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“I want her back, Asher,” he whispers.
I give him a knowing smile, my brow lifting. “You don’t need her, Josh. There are so many oth?—”
“You’re forbidden to be around her for the rest of my contract.”
“No issue at all,” I reply with a confident nod. “However, there may be times when we are at the same location. For example, London Fashion Week. I’d want to join you at that event. It’s going to be a huge night for you. Also, I work with Weston and Easton, so we may cross paths.”
“You are absolutely joining me for London Fashion Week. I want you to be my shadow. Make my company the best there is. When I’m better than her, she’ll want me back. I always get what I want, Asher,” he tells me.
“Me too,” I say. “Are you giving me another chance?”
He grins wide, extending his hand. “Yes.”
I grab it firmly, shaking it, knowing I can’t trust him.
“Don’t let me down, or I’ll fucking kill you.”
I grip his hand harder, ready to break every bone. “Threaten me again and see what happens to you and your entire family,” I warn him.
When we pull away, I see real fear in his eyes, but it doesn’t make him any less dangerous.
Josh’s methods and the way he deals with those who cross him aren’t exactly legal. He needs to be put behind bars because he is a danger to anyone close to him.
“I look forward to earning your trust again, Josh,” I say, keeping my tone steady. “Know, in any situation, I will always do therightthing.”
It’s a promise. One that I will keep.
“Thanks,” he offers as he walks away, rubbing his palm with his opposite hand.
My grip might have been too firm earlier, but oh well. The door closes behind him, and I let out a breath, realizing that was so much easier than I’d thought it would be.
Fuck. Josh. Lustre.
I roll my shoulders back, relieved that it’s over, but also hoping I don’t lose myself in the process. I’m worried I might become as ruthless as the men I despise—men like my father. These methods aren’t traditional by any means, and hacking is inherently dangerous, but no one has the guts or knowledge to put a stop to Lustre. Only me.
Before I get too caught up in work, I grab my phone and call my brother. “Please come see me.”
A few minutes later, Nick sits across from me at my desk, his eyes filled with curiosity. “What have you done?”
“Starting tomorrow, I’ll be working at Lustre Fashion, exclusively for Josh, for the next month.”
“He has two months left on his contract,” Nick points out.
“It won’t last that long. Because of this change of events, this will be over much sooner than I anticipated. One month. Once I have access to his database, he’scooked,” I say, picturing it in my mind.
“Asher”—Nick shakes his head—“you said you were stopping with the boogeyman stuff.”
“Yeah, well, I changed my mind,” I reply with a shrug. “I only help ethical businesses, Nick. I destroy the others because they’re poison. Everyone knows that. Josh invited the vampire into his home, and now he’ll have to deal with the consequences of being so fucking stupid. He asked for my help because he sees me as a threat.” An evil grin spreads across my lips. “He should.”
“Why are you so determined?”
“For Eden,” I say, knowing Lustre was on her takedown list. My sister may have been sunshine, but she was also a wraith, the realBatman of business. This was her Gotham City. “I’ve almost finished everything on her dream list, Nick.”
He studies me. “And then what will you do? Leave the city?”
I lean back and smile. “I’m going to ask Billie to marry me.”
“Asher, it’s still really new,” he says.