Page 134 of End It All

"It's packed tonight."

Tex nodded. "Yeah. Here. This is on the house. Blake said you like your drink a little less sweet."

I took it, downing half the contents before I came up for air. "This is good."

"Thanks."

A customer called out for Tex, and just like that, he was gone. I finished off my drink and left the glass behind before making my way to the top floor. The back steps that led to Benito’s office were guarded.

"I'm here to see Benito."

"Is he expecting you?" one of the men asked.

"He's good," Gin interrupted. He came up behind me, clapping a hand on my shoulder.

Guess it paid to be a brother-in-law. We headed toward the office at the same time Tony was stepping out.

"Figured you'd be here any day," Tony said.

I shrugged. "What can I say? I've only lived one kind of way."

We shook hands before I followed Gin into Benito's office. The moment the door closed, it was like we weren't in the club anymore. Benito sat at his desk. The club below was as lively as it always was. The office, however, was secluded from the outside world. The soft jazz playing in the background drowned out any of the thumping music from below.

"Good, you're here." Benito pointed to the seat across from his desk and I plopped down.

"You got work for me?"

He nodded. "I have a few things for you to handle, but most importantly, Harlow is wanting a more important position, and if I don't comply—" Benito waved his hand in the air. "He will become a bigger pain in my ass." He locked eyes with me, the weight of his gaze hitting me full force. "I want you to be at his side. Like Tony is at mine."

"His yes man?"

"We both know you aren't a fucking yes man. But out of all my guys, I know you will do what it takes to protect my husband. Even from himself."

He wasn't wrong. "Okay."

"Your pay will be based on the jobs you do for me, but Harlow's already argued you should be paid the same amount as Tony."

Did I even want to know the number? I wanted to argue. I could work my way up from the bottom, I had before, but the truth was that I didn't want to. I'd bled and suffered enough. I was going to take this opportunity for what it was.

"Consider it done."

"Good." He leaned back. "Is there something else?" Benito asked.

I got up out of the seat, knowing when I wasn't needed anymore. "Where is my husband, by the way?"

Gin was the one to answer me. "He's with Enzo."

"Doing what?"

"Bonding time."

Of course. "They nearly done?"

"What is this, twenty questions?" Gin shot back.

Benito groaned. "Yeah, knowing Enzo, he's going to time it to Tex getting off work if he can. Tex is leaving early tonight I believe. I will send you the location."

"Thanks—boss."