Page 71 of Forbidden Forget-Me-Not

“You know nothing.” My tone held a hard edge.

He swallowed and nodded.

“I’m out.”

“Ah, come on, man,” Ivan said. “Don’t leave. We don’t get to do this often.”

I plucked my suit jacket off the back of the chair and shrugged it on. “Long day tomorrow.” I walked away, lifting my hand in the air. “Night.”

I stepped outside, but Ivan followed and grabbed my arm.

“Hey.”

I turned slowly. “What’s up?”

He dropped his hand. “You good?”

“Yeah. Why wouldn’t I be?”

Ivan shuffled nervously, rubbing the back of his neck. He only did that when he didn’t want to say what was on his mind.

“Just spit it out.”

“Shit. Don’t shoot the messenger, man,” he muttered. “Some of the guys have come to me worried about…”

My eyebrow cocked. “About?”

“The amount of time you and Kaylani spend together. They’ve seen the way she looks at you.”

I stiffened, my muscles flexing.

“Look, I’m just saying, do what you want, but be careful. Dimitri is a scary fucking dude. If he catches wind⁠—”

“There is nothing to catch wind about,” I cut in, stepping into Ivan’s personal space.

He lifted his chin, but there was no defiance in his stare, just concern.

“Listen to me very carefully. If you hear anyone saying that again, give them a choice. They either shut up or they get shut up, permanently. You understand?”

“Yeah, of course. I’ve got you.”

I stepped away and gripped his shoulder. “Thanks.”

He walked back inside, and the door shut behind him with a dull thud.

“Fuck,” I grumbled.

The phone in my pocket buzzed as I crossed the lot to my SUV. I pulled it out, hoping it was Kaylani.

Nathaniel’s name glowed on the screen.

Brushing aside the disappointment, I unlocked the armored truck and climbed inside before opening the message.

N: Hey, I just saw the video. What the fuck is going on?

My jaw tightened, and I typed back quickly.

G: She just needed to blow off some steam. All is fine. I called Titus, and he took her to his house.