The Distance Between Us (MAC Security 3)

I walk back to the bar and worry my lip. I need to go and see what he’s come to see Jonny about, I need more information about what goes on here and by the look on Joel’s face, I’d say he’s about to confront Jonny about something.

“Break time,” I tell Garrett, not waiting around for what I’m sure will be a grunt in reply.

I make my way down the back hallway, already hearing raised voices before I get to the break room. I try to be inconspicuous and listen to what they’re saying but the bass of the music that starts playing back in the main area muffles their voices.

Taking a look around to make sure no one can see me, I inch closer to his office.

“You can’t fucking cut me off!” Joel screams, and I frown, wondering what he’s talking about.

“I can and I fucking will,” Jonny growls back. I hear movement as I lean closer to the door. “You’re taking a cut of my money, brother or not, I don’t do business with people who think they can rip me off.”

“Unbelievable!” Joel shouts. A loud bang echoes from the room and I imagine that he’s just punched a wall or something like that. What is it with men thinking that punching walls is a good idea? All they’re going to do is hurt themselves.

“Watch yourself, little brother, you’re testing my patience.”

Joel’s deep booming laugh vibrates through the door and I hold my breath when footsteps get closer, taking a few steps away and turning back around so that it looks like I’m only just now coming down the hallway.

“You think you’re so fucking clever, but I know exactly what you’re doing! You’re cutting me out so that you can get close to the cartel, so that you can get her back.”

I swallow, the tension radiating from that room almost stifling me.

“Don’t you dare—”

“Gianna. Poor, little, innocent, Gianna. Bet she’s not so innocent now, is she?” Joel laughs and then grunts when the unmistakable sound of flesh meeting flesh rings out. “You always did think she belonged to you,” he chuckles, pulling open the door and making me halt my steps. “Shame you could ne

ver have her.”

He spins around, wiping the blood that trickles from his nose, his eyes widening when he sees me.

“Well, hey there.” He smirks.

“Hey,” I whisper back, my eyes moving behind his and connecting to gray ones. “I was just coming to see if I could get a ride tonight?”

Joel walks toward me, stopping a couple of inches in front of me and lifting his hand to the back of my head, gripping my ponytail and yanking it as he pushes his face into mine. “Better watch where you’re walking, sweet Kitty, wouldn’t want you to hear anything you’re not supposed to.”

The threat in his eyes doesn’t scare me and knowing that Betty is firmly attached to my ankle makes me feel even more secure, but I’m meant to be undercover and any normal woman would be scared if he was gripping her the way he was me so I try to school my features into a pained expression.

“Get your fucking hands off her,” Jonny growls, coming to stand beside me and wrapping his hand around Joel’s arm. “Before I rip them the fuck off.”

Joel licks his lips suggestively, raking his eyes over me before pulling away and winking at me.

“See you back at Wayward.”

I don’t answer him or even dare move until Jonny’s eyes move to mine when the door bangs shut.

“You okay?” he asks, concern swirling in his eyes.

“I… erm... Yeah, I’m good.”

He nods once and spins around, not saying another word as he walks to his office and shuts his office door behind him.

I wipe the bar down then turn to stock up the fridge, getting ready for tomorrow night. Garrett is out back doing stock intake and Jonny has been gone most of the night.

It’s been two days since Joel came in shouting the odds and I thought things could get tense between me and Jonny after they found me in the hallway, but they haven’t. Things between us are easy and I’ll admit, he isn’t who I thought he was. He’s funny and sarcastic but also protective. I haven’t seen him once be the violent person that I thought he was.

I’m starting to realize that you really shouldn’t judge a book by a cover, or a guy by his reputation.

I almost feel bad for what I’m about to do, what I’m about to look for, and there’s a small part of me that hopes I don’t find anything.