Page 86 of Brutal Collateral

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

Griffin

One week with Ava themurderer and I’m still breathing.

Although, she keeps that stupid clown between us in bed like it’s some kind of wall. Likethatwon’t get people talking. She falls asleep with a leg thrown over the thing while reading a book. Every night, I fall asleep and wonder if I’ll wake up again having that little murderer snoring two feet from my jugular.

I’m not dead yet, so I must be doing something right.

Behind closed doors, no one knows we’re not fucking. I thought my suggestion of screwing around made perfect sense. But she turned me down. Now, I’ll make her beg for it.

“We’re here, boss,” Gus tells me, pulling up to the office Kai Powers rented months ago when he needed a team to work on the UN proposal.

Ares offered space in one of his high-rise office towers, but I declined. I’m in bed with the guy enough. It’s getting crowded with him, the clown, and the wife he expects me to keep until my last breath.

“Park the car,” I tell Gus and signal for Zeke and Ace to get out. Ace walks ahead of me, and Zeke behind me.

In the lobby, I ask to see the main guard to introduce myself. He gives me a keycard because the elevators are protected by a turnstile. I hand it back to him.

“I don’t use these.” Glancing at a gate on the side for handicapped people, I add, “When you see me, you go to that gate and let me in. Do you understand?”

The guard’s eyes widen, but then he looks at Zeke and Ace. “Yes, sir. And when I’m not here, I’ll make sure you’re given access. Come with me.”

He leaves the counter and lets me and my guards through. “You have a private elevator, too, sir.”

Now, that’s cool.

The man steps inside and programs it. “Have a good day. I’ll wait here for you to leave.”

Offering a brief, approving tilt of my head, I don’t say thank you. A mob boss doesn’t do that. But I can see this turning into some logistical nightmare, so I tell Zeke to get with that guy and make sure I’ll always have access.

When we reach the floor to the office, Ace posts in the private vestibule and Zeke returns to the lobby.

Inside, Kai Powers waits for me. “You made it!”

“Barely. A guy downstairs tried to give me a keycard that probably won’t work and I’ll look like an asshole.”

Kai loses a few shades from his cheeks. “I’ll speak—”

“I handled it,” I huff out “It’s fine. We’re fine.”

“Let me show you your executive suite.” We strut past offices lining one wall until we reach the end of the row. “This is yours, boss.” Kai opens the door to an opulent, corner office with wraparound views of the East River, the Verrazzano Bridge, and Lower Hudson Bay. “On a clear day, you can see Lady Liberty.”

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