Page 21 of His Lair
“Who’s the girl you’re seeing?” he asks as soon as the car takes off.
“What girl?” I feign ignorance. I’m not putting Lailani on anyone’s radar.
“So, your dick’s broken, then?” E says.
“Why the fuck are you thinking about my dick?” I counter.
“Because you’re usually the one who host parties full of readily-available pussy. What’s changed? If it’s not a woman and your dick ain’t broken, what is it?”
“Maybe I’ve just grown up,” I tell him.
“Sure.” He nods. “I don’t see it, though.”
“I’m curious, E, how did Evie go from getting a flight home to running through the hospital tonight?” I quirk a brow at him. If he wants to talk about women, let’s talk about the one he’s infatuated with.
“She had a change of heart.” He smirks.
“By choice?” Don’t get me wrong. I like Emmanuel. But like I said, the guy is fucking unhinged. And Evie is a dead ringer for the girl he was obsessed with when we were kids. The same girl who went missing not long after that. She’s still missing from what I hear.
“I’m going to pretend you didn’t ask that,” he grunts. “Whoever this woman is—the one you’renotseeing—I sure as fuck hope you’re not this grouchy with her.”
My mind goes to Lailani. Her big, wide, innocent eyes. Her sweet smile. “If I were seeing someone… let’s say… a young someone, a very innocent and sweet someone, what are the chances she’d survive in our world?” I already know the answer.
Little to none.
“How young we talking?” E side-eyes me.
“Twenty,” I admit.
“Legal then, thank fuck. And how innocent?” He seems relieved. I’m insulted. He knows as well as anyone else that young girls aren’t my thing. Usually. Lailani seems to be the exception. Even so, underage is not a line I’d ever cross.
“She’s sweet, a college kid. I don’t have any business dragging her down,” I tell him while wondering how I went from denying she exists to all but confirming it. Truth is, I haven’t been able to get her out of my head.
I purposely haven’t gone to see her. I’ve messaged her a few times, and she’ll message back. I’ve kept my distance, though, because I feel like it’s the best thing at the moment. And now, with Charlotte getting shot, I don’t know what the hell I’m thinking bringing someone like her into this life.
“You sure she’s sweet and innocent? I mean, if she’s hanging around the likes of you, I highly doubt she’s as innocent as you think,” E says with a stupid grin on his face.
“She is,” I tell him.
“Then you have to decide if she’s the one or not. If she is, keep her. If you’re just in it to get your dick wet a few times, cut her loose.” He shrugs.
Is Lailani the one?I don’t have time to contemplate that question. I’ve got a job to do.
The car pulls into the docks. Emmanuel’s men get out first and then one of them opens the back door of the car.
“You do know it’s still fucked you’re here to collect the shipment you sent us,” I remind him.
“It’s in my best interest that nothing goes wrong with my product,” he says.
“Our product,” I correct him. Louie made a deal with our friend here to increase the supply. We have too many fuckers trying to take over our territory. More product ensures our customers don’t need to look elsewhere.
“Right.” Emmanuel juts his chin in front of us, towards where two guys are guarding our shipping container.
“Let’s do this.” I wave a hand, and five of our men step forward. “As soon as we’ve checked it, start loading the truck,” I instruct them.
The guards open the doors to the container, and we’re met by a row of raised barrels. More of E’s guys.
I tilt my head to the side as I eye them one by one. “Hell of a welcoming party.”
