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“I’ve always been a hardass.”
“Ain’t that the truth,” Jack jeers. “So where should I bring the money? Should we arrange another meet like this?”
“You don’t have the cash on you?”
“I don’t roll like you, man. I need a minute to get that kind of money together.”
“You don’t have a minute. Come to the club tomorrow at noon with the cash and I’ll get started. Arrive even one minute after twelve and the deal is off.”
“Damn, Hunt, okay. Why are you so uptight?”
“Get out of my car, Jack.”
After Jack leaves, Brian finally tears himself away from whatever he was doing on his cell phone. “Where to next, boss?”
“Beverly Hills.”
I want to buy something obnoxiously expensive for Megan. I know it’s not going to get her to move back to where she belongs, but it’s a show of good faith. A gesture from me, at least trying to say I’m sorry.
“Sure.”
I give Vaughn a call back since he’s called me three times in the last hour. It could be important, although I doubt it.
“It’s about time,” he yells.
“Excuse me?”
“When I call you, you should pick up.”
“Is Megan okay?” My chest tightens.
“This isn’t about Megan. As far as I know, she’s perfectly fine.”
“Then what’s so urgent? I’m working.”
“Christian and I have made an executive decision.”
“Oh yeah? And what’s that?”
“We’re letting Parker go.”
“The fuck you are.”
“He’s not the reason that your life has gone to shit, and Megan’s left the apartment. You fucked that up all on your own.”
“And what the hell would either of you know about what’s going on between me and my fiancee?”
“You’ve been sulking for a week. We both know she’s back in her old apartment because you accused her of carrying Parker’s baby.”
“I’m not having this conversation with you. Keep Parker exactly where he is. His accommodations are better than a fucking Four Seasons penthouse.”
“Hunter…it’s been too long.”
“I put a bed down there, and he’s eating three square meals a day. What else do you want? You want me to braid his hair, too?”
“Megan has been snooping around and asking questions. Do you want her to find out that you still have Parker in the basement of the club? Do you think she’ll ever forgive you and move back into your place once she finds out that you’re holding her friend hostage?”
“He is notherfriend! He was my employee who sold me out for a hospital bill.”