Page 31 of Isaac

"I don’t work VIP often but I’ve heard horror stories from Seven."

We share a laugh, then I add, "Given you're not working the VIP section, why does it matter? Who are these people anyway?"

She responds with an eyeroll that speaks volumes. "Just some people Isaac does business with. Last time they were here, they were so dumb, they couldn't even remember what drinks they'd ordered. I had to mix everything twice. There was one particularly handsy asshole too who came downstairs to yell at me." She scrunches her face into a disgusted grimace. "If it wasn't for Isaac, I swear I'd put laxatives in their cocktails."

I chuckle, but my thoughts race faster. An image of Solovey materializes in my mind and I remind myself what my task is. "I’m sorry they’re getting on your nerves. Anything I can do to help?"

Jessica’s reply is immediate and silky-coated like dark chocolate laced with caramel; her voice near enough to breathe warmth onto my neck when she leans over the counter tobring her face closer to mine. There’s something flirtatiously dangerous about this proximity as if walking along a precipice without protection against gravity.

"Ah, Hawk, you’re a sweetheart." She looks me right in the eyes. Her breasts are pretty much falling out of her tank top and I’m wondering if she is trying to openly seduce me. I’m sensing that her interest in me isn’t purely friendship. She’s been giving all sorts of signals ever since I started at the club. The only difference between her and Janine is that she's not as handsy.

"My suggestion is to just watch out," she purrs with a smile, biting into her lower lip.

"Thanks for the tip," I reply.

The call for Caleb from the other side of the bar interrupts our banter and I’m frankly glad for it. I don’t want anyone to report to Jessica’s older brother that I’m hitting on her. Ever since the incident with Flynn he's been on my ass.

"Gotta run, Hawk. Duty calls," she rattles off, pushing away from the counter with a smile still intact.

"Alright, catch you later."

I’m headed to the back room and my thoughts are a jumbled mess of tasks. Be careful with Jessica. Persuade Isaac to bring me into his inner circle. Keep an eye out for Solovey.

As I enter the corridor, I’m immediately shoved into the wall.

Before I even react, Jeremy’s angry face invades my line of vision. He grabs me by the collar, pulling me close so that our faces are inches apart.

The man has some killer reflexes. He somehow managed to sneak up on me without me noticing it.

"Stay away from my sister," he snarls, his breath hot against my cheek.

I force myself to keep calm, feeling the sharp edge of panic creeping into my chest. I need to defuse this situation before it spirals out of control. "Look, man," I say, attempting to soundas casual as possible. "I’m not trying anything. We just chat sometimes."

His grip on my collar tightens, but I can tell he's listening. "But let me make it very clear," I add, my voice dropping to a whisper. "Jessica and I are co-workers. Nothing's going on between us. You don’t think I’m that dumb, do you?"

For a tense moment, we lock eyes, each trying to read the other. Then Jeremy releases me, stepping back and scoffing. "You better keep your dick in your pants, asshole," he warns, stabbing a finger at my chest. "Because if I find out you touch her, I’ll cut it off myself."

"Understood." But on the inside, I'm cursing myself for letting Jessica become a potential weakness. It's just one more thing to worry about, one more crack in my already fragile facade. With Jeremy not on my side and whispering shit into Isaac’s ear, getting where I need to get could be harder.

As Jeremy stalks away, I take a deep breath, trying to regain my composure.

But as the night wears on, I find myself constantly on edge, hyper-aware of Jeremy's presence and the weight of his scrutiny. Every interaction, every decision, feels like a test, and I can't shake the feeling that one misstep could be my undoing.

But I have no choice but to press on, to keep up the facade of Cody "Hawk" Smith and play this dangerous game to the bitter end. Because if I don't, it won't just be my life at risk, but the lives of countless others caught in the crossfire of a brutal criminal empire.

CHAPTER 11

ISAAC

"You're reading too much into it," I tell Jeremy, my eyes scanning the glittering landscape beneath us. The night air is electric, the Vegas skyline a sea of sparkling jewels that stretch out before our eyes like an ominous promise.

We stand on the roof of Crown Tower, the building that houses both Eclipse and Purgatory and I can feel the weight of the Thoreau family's legacy looming over this city. I can feel it on my shoulders.

"Maybe, but something about that fool doesn't sit right with me," Jeremy replies, his voice tense and doubtful. His jagged scar stretches as his dark eyes—sharp and always searching for the slightest sign of betrayal—narrow in concern when I glance at him briefly.

"I trust your instincts, but you did a background check and everything checked out, right?"

The wind whips around us, making the growing hair at the nape of my neck dance like restless ghosts. I think back to when I first took over the club, how I had to claw and fight for every inch of control. Trust comes hard to me, but Hawk hasn't given me any reason not to believe him. Has he?

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