Page 102 of A Captive Situation

“No.” His eyes were so dark, almost black, when he added, “I’m done staying away from my son. I stayed away because of Justin and my sister. Then I stayed to find Justin’s killer. When this contract is gone, there’s nothing keeping me away anymore.”

“What about your sister?”

“Tab and I will have a conversation about that. I’m not going to let that happen, either, but that alone isn’t going to keep me away any longer.” He caught my chin and pulled me to him. His eyes studied my face. I didn’t know what he was searching for, but I held my hand over his.

“We just need to get rid of the contract first.”

“Damn straight,” he said softly.

“How are you going to do that?”

“I’m going to let the world burn.”

Chapter Thirty-Six

Jake

“Why the fuck does your family gravitate toward this club?” Ashton griped, sliding in next to where I was sitting in one of the back VIP booths. We were set back on a raised floor with enough space in front of us so we could have our own dance floor if we wanted, or if others wanted. There were other booths lining the wall. They were bigger, more private, and each booth got its own bottle service.

That’s not why I was there at Octavia, a nightclub run by the Mauricio family.

I flashed Ashton a dry grin, picking up my bourbon. “Because it’s not one of yours, and since I don’t own a nightclub, it was either this or a cop bar.” I raised an eyebrow at him, enjoying his automatic sneer. “Next time I’ll pick a cop bar. We could do the one where Trace’s woman has roots. Bear’s not there anymore, but I’m sure you’d be welcome now that you and his woman are friends. Right?”

His eyes promised me death as a server came over, sliding his drink in front of him. “Mr. Walden.” She gave him a coy and seductive smile before slinking away.

I couldn’t help but laugh. “Are you friendly with Cole Mauricio? Why am I not surprised.” He was the nightclub owner.

Ashton picked up the glass, sniffing at it before he put it down without taking a sip. The drink was ignored as he leaned back against the booth. “We’re not friendly, but Trace and I have businesses in the city he runs, and he has this one in our city. We have an agreement.”

“In Chicago.”

“What? Yes.” He turned his gaze back to the nightclub, measuring and analyzing each person.

I watched him do his thing for a moment.

“Are you going to tell me why you wanted this meet? You’re still alive. Lane must not know you took his obsession.” Ashton was done cataloging the people around us.

“You brought up my ex-wife and kids last year.”

He stilled, just slightly. I knew him well enough to read him. He was wary.

I liked that he was wary of me. He should be.

“What about it?”

“How’d you know about Tabitha and my son?”

His eyes widened slightly before a cool mask slid back in place. “Cybersecurity is one of my expertises. A marriage certificate came up when I ran you one time. I found her online and saw the kids.”

That made sense, but I didn’t like it. “Why were you looking me up?”

Ignoring his glass, he plucked mine up and took a swallow of the drink. “It came up the first time I ran you before I began paying you. Why are you bringing it up now?” He frowned at me. “You said you had kids. Plural. As in more than one son.”

“I have a son and he has two half sisters.” I added, “They are not mine.”

Ashton was still considering me. “I was needling you last year. The divorce certificate hadn’t come up on the first search, but her name did. And that she was related to a judge.” He took another drag from my bourbon before putting the glass on the table again, sliding it away. “Ilooked into the possibility if I could use him for anything, but saw he was dead. Is there a reason your son has no idea who you are?”

I gritted my teeth, but that was why I’d called him here.

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