Page 87 of An Eye For Illusion

“What the fuck, Co…Jax?” Donovan almost fucks us both with that slip.

“Yeah, what the fuck, Co-Jax?” Dani mocks us both now. The slip didn’t get past her. Fuck.

“Why didn’t Vinny say shit to us about Carlo getting arrested?” I don’t know who this Dani chick is, or why Donovan is so easily distracted by her, but he needs to fucking focus.

“Look, guy, I don’t know who the fuck you are, but I’m sure you aren’t some dude named Jax, and you sure as fuck aren’t one of us. I can’t believe Vin fell for your bullshit, considering you’re just another clean-cut white boy. So cut the bullshit, both of you.” She rolls her eyes so hard she had to have peeked at her fucking brain.

Donovan scrubs his hands over his face. “Vinny doesn’t go around divulging information, especially not when one of his guys gets busted with his dope. It puts his other dealers on edge.”

His answer makes so much sense for this scenario and none at all for the real world.

Dani stomps her foot, looking back and forth between Donovan and me. “Are either of you going to tell me what the fuck is going on here?”

“Yeah, what’s going on here?” The door opens more to allow Frankie to walk into the room.

I really fucking hope he wasn’t eavesdropping like I was moments ago.

“Just catching up,” Donovan says, looking at Dani and then back at Frankie.

Surely, Frankie feels the tension in the room. I damn sure feel it. More importantly though, where the fuck is Moore? Why isn’t he with Frankie?

“Well, c’mon. There’s enough for everyone.” He taps his nose when he says enough. I’m not a seasoned criminal, but even I know what that means. There’s enough cocaine for everyone.

“Where’s that guy that follows you around like a lost puppy?” I ask boldly. Elliott does follow him around like he’s Frankie’s bitch.

Frankie draws his eyebrows together, processing what I’ve asked before surprising me by spilling his guts. “Oh, Elliott? He left twenty minutes ago. He’s avoiding Vinny because he didn’t come through on a deal he was supposed to. Vinny had Dino rough him up. A few bruises are going to be a walk in the park if he doesn’t come through by the deadline.”

“When’s the deadline?” He’s offering a lot of information freely, so I want to get as much out of him as I can. I don’t know if he’s drunk or high. Either way, I’m thankful he has loose lips tonight.

“Two weeks. He better make it fucking happen. He’s lucky Vin is even giving him another shot,” he replies.

Yeah, lucky. I’ve got to go tell Jade what’s going on. This is worse than I thought and far more dangerous. She has a right to know the type of people her fiancé is associating with and just how much danger she may be in if she goes through with this sham of a marriage. I won’t let that happen.

“I’m getting back to the party. You guys should do the same,” he says before turning on his heel and exiting the room without waiting for any of us to respond.

Before I can speak, it’s like D reads my mind. “Go, I’ll get a ride home.” I start to ask if he’s sure, but he interrupts me. “Go!” His voice is far more forceful this time. He can handle himself, and all these people as well if need be.

Finally, I give him a nod before exiting the room without looking back. I take long strides down the hallway to the foyer, grabbing the knob of the front door as soon as its within reach.

“Jax!” Vinny’s voice booms over the music.

I turn. “Next week, Vin!” I yell back over the music and step outside, pulling the door closed behind me.

Chapter 29

Jade

I’ve been curled up on my sofa all evening, enjoying true crime documentaries and wine. The perfect Saturday night if I do say so myself. Sudden pounding at my front door makes me jump, which then causes me to spill wine on the throw blanket draped over my lap. Dammit.

The pounding gets louder, and my heart starts to race. I grab my phone in case I need to call 9-1-1.

“Don’t be stupid, Jade. You’re letting what you’ve been watching scare you,” I say out loud to myself as I toss my now wine-stained blanket to the side.

“Coming,” I yell to whoever is on the other side of the door, banging like a neanderthal.

When I reach the door, I look out the peep hole to see who’s there.

“Open the fucking door, Jade.” Elliott’s growl sends chills across my body. I back away from the door slowly, hoping he didn’t hear me call out before or hear my steps now. “Fine, have it your way. I’ll pay Daddy a visit instead.” He sounds menacing, his voice almost unrecognizable.

---