Page 69 of It Hurts Me

He shook his head slightly. “She can drive me as crazy as she wants with an ass like that.” He pulled the smoke into his mouth then stared at the fire as he enjoyed it, his eyes lost in a momentary glaze. “What’s new with you?”

“I’m no closer to finding Draven than I was before. His distributors deal with his henchman, which is a different person every time. So I’m not sure if he rotates them or kills them after their use expires.”

“Sounds like pussy shit.”

“He knows I’m on to him, which means he’s got eyes on me, or ears in my vicinity.”

“You could ask Dante for help. He still knows people.”

“I’m not asking that little bitch for anything.”

“Yeah, I get it.” He released the smoke from his mouth.

“I can’t divide and conquer. I need to do one at a time, and Bolton is the greater threat.”

“He won’t be a threat after tomorrow night.”

“No, probably not.” I brought the cigar to my lips and pulled in the smoke.

Axel stared at the fire for a while. “So, did Astrid like her food?”

I’d known the topic was just around the corner, driving around the bend. “Yes.”

“What did she order?”

“I don’t remember.” It was the truffle pasta with cream sauce.

Axel turned to me. “Why did you pick Scarlett’s restaurant?”

“It’s your restaurant too.”

“I disagree. She’s the one who does all the hard work. I just eat everything then fuck the chef afterward.” He smirked then pulled the cigar out of his mouth to let it rest between his fingertips. A cloud of smoke erupted a moment later. “Don’t dodge the question.”

“It’s a good restaurant.”

“Or you wanted Scarlett to see you…”

“How would I know if she’s working?”

“Because you know shit, Theo.” His eyes pierced mine.

“I may be a mastermind at work, but I’m not a mastermind on my time off.”

“But you never have time off, right? Work is life, and life is work.”

I met his look with my own ferocity, quiet and sheathed. “What’s your point, Axel?”

“No point.” He shrugged then removed the silver dish, revealing the little soufflés underneath. “Scarlett learned how to make these from watching a video. Crazy, right?” He grabbed one along with a fork then started to eat.

I didn’t take one, not having an appetite at this time of night.

“How long do you think you’ll keep seeing her?”

“As long as it lasts.”

“What if it always lasts?”

“Nothing lasts forever.”