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Eva might be disappointed, but she knew the score. Business before pleasure.
I did a loop around the deck, saying hello, nodding and waving at the well-dressed, elite individuals I’d invited tonight. I was actually looking for the dealer I usually worked with to personally thank him and his boss.
The yacht’s engines rumbled to life causing a slight vibration beneath my feet, and I stopped short.
What the hell?Jeff was supposed to text me before we left.
Shit.Where the hell was Judd? Had he made it on board?
I reached into my pocket and discovered my phone wasn’t there. It must have slipped out in the car. Having Tris in tight confines, close enough to touch, had thrown me off my game. I’d been in such a hurry to put some distance between us, I hadn’t noticed it was gone.
I hated that after only seeing her twice, Tris was now a constant presence in my mind.
I looked around and it appeared everyone was having a good time, enjoying the expensive champagne and drugs that had been supplied before I arrived.
“Killian,” a mix of voices called out to me when I reached the stern.
Showtime.
“Gentlemen. So happy you could be here tonight. I saw your samples as I made my way to you. When do we get the rest of it? What you brought won’t last the night with the number of people here.”
One of the guys laughed. A loud, booming sound that grated on my nerves. He seemed rougher around the edges than the individuals I typically dealt with.
I wasn’t familiar with him. And last minute additions made me suspicious. “New guy?” My voice hardened. “You should’ve warned me someone I didn’t know was coming. How can I trust he’ll keep his mouth shut about what goes on here?”
New faces meant additional risk. I couldn’t afford any loose ends.
“Hey, hey. He’s all right. We wouldn’t have brought him otherwise.” Another guy, Ned, Ted, I forget his name … slicked a hand back over his longish dark hair as he tossed me a tight smile. His shifty eyes looked between me and my regular dealer, Griff.
I narrowed my gaze as my gut tightened. “It’s only all right if I say it is.”
That earned me a glare from the same asshole who tried to placate me. When he tried to move into my space to crowd me, I stood firm. I wasn’t going to let this asshole intimidate me. We were helping each other out. For that I deserved respect. Respect that this guy was sorely lacking.
It was my money and mode of transportation helping them move the product. “Our agreement for me offering up my yacht was the understanding I’d meet your boss tonight.”
“He said he’dtryto make it.” Griff gave a casual shrug. I wanted to punch the nonchalance right out of him.
I consciously relaxed my hands, subtly releasing my fingers one by one. I didn’t need them to see they riled me up. I knew how to play this game. “If he wants my money to bankroll the favors at this party or any in the future along with my help smuggling this in, then I suggest he shows up.”
Griff’s gaze flicked to the one who had chuckled earlier.
“Is there a problem?” I asked, trying to get a read on whatever subtext was happening.
Either I was paranoid or something was off.
“Don’t be a fucker or we’ll leave.” The new guy warned me.
I decided to nickname him Dickhead.
I rolled my shoulders back and gave him my ‘I don’t give a fuck’ smile. “Will you?” Why I was baiting them was beyond me, but I couldn’t seem to stop myself. “I’m doing you a favor by using my boat. And don’t forget if this works out for all of us, we could have a lovely partnership. But I need to know who I’m doing business with. Call him. Tell him to find a way here, or the deal’s off.”
It’s not like I needed this deal. I was here because I was bored and looking for ways to shake things up. This was a dangerous game, but I’d also come too far to be pushed around or taken advantage of.
His nostrils flared. Anger quickly flashed in his eyes until another guy laid a hand on his arm. “We’ll see what we can do,” Dickhead retorted.
These assholes. They thought they could play me.
Griff shook his head. “You’ll meet him.” He passed off a piece of paper with coordinates to me. “Have your captain get us here, and then we’ll make the trade.”