Colby's POV
"What's going on in your head?" Sam asked as I looked around the room, ignoring the food sitting in front of me.
"Trying to figure out what's actually going on here." I mumbled just quiet enough for him to hear.
"He just told us what's going on. We've been tasked on a mission with a huge reward, and like you said...it doesn't seem like we have a choice but to take it." Sam said as I nodded.
"You're right." I said then looked at Jake and Corey. "Impressed by you two idiots." I said then took a bite of food.
"We can behave." Jake said and squinted at me. "Not often enough for me to trust you." I teased as a man walked up to us.
"Mr. Brock. Mr. Quill would like a word with you." He said as I nodded, nudging Sam so he would stand up.
"Just you." The man said as I narrowed my eyes. "I don't go anywhere alone." I said blandly.
The guy stared at me for a moment before looking at Sam. "Only he can come." He said as I nodded.
"Don't pull anything." The guy said with a menacing tone.
"I wouldn't dream of it." I said then looked at Jake and Corey.
"Don't move." I said to them then followed the guy through the crowd with Sam.
He led us through the ballroom then went down a hallway and towards a room at the end of the hall.
"Have fun." The man said then opened the door, gesturing for us to go in. "Here we go." I whispered then walked into the room.
"Ah, Mr. Brock." Alexander said as he stood up from behind a desk.
It seemed like we were in an office of some sort. It was nice as hell though.
To our left was a marble fireplace with a library surrounding it.
Julia would have loved it.
On our right was a continuation of the library and a little table with chairs at it, almost like a conference room.
In the middle of the room was a large desk which Alexander was sitting at.
"Come in, boys." Alexander said as Sam as I walked in.
"I've heard many things about you." Alexander said and folded his hands on the desk while Sam and I sat across from him.
"Likewise." I said and watched him carefully. "Have you put any consideration of my..request?" He asked and raised his brows.
"It's an interesting proposition." I said cautiously. "Can I be honest with you, Mr. Brock?" He asked as I nodded.
"Of course." I said and focused on him. "I brought you here because I see potential in you. You remind me of myself at your age." He said then let his eyes flicker to Sam.
"I had a second in command as loyal as you. We climbed the crime world together and ended up where we are now." He said fondly.
"Enough about me though. I think you should strongly consider taking this job." He said and crossed his arms, leaning back.
"My men are very occupied with another matter. I don't know how much time I can spare for it." I said as he chuckled.
"A busy man." He hummed, leaning back. "What if I told you there was more to the story?" He asked as I raised my brows.
"I'm listening." I said as he chuckled. "It's my gem. Someone stole it from me, probably to gain some sort of traction or power." He said with a bland tone.
"Do you know of anyone who would do that?" He asked and twirled a pen around on his fingers.
"I know of a snake who would be dumb enough to do that, yes." I said with a shrug. "Great. So you're on board and will find it?" He asked and blinked slowly.
I had to think about this.
Sure, it would be a good idea to get in Alexander's good graces, but was it worth the risk?
This man could squash everything I've worked for in a matter of seconds.
He could take everything away from me.
He could take Julia.
God, why did she always pop into my brain? I couldn't think about her right now. I had to think with my head and not my heart.
I could picture her tear filled eyes though.
Ones that I would see when I told her I was putting my life so at risk that I couldn't guarantee her safety.
I could hear her telling me to play it as safe as possible, because she needed me.
I shook my head, trying to clear her from my mind.
Would Tony actually be dumb enough to steal a gem from the Alexander Quill?
Yes.
Yes, he would.
"I need time." I said and looked at Alexander. "Time?" He asked as I nodded.
"I want to give you my best work. There are things I need to sort out before I can commit to this fully." I said as he nodded and watched me carefully.
"We'll be in touch." He said then looked at the door, signaling for us to leave.
Sam and I stood up then left the room.
"Did that go well?" I asked him as he shrugged. "I don't know, I was gonna ask you the same thing." He said as we made our way back to the main ballroom.
"I need to make a phone call. Just..stay with Jake and Corey." I said as he looked at me cautiously.
"I'm fine." I said with a nod then went to step outside.
When I got out there I lit a cigarette then called Nate.
"Hey, boss. How's it going?" He asked as I sighed. "It's going. Can you put me on the phone with Jules?" I asked and closed my eyes.
I didn't know why I was doing this, but I just couldn't help it.
"Uh...she might be in bed but sure." He said as I ran my hand through my hair.
"Thanks." I said then closed my eyes. It took a couple minutes but eventually I heard a sweet sigh.
"Colby?" Julia asked as I sighed with relief. "Hey, sweetheart. Just checking in." I said as she breathed a laugh.
"Yeah? Too much testosterone? You're not used to that anymore." She teased causing me to grin.
"Shut up. I got used to your annoying ass." I said and looked up at the sky to see the stars.
"Mhm. Everything okay? It's kinda weird that you're calling me while at work." She said with a nervousness in her tone.
"Yeah. Everything is fine, sweetheart. Just needed a cigarette and some fresh air. Decided to call." I said and took a puff of my cigarette.
"That's an oxymoron." She said quietly. "What is?" I asked as I let out the smoke in my lungs.
"Fresh air and a cigarette. Those things are really bad for you, ya know?" She asked as I looked at the white cigarette that was pinched between my fingers.
"Yeah, I told you it's a bad habit." I hummed. "You seem off." She said nervously.
"I'm not. I just have to head back inside. You sure you're okay, sweetheart?" I asked, feeling the nicotine calm me a little bit.
"You're scaring me. Is someone else after me? Do I need to go somewhere else?" She asked with so much fear I felt my heart seize slightly.
"No, baby. You're okay right where you are. Sorry for scaring you." I hummed. "I have to go back in now. Let Nate know if you need anything." I said as she sighed.
"Okay. Be careful, Colby. Promise me?" She asked as I closed my eyes. I didn't want to promise her that because I couldn't guarantee that it was true, but I had to.
"I promise. Get some sleep, I'll see you tomorrow night." I said as she hummed. "Okay. Goodnight, Colby." She said quietly.
"Goodnight, sweetheart." I said then hung up. I sighed then grabbed another cigarette, needing it calm myself more.
I wish I had something stronger, but this would have to do for now.
"Everything okay, man?" Corey asked as he came outside. "Yeah, just needed one of these." I said and took a hit.
"I haven't seen you smoke much lately." He said as I nodded. "Usually do it private." I said and looked at the moon.
"You seem stressed." He said as I breathed a laugh. "Yeah, it's not the most comfortable situation but I'll live." I said as he walked closer.
"It's because of Julia isn't it?" He asked as I shook my head. "Why would you assume that?" I asked with an unbothered expression.
"When Dev and I started dating I didn't want to do jobs because I was scared it would get me killed or even worse, get her killed." He said and focused on the moon with me.
"It took a while to break that feeling, but you're great at your job. You keep us all safe while doing the most dangerous work. There's a reason you're at the top." He said and nudged my shoulder.
He had a point, but with Julia it was different.
I had never really been in love. Just once before but it was long before I was a part of the gang.
I didn't have another, much more innocent, life to account for. I always had the guys to protect but they knew what they were getting into.
I always protected their girlfriends, and their friends too.
I needed to be confident and sure with my abilities to protect Julia.
That was the only way this was going to work.