Chapter 30

T

I didn’t like Albany. I didn’t like how she looked at Animal. And I didn’t trust her. She was the kind of woman who scrambled men’s minds. The way she walked was just a calling card to the kind of sway she could have over clear-thinking guys. And she would claim I was jealous, and honestly, I probably was. When Animal’s head had snapped around and followed her at Meme’s, I wished it were me. I could sense bullshit and Albany had it in spades. She used what she had to convince people to do her bidding.

Her family was rich—I knew that. They could be powerful, with billions in the coffers. They could buy any politician they wanted.

So what did she want with Animal? Besides the obvious.

I followed her in a black sports car I borrowed from Wardon, one of my soldiers. He wasn’t Feybi’s or Kaleotos’. A professional driver drove her to a Starbucks. I parked and went inside.

I expected her to flirt her way in and out, and because I didn’t have a dick, she wouldn’t notice me.

But I was wrong. I took a seat in the corner instead of getting in the ordering line. On her way out she spotted me. A knowing smile spread across her face. She sat at my table without being invited.

“You’re Animal’s friend.” Her pink lipstick was perfectly glossed, her hair nearly as shiny. This lady was really good at being a girl.

“And you’re not.” I knew I’d have an edge. No one could accuse me of being friendly, and I wasn’t starting with this bitch.

Her sneer grew wide, revealing her perfect porcelain teeth. “Animosity already? Usually I have to sleep with a lady’s man before I get this kind of vibe.”

I shrugged. If she wanted to truly fight, I would put her to shame. I could take down three men twice her size.

“Your confidence is sexy. Do you know that?” Albany took a sip of her coffee and then hissed. “I always do that, like I don’t expect to be burned.” She patted her mouth with a napkin.

“Seems like a motto you live by.” I gave her a hard stare.

Albany laughed. “You’ve got me down, huh? That’s awesome. Does he know you’re in love with him?”

Biting and quick, she was faster than I gave her credit for.

“He knows.” No use in lying if my feelings were that easy to read.

“That’s a shame. He’s still putting it to other people. How do you live with that?” Albany opened the lid on her coffee cup. “I’m going to let this cool.”

“I just protect him. That’s all I need.” I had no prop for my hands so I folded them on top of the table.

“Commendable. I hope he’s worth this devotion. Because you’re gorgeous. I mean, there’s a certain tomboy capable thing you have about you that’s at odds with that gorgeous figure. You could even model, I bet.”

Albany pulled out her phone and snapped a picture of me before I could stop her. She flipped the phone so I could see the image of me glaring at her.

“Hot, right? A picture that could launch a thousand erections.”

“Delete it.” I tapped my finger on the table.

She wrinkled her nose as if she was being cute.

“My phone, my property.”

I assessed her for a second before I snatched the phone out of her hand. I slid it under the table and put it in my hoodie pocket.

Her chipper demeanor fell away. She ran her tongue over her teeth before clearing her throat. “I need that back.”

“No, you don’t. You need to respect people’s private space. This’ll teach you that lesson.” I put my hands in my pockets, my palm stretched across her screen. Nix could do some work with it.

Albany stood slowly, as if she thought if she gave me enough time I’d change my mind. “I really hoped that we could be friends. Trade makeup tips. Fun stuff.”

I looked up at her, not changing my demeanor at all. “Save your hope for unicorns and rainbows. I’m no one’s friend.”

I stood, my chair making a scraping noise behind me.

A fake smile started to form on her face. She put the lid back on her coffee like there was no rush.

“You know, I have plenty of pictures of you. Some more flattering than others, if you know what I mean.” She ran her red fingernail around the top of her cup.

I looked away from her and tried to get a good canvass on the parking lot. I was betting there was security for her here now along with the drivers.

I wouldn’t show fear. I turned toward her.

“You know what, T? I think I’m going to pay you back by sleeping with Animal. Whatcha think about that?” She gave me a campy shoulder shrug like she was a ’50s pin-up girl.

“Animal can put his dick wherever he wants. He likes to play with fire, and I’m betting your crotch is all lit up with STDs.” I gave her the same cheesy shrug.

Albany turned and walked out like we’d just had a great meeting.

She was crazy. I felt my heart flop into a pile because I knew that even with a warning, Animal might just give her what she wanted.