Page 7 of Never Say Never

I was suffocating and there was nothing I could do about it, not unless I was willing to risk my family and everything we'd worked our asses off to secure. Benito would understand but it would only put more work on his shoulders. Gin would be ecstatic, and Enzo he'd be happy in his own way.

Missing my brothers was normal but actively investigating them with the team only made me long to be back on the streets of New York, not as Gallo, but a Vitale.

I eyed the bar, contemplating another drink when a familiar face walked through the double doors. The thumping music and multitude of bodies couldn’t have grabbed an ounce of my attention as York Washington waltzed in. I thought last time was a fluke. There were too many nights I stayed around until last call waiting to see if he showed up again.

The man was inconsistent but if there was one thing I knew about my boss, he wasn't the go out and party type. I moved back, submerging myself more into the shadows and blending in with my surroundings. Every step York took toward the bar piqued my interest even more. I glanced around, looking for the rat to come up to him. Maybe he was at the gay bar to meet the inside man. There wasn't anyone I could point out, but then again, I hadn't been a part of the family in years. I couldn't possibly know every face in the operation, but I'd take note of anyone who approached him, even the bartenders.

York's presence wasn't missed as he moved across the room. People made way for him without him having to say anything. He wore a fitted black shirt and dark blue jeans, a stark contrast to the suit he normally wore every day in the office. I'd have to be blind and without a cock not to notice how good he looked.

Fuck, he looks amazing. Why in the hell does he have to be my boss? And the enemy?

I groaned, bringing the glass to my lips only to be reminded I ran out of whiskey. I sighed, forced to stay hidden until I observed the situation. Tonight might be the night I finally learn who the mole is. York took a stool and flagged down a bartender. A man practically skipped over to his side, all smiles and flirtatious gestures.

"He won't fall for that shit." I rolled my eyes as the bartender laid it on thick. I could tell halfway across the room that York wasn't interested.

Shit, I wasn't interested and that was saying something. York had his drink and he turned around after letting out a huge breath, his shoulders lifting and falling with the effort. He turned on the stool, his gaze sweeping over the crowd the way I did whenever I first arrived. A look around to map out the exits, another check for any possible threats, and lastly it was time to see what was on the menu for the night.

"No fucking way." The first time I’d seen him at The Apple, I thought it was a spur of the moment thing. York out on the town, sees a gay bar, and says yay party. No way that happened twice. Besides, the way he observed the men around him was anything but casual.

Is my boss gay?

York never let too much personal information slip. A man with brown hair wearing a polo shirt and fitted jeans made his way to my boss. A smile that screamed sleazy was plastered on his face as he approached. I didn't have to read lips to know he was hitting on York. The way he leaned in close and attempted to drag York into a full conversation was all I needed to see. There was also no indication he was the mole. No one in my family would have someone like that around. He screamed he worked a soul sucking job and went home to eat TV dinners.

Another five minutes went by and the antsy feeling under my skin only seemed to worsen. York smiled at something the guy said and it was the last fucking straw. He only needed to spare a single minute to tell the guy to fuck off, but instead he was actually sitting there sipping his drink and talking.

I couldn't get him to flirt back with me but some random person at the club could? I knew logically that wasn't a sound argument, but it didn't erase the anger simmering through my veins. York Washington was my boss, but he was also my next and ultimate conquest. After I had him then he'd be free to flirt with who ever the fuck he wanted.

"You could have called me. Don't you think it's selfish to leave me at home alone, honey?" I placed a hand on York's shoulder, staking my claim.

York saw me approach. The only indication he did was the slight widening of his eyes for a brief second. I promised myself if I caught him at the club ever again, I'd shoot my shot, or at least I wasn't going to let anyone else do it.

"Oh, you were talking about making friends." I leaned close to him letting my body language speak for itself. "Who's your friend?" The rich cologne that tickled my nose was like a drug. I wanted to bury my nose in the crook of York’s neck and inhale. He looked and smelled amazing.

"Not a friend. We only just met," York said. He glanced up at me, the corners of his lips tilted up in a half smile. "Is there any reason you're here?"

I relaxed a bit. I’d assumed he would have been standoffish. He wasn’t a very open person. I was under the impression that seeing him outside of the office was taboo, let alone talking to him.

Quickly recovering from my moment of shock, I said the first thing that came to mind. “You’re gay.”

It wasn’t a question and York didn’t treat it like one. “You’re bisexual. Or is it called pansexual nowadays?”

“Yeah.”

“Um, exsc—” The insignificant man near us was ruining my chances of getting to know my boss more. He needed to go.

I draped my arm over York making a show of how close we were. Or how close I planned on being. "I’m here to meet you. Don't you remember we had a date planned?"

The other guy looked between us, his shoulders already fallen as he caught onto the hint.

"If I'd known you would seek out someone else because I was late, I would have been here the moment they opened," I teased my boss.

York sipped his drink, not denying my words but not agreeing to them either. I looked at the man still standing there. What the fuck did he want? The silence was only accompanied by the sounds in the bar.

"Uh, it was nice to meet you, York. I hope we can meet up another time."

Not going to happen.

York nodded. "Have a good night, Max."