Shattered Dynasty

“Aldridge,” Jax answers. “How the fuck are you? I haven’t spoken to you in forever.”

“Apparently, you’re too busy to call back your old friends.”

“You’re one to talk. When was the last time your sorry ass picked up the phone to call me? You use me for my resources and then crickets. Some friend you are.” His signature sarcastic chuckle fills the line.

“Fine. You’re right,” I admit, forcing myself to loosen up. “I’m just as bad, but I like to fuck with you.”

“So, what’s going on? As much as I’d like to believe this is a social call, you sound off. Talk to me.”

“Not over the phone.”

“Come on, Trent. You know my shit is locked down.”

“True. If anyone’s is, it’s yours.”

I run a palm down my face, making my way to the car. I feel like I’m leaving behind a crime scene. The weed is lifeless behind me. Strong enough to break through concrete but not strong enough to survive the heel of my Kitons.

“But hell.” I sigh. “You never know.”

With some of the shady shit I get myself involved in these days, I can never be too careful.

“Fine. Where should we meet? The usual?”

“That works for me. Time?”

“Same old time. Once I finish work.”

“Should we hit up Cyrus’s after?” I chuckle, sliding into my Aston Martin DBX.

There’s no way Jaxson Price would show up to a card game these days. The man is too busy hacking foreign governments.

“Shut the fuck up,” he barks out, not missing a beat, making me laugh even harder. “See you at six.”

When I hang up, I drive to the office, park in my spot in the structure, and head out onto the sidewalk instead of into the building.

I’m later than normal, but it’s fine.

Technically, I should probably call Ivy and see if she wants to talk.

I’m sure this shit is hurting her.

If my brain is this fucked up, I can’t imagine hers is okay. This shit has got to remind her of a past she wants to forget.

Be the big brother you’re supposed to be and check on her.

I should call her. But no matter how much I know I should, I can’t bring myself to. Guess being a bastard runs in the family.

Instead, I find myself walking.

Anything to distract me from my thoughts for a little while longer.

New York City has a way of calming me.

The sounds. The smells. The chaos. They force me to stop thinking about everything else. Immediately.

I allow myself to become immersed in the hustle and bustle until all thoughts of this morning are gone.

There is no point in thinking of something I can’t fix right now anyway.

It takes me twenty minutes to get back to the building.

Once inside, I take the private elevator up to my floor. My assistant, Allison, sees me, but I must look like I do not want to be disturbed because she says nothing as I walk past her and into my office, closing the door.

Stacks of notes pile on my desk. She must have left them here. She’s the only person allowed inside this space, other than the cleaning crew. I’m sure I have a shit ton of emails waiting for me too.

I fire up the computer, and just as I suspected, there are hundreds.

This is why I come in at five o’clock in the morning most days.

Now I’ll get nothing done today but answer emails.

By the time my assistant finally walks into my office, it feels like my eyes are going to melt from staring at the computer.

I lift my hand and scrub at them.

“You haven’t left that spot all day.”

I lower my hand. “I know.”

“Are you caught up?” she asks, standing in front of my desk, a stack of folders in her arms.

“I am. Thank fuck. I take a few hours off, and it’s like the world has gone crazy.”

“Well, luckily for you, you have me. I would have answered all of them if you had asked.” She smiles, steps forward, and places the stack of work she completed in front of me.

“I wouldn’t give that job to my worst enemy. Actually, maybe I would.”

He just happens to be too dead to do it.

She chuckles. “Are you going to work late tonight?”

“Why? You have places to go that are better than this?” I gesture around.

“I actually do.”

“Of course, you can leave. Enjoy your night, Allison.”

“Thank you, Mr. Aldridge.” She turns to leave before stopping and looking over her shoulder. “Don’t forget. Tomorrow you are meeting with Lorenzo.”

“Thank you. I won’t.”

Once she leaves the room, I close out my computer and stand.

My father should have treated Ivy like he treated Payton, putting her first. Instead, he protected a stranger while throwing Ivy to the wolves. Unfortunately for Payton, my father is no longer around.

Time to plan how I’m going to ruin Payton Hart.

Jaxson Price is waiting for me when I arrive.