Page 83 of A Dirty Business
I was still eyeing him, still working. “Yeah?”
“I’m aware of who he is, you know. Our families ... there’s a connection there, and I figured out what Viv did. She never told me, but she used me to try and get in with Walden.”
“Right. Okay.” I was still waiting for the other shoe to drop.
“My, uh, brother, you know what he does.”
I stopped taking orders and straightened up.
So did Justin, putting a little bit of distance between us, but not much. He indicated farther back so the customers couldn’t overhear. I went, and he dropped his voice, his head bending toward mine. “I don’t know the reason why a West would be giving you a ride back to the city, or why you lied to Kelly about it, but I can only imagine, and I’m hoping I’m getting all of that wrong. I did talk to my brother more about West and Walden. Look, all cards on the table? I mentioned this job to him, and he said if I happened to overhear anything, let him know. That was it. I’m not here snitching for him. I don’t want you thinking that.”
It was more alarming that he was explaining he wasn’t a snitch to me.
“Look, what I’m trying to say is that I don’t have a good feeling here anymore. Tonight’s my last night. So’s Kelly’s. I had a long talk with her about who the owners were, but I kept it quiet about who your ride was with last Saturday, though I’m not sure why I should keep that quiet. Since you’re the one who lied, and since you’ve always been up and up,I’m assuming you had your reasons. My brother told me that there’s another family trying to move in on New York. That means they’re going against our bosses, both of them. I don’t know the specifics of how involved our owners are with their families, but I know they are involved. That’s enough to worry me. I want you to resign with us. All of us can go somewhere else. Kelly would love that. She’s been upset all week, thinking about leaving you behind. It’s double since she’s moving out and now quitting here. I know someone at Octavia. They can put in a good word for us—”
“Octavia’s owners aren’t active in New York, but don’t think for a second they aren’t connected either.”
He stopped talking, startled by my statement. “You serious?”
I nodded. “I’m guessing your brother didn’t tell you about that place.”
“Shit. No.” He shook his head, raking his hand over his head one more time. “It doesn’t matter. We’re resigning. Come with us.”
God.
I should. I needed to.
Common sense dictated I do exactly as he said, but ... even now I wanted to look up where his private box was. I wanted to check my phone, see if he’d sent me a text. I couldn’t stop replaying being in the car with him.
My throat felt stripped raw as I patted Justin on the arm. “I’m a sucker for what’s familiar. It’s my downfall. I’ve stayed this long; I’m going to stick it out. I like working at Katya, but it means a lot that you want me to go with you.”
Regret tightened his face, his mouth pressing in a firm line. “Are you sure?”
I dipped my head down. “I’ll be okay, Justin.” I indicated Kelly, who was watching us from a level above. “You take care of her. All right?”
He drew in a deep breath, resignation settling over his shoulders. He raised his head up, but he didn’t look at Kelly. He kept watching me. “I can’t change your mind?”
I gave a small shake of my head.
He nodded, giving in. “Okay. Come on. Give me a hug.”
I didn’t object as he drew me in, and he squeezed me tight. “Be safe. I don’t know why you were in the car with him, but please be safe. Be smart.”
I couldn’t promise on the smart part, but I hugged him back. “I’ll watch my back. Don’t worry.”
He stepped back, letting me go. “You’ve become family, so I’ll worry.”
I gave him a crooked grin. “Guessing that means what I think it means.”
He grinned back, a half one. “I love her. A lot.”
“Also guessing that’s what was behind our trip last weekend.”
“My aunt loved her. I wanted her to meet Kelly before I proposed, but I have the ring.”
“Give me a heads-up when you do, okay? I want to make sure I’m by my phone.”
He snorted, starting to back away and go to his section. “Uh. You’re going to be there, and I’m going to be needing your help in planning the whole thing.”
