Off Limits, Brother's Best Friend Chapter 198

Chapter 198: I Didn't Brag 

Brianna

Bryce took the time last night to explain to me a little bit about what has been going on. Their Cartel runs guns for most of the east coast and through all the states. It is a lucrative business for them but the Black Knight have a grudge over Callan for how some meeting went bad last year and they have partnered up with some street gangs to try and take over the gun business. That is partially why Callan was the specific target yesterday. Some guy from their Cartel really hates Callan for stopping his engagement with Hannah Vortex of all people.

Something soured in my gut at his words. So Callan didn't want Hannah getting married and how he is the one who is always hooking up with her. Does he want her for himself? Was he jealous? It burned my inside to think about it.

“We were going to put an end to these threats and for all. Callan, Angelo and myself are good businessmen, Brianna and we know what we were doing.” He had told me.

“But this isn't that kind of business. This  war sounds more like gun fights and violence, not paperwork and money ventures.” He said, he was hesitant to tell me much more than that.

When I asked if there were other violent attacks, he didn't answer either, which makes me believe this drive-by shooting wasn't the first of these. The discussion didn't end with that though, he wanted to finish the discussion by scolding me once more on how I shouldn't be embarrassing him by getting with these men. It is so hypocritical because these men, my brother included, get with anyone they want and aren't considered embarrassments.  We brickered a little bit about it which frustrated me but then I was left to go take a shower and that sort of ended the conversation there. Last night, I received a text from Roy but I haven't responded back because I was mad at him for opening his mouth about hooking up with me. If he was bragging or bashing me to all his friends then I just don't want to deal with him again. That wasn't fair to me and I thought he was better than that. Besides, it led to fighting with my brother which I hate doing. 

Today, I received a call from Dontella herself. She is back in the city and ready to photograph me for Prada to be featured in Vogue magazine and then we have an actual event that I will be her plus one for and she pulled a fun look for me to attend with her, I always trust her opinion and I am actually excited to see her today since it has been weeks. I didn't overly dress since I am going to a photoshoot and I will be stripped and done to their version for this advertisement anyway. I received a second text from Roy this morning but honestly I didn't even think to answer it because I had been on the phone with Donatella for about thirty minutes. Bryce wasn't home by the time I left the apartment and maybe it is for the best so we can just forget about our bickering last night.

I was surprised when I left the building and saw someone already approaching me. The doorman was missing today which is a first. I always see that old man at this door but I opened the door for myself at the same time as Roy Vortex was crossing the street.

“Brianna, what the hell! I got worried that something happened to you.” He huffed when he saw me.

I fisted my Prada clutch a little tighter and tried not to falter in what I wanted to say to him. Of course, I wore my Prada clutch to Prada shoot, it is actually a bag Callan had brought me during our shopping spree last year but I try not to think about it when I use it. I looked away from him and started walking to the corner where my ride would be picking me up.

“Brianna?” He followed after me and grabbed my forearm to stop me.

“What is going on?” His eyes caught beautifully in the light of the run rays coming down from the sky. 

Even in plain clothes, he looks good but I was angry with him. I stopped short which made him do the same.

“Look, I am really disappointed that this was how things ended up, but I have no patience for your games.”  I told him outright and his dark brows furrowed and his eyes continued to dart around as he tried to understand my words.

“What game, Brianna?” He looked frustrated. Well, so am I.

“You bragged to your friends, didn't you? About nailing Bryce's little sister. Is that a bet you guys all play to see who can do it?” I was proud of myself for not faltering in my words. 

I watched as his brows shot up his hairline and he came to stand directly in front of me instead of to the side of me where he had grabbed my arm. Now both hands came to my upper arms to keep me in place.

“Brianna, I would never do that. I am not some idiot child who wants to brag about his hook-ups.  I didn't say shit to anyone.” He sort of sounds angry now, though I could tell he was trying to control it.

“Then why did Bryce come home last night, yelling at me for getting with you? How would he know?” He let go of one of my arms and ran his hand through his hair.

“I don't know how he found out but he confronted me last night too. I swear to god Brianna, that it wasn't me.” His hand rubbed down my arm and he took a step closer. 

“But I saw you on the phone yesterday morning…” I wanted to see if he would fess up to what I overheard.

“I was on the phone with my cousin Gabe but I wasn't bragging, darling.” He assured me.

But he didn't bring me up because I heard him say Bryce's sister and there is only me. When I didn't look convinced, he sighed and brushed my hair away from my face.

“You heard me mention you, huh?” At least he didn't lie.

When I nodded, he swiped a hand down his stubbled jaw now. 

“Well this is embarrassing.” He looked away from me for a second.

“Why?” My stupid voice came out quiet and almost shy.

“I..I wasn't talking about screwing you.” That was all he could say about it.

Do I want him to admit to me that he mentioned some crush? I figured he was just being a smart ass and that he didn't mean it. Someone like Roy Vortex wouldn't have a crush on a girl. He is a mafia, player and troublemaker like Bryce told me last night and Jane told me even before that. Though she seems to like him for me where Bryce definitely doesn't.

“Don't make me say it.” He said after a second and I shook my head and noted the time.

“I will be late for work, I have to go.” I motioned to side step him but he blocked me.

“Wait, Brianna. I don't want you thinking I am some douchebag, I was telling my cousin I screwed you. It wasn't like that, I was….telling him that I thought you were really great.” He looked pained to even admit that out loud. He didn't use the word crush, though.

“Really?” I found myself asking.

“Come on, darling I will drive you where you need to go.” He ignored the question and diverted the conversation.

“A car will be here any second.” I shook my head no.

“So cancel it, come on.” His hand came to the small of my back and he used it to turn me around to wherever he was parked.

He seems like a man who doesn't let someone say no to him very often, so I myself just walked to where he was leading me. He opened the front door for me and jogged around to the other side to get in.

“Where to?” He asked, I pulled the address up on my phone and handed it to him.

“What are you doing for work?” He asked and I told him about Dontella and the Prada shoot.

“Shít, you really do have a lot going on for you, that is really awesome, Brianna.” His hand came down to my thigh and gave it a light squeeze.

When I didn't comment on his touch, he decided to leave his hand on my thigh while he drove with his other hand. He looked good doing it too, his movements are smooth and he sits back like he has got nothing to prove. Every once in a while, I could feel his thumb rub up and down and it felt good on my flesh and when he would glance my way, I could feel flustered at how intently he could look at me sometimes. When he pulled up to the address, it looked like a home which intrigued me.