“He’s a brilliant businessman. The things he does with money are fascinating to watch. He’s building his own infrastructure.”
“He’s building an empire. He wants to control all the money and commerce that happens here. He’s going to be untouchable.” Except from me. I was determined to touch and to get him to touch in return. I needed his hand on me in order to have the upper hand in all our dealings with each other.
Reeve rolled her eyes. “Look around, Key. He already is untouchable. Nothing that happens here doesn’t have his fingerprints on it somewhere. He’s been infecting the Point for years and now it’s spread so far and wide there’s no antidote.”
“I know. That’s exactly why I wanted to tell him to shove it, but it’s too good of an opportunity to pass up. It’s legitimate money without having to shake my ass and show my tits.” I snorted. “Well, there will be some of that since he wants me to get people in the door.”
“Like I said, he’s a smart businessman. People will show up because you’re there. Your sex appeal is enough to get the curious in the door, and once they’re in, Nassir will rob them blind.”
I nodded in agreement. “I buy in and I have to stay. I can’t throw money at him and run. He won’t let me.”
“Of course not. He wants you here. He wants you, period.”
I gritted my teeth and my hands curled into fists where they were resting on my thighs. “He told me he wouldn’t touch me. He said it’ll be business only and he’ll keep his hands off. How in the hell am I supposed to work with him and be around him when I came back because I couldn’t stay away from him? He makes everything so fucking hard.”
She bit down on her lower lip and twirled a piece of dark hair around a finger.
“So what are you going to do about it?”
Wasn’t that the million-dollar question? I threw my hands up in the air and let out another broken laugh. “I don’t know, and because I can’t stop myself from pushing back when he prods at me, I asked him to let me stay with him until I figure out where I want to live now that I’m back.”
Her eyes widened and she opened her mouth then shut it, because really there were no words to describe how truly stupid that idea was. “Wow.”
“I know. I’m an idiot.”
I saw her blue eyes get darker and could almost see something working in her head. Reeve hadn’t lasted on the streets as long as she had by being stupid. She was a crafty young woman and had a hot cop and a baby on the way as proof. She tapped her fingers on the soft swell resting in front of her and considered me thoughtfully.
“If you want an even playing field with him, you’re going to have to bring him to his knees.”
“Can you picture Nassir on his knees for anyone?” The idea was laughable, but she nodded.
“For the right person, even the most formidable man can bend. I’ve seen it happen with my own two eyes more than once.”
I swore and looked down at the shiny toes of my stilettos. “What do I do if he does bend, Reeve? I end up fucked? Literally and figuratively? What happens if who I am disappears for real this time because Nassir is enough to suck even all of this into that vortex of menace and danger that swirls around him.” I gestured to my body and my painted face. Not easily missed but practically invisible compared to the natural charisma and allure of my devil.
“I guess that depends on what you do now that you’re back, Key. You wanted more before you left, you were working because you wanted to do something good. If you manage to do that, then you’ll never be overshadowed by any of the darkness that lives here, including Nassir.”
I lifted my gaze back up at her and glared. “You are such a bitch.” It would take a pregnant former criminal and current strip-club manager to remind me that my ultimate goal had been to be my own woman, a woman of worth, a woman that would never let her light and brightness be eclipsed or undone by the man that moved between her and her world.
She smiled at me and it lit her up from the inside out. She was a pretty woman normally, but now she was remarkable. She knew exactly what winning in this place looked like. “I missed you too.”
I huffed out a sigh and fished my phone out of my bag as it pinged with a text message. I couldn’t stop the shiver and warm glide across my skin when I saw Nassir’s name in the box. I popped the message open.
Chuck is coming to get you and bring you to my house.
It was so like him. He didn’t ask if I had other plans, if I was busy, if I needed anything. He just issued commands and orders, expecting his edicts to be blindly followed. I wanted to defy him and I would have, but unfortunately all I had with me were the essentials in the bag at my feet and no other prospects for shelter for the night.
Fine. I’m at the Empire.
Not even two seconds passed before my phone dinged again.
I know where you are. I always have.
That shiver turned into a mini earthquake that raced across my soul. I wanted to feel invaded, violated, but I also didn’t. Even when they scared me, having those bronze eyes on me always made me feel safe and protected. I knew the Point was my playground because Nassir made it possible for me to play unfettered and unafraid. He was most definitely my devil, but he was also my guardian angel.
I put the phone away and told Reeve that Chuck was on his way. She had me help her back to her feet and we went back into the club. The dancer that was on the stage was doing her routine to something bluesy and slow, which was a nice change of pace from the typical electronic beats that filled the space. She was also completely naked and contorted in a way that made me a little bit envious. There was a field of green bills on the stage, an obvious reward for her impressive performance.