s name spilling from her lips stops my feet in their tracks, and my heart races in my chest. “Where did you hear that name?”

“I’m the one asking questions. Do you know who it is?” The desperation in her voice makes my stomach twist.

I sigh through my nose as my shoulders fall. “Yes, and he’s someone you need to stay far away from.”

The bark of laughter that comes from her contains zero humor. It’s born from sheer panic. “Well, that would have been great to know sooner.”

My eyes widen slightly. “What the hell does that mean? What happened?”

She smirks, but again, it holds no humor. Her voice turns sarcastically enthusiastic with a higher pitch. “Elliott wants to bring him into my business. For us to be partners.” She spits the word partner from her mouth like it’s poison despite the sarcasm dripping from her tone through everything else. “Doesn’t that sound just great?”

All faked amusement falls from her face as a scowl takes over, her nostrils flaring as she stares daggers into me across the screen. I can’t tell if she’s mad at me or just pissed in general, but I hate it either way.

What in the actual fuck?

Moore must be getting desperate if he’s straight up going to Jade and her father to work a business deal involving the likes of Vinny Maggio.

“What do I do?” she asks, the anger fading as desperation moves in.

“Stall him until I can get the proof we need. Vinny is bad fucking news, Jade. I’m working the case from the inside, but I don’t have what we need yet.”

“How much longer do you need? Because honestly, I’m losing my mind over here. I have to go wedding dress shopping tomorrow! Tomorrow! And now this shit. I can’t believe he went straight to my father with some half-baked plan to partner with a trucking business!”

I turn towards the street, looking back at my car as I realize this is a conversation better had in private than out here on the street. Moore should be in the appointment that’s on his schedule today for more than an hour, but I sure as hell don’t want to take any chances. He’s been rather unpredictable at times.

I head back to the car and slide into the driver’s seat before I answer her. “Are you by yourself?” I want to make sure no one can overhear us.

“Of course. I’m at my apartment. I told Heather I wasn’t feeling well, and I was going to work from home for the rest of the day. After this morning, all I want to do is break something, put a hole through a wall, or better yet, through Elliott’s face,” she huffs out.

I chuckle at the image of Jade sucker punching Elliott Moore. I would pay to see that. Jade standing over a writhing Moore who’s crunched up on the floor from pain and holding a bloody nose. I have no doubt that’s how it would go down, too, because the guy is a bitch if I’ve ever seen one.

“Don’t laugh. This is serious.”

The reminder instantly sobers my thoughts. “Don’t go anywhere. I’ll see you in ten.”

“What?” she says with surprise, her eyes widening.

“See you soon,” is all I say before I end the video call.

If the asshole doesn’t make any sudden moves, Moore will be preoccupied for more than an hour, and this conversation is better had in person. At least, that’s what I try to convince myself of as I race to her apartment that’s just blocks away.

The door swings open with Jade standing just beyond the threshold in loose sweatpants and a plain t-shirt. My eyes zero in on the hole just below the collar of the shirt, and my pulse skips as I take in the rest of her.

If I thought Jade in a dress suit with a slit running up her thigh and stilettos was my kryptonite, I was dead ass wrong. Jade in old baggy sweats and a t-shirt is what is going to make my heart pound and my dick stand at attention.

“Do you want to come in or are you just going to stand there and stare at me?” she asks when I say nothing.

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