Page 129

“That’s your only option,” I cut in smoothly. “Take the money and go back to Las Vegas. It’s not going to happen for you here. And if you make me deal with you another way, it’s not going to be over drinks and pasta, Vincent. And I promise you—” I lean in, lowering my voice just for him, “I won’t miss.”
Santos chuckles under his breath, clearly entertained. He didn’t really need to be at this meeting, but I felt like putting on a show. Everyone needs to know just how invested I am in keeping the peace.
Vincent’s jaw flexes. His hand clenches the envelope, his pride struggling with his fear. Making his name in Los Angeles was important to him, but there are rules to this shit—with little room for error. Hell, I’m actually doing him a favor. Rumor had it that both Santos and Ben were thinking about killing him, which would have set off a whole new set of problems for me.
So here we are.
And in the end, with a guy like Vincent?
Fear wins.
He nods stiffly, holding the envelope of cash tightly. “Fine.”
I let a slow smirk spread across my face.
“Good boy.”
Then I stand, Christian and Vaughn rising beside me, and without another word, I walk out of the restaurant—still breathing, still untouchable, and still the motherfucker to who this city answers.
And I intend to keep it that way.
Chapter 43
Well, This Is What I Wanted
HUNTER
“That was fun,” Christian laughs aloud, shaking his head.
“Fuck yeah, it was,” Vaughn adds with a grin.
Bringing these two in full-time to Middleton Enterprises has been the best decision I’ve ever made. Well—if you let them tell it, they made the decision after someone tried to kill my ass. But however it happened, it feels good to have the only men I’d trust with my life watching my back daily.
I was always strong.
But the three of us together? Almost invincible.
Until we step inside the Blue Whiskey.
The moment we cross the threshold, the air between us changes. The easy laughter dies instantly, replaced by a tense, electric silence.
Because standing at the bar is Lena.
And standing real damn close to her is Oliver.
I don’t miss the way she throws her head back, laughing at something he’s just whispered in her ear. A laugh I’ve never seen from her before—light, unguarded, genuine.
And in the span of a breath, a barrage of conflicting feelings floods through me.
On one hand, this is what I wanted.
I purposely hired Oliver because I was hoping Lena would feel a spark with a guy I have no personal ties to, someone closer to her age and with similar interests. Because no matter how much Christian means to me, Lena’s well-being will always come first.
I thought I lost her forever.
Now that she’s back in my life, it’s my duty to keep her safe, to make sure she’s happy.
And yet…