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Mary-Sue nodded. “Yeah, it is. Because of Jett. And how many times have you told him he’s doing a great job?”

Aaron scoffed, shaking his head. “He knows I think he’s great.”

“Jett loves this club. He loves working here, but that’s only half of it. He wants to impress you, make you proud—”

“I am.”

“I’m pretty sure he desires your praise so much he’s actually fallen in love with you and doesn’t even realize it.”

“Don’t be ridiculous.”

“He’s made flyers. He’s made cocktails, he’s hired extra staff, has traveled far and wide to get props to make this night a success, and most of it is coming out of his pocket.”

“I said I’d give him some extra funds.”

“He doesn’t want to bother you by asking for more.”

“Stubborn.”

“And not everything can have money thrown at it to make it better. All he actually wants is for you to tell him you’re impressed, that he’s done good—”

“All this proves it,” Aaron said, wagging his finger at the awards.

“He wants you to tell him, not have it engraved in some plaque on a disco ball.”

Aaron didn’t praise his men. They did their job, and they got a cut of the profits. That was all the “well done” they needed. He hadn’t even imagined Jett was waiting for some kind of feedback, some validation, but as he stood there, with his mouth hanging open, and Mary-Sue’s finger wagging at him, he realized Jett was due some.

When he looked at the bookcase of awards, he felt pride drumming in his chest, but he hadn’t thought to tell Jett he felt proud, or impressed, or grateful. He’d thought the awards were validation in themselves.

The Junction didn’t make him a lot of money compared to his darker ventures, but it did make money. It made a lot of money for the honest, hard-working club it was, not millions, but enough that if Aaron ever wanted to cut ties with his criminal empire, he’d be comfortable.

Jett and The Junction were his escape plan if all went to hell.

“I’ve never told him I appreciate him,” Aaron said. “That I appreciate all this.”

“You’re lucky he still works here.”

“What? Is he unhappy?”

“No, he loves it. I just meant he’s had offers.”

“Offers? What offers?”

“Other clubs trying to tempt him away with more money.”

“No one’s taking him from me,” Aaron said darkly.

Mary-Sue frowned at him, looking him up and down.

“I only meant, whatever they offer, I can offer him more.”

“Right,” Mary-Sue said, but she still seemed unsettled by his dark tone.

Aaron needed to change the subject, and fast. “Has the Heaven and Hell night sold out?”

“Yeah, and there’s some celebrities coming.”

“Celebrities?”