Chapter 90 The Resistant
JADE
I walked away from Jeremy Santoro with my jaw clenched so tight it ached.
He'd looked at me. I'd seen it. That flicker of interest. That male recognition of what I was offering.
Then nothing happened. Dismissal. He rejected me coldly, as if I was unimportant to him.
After everything I'd done. The planning. The preparation. The cost of the dress was equivalent to two weeks' wages. The makeup. The hair. All of it designed to catch his attention.
And he'd looked right through me.
I returned to work. Picked up a tray. Served drinks. I smiled at the men who were appreciative of my efforts.
But my mind was elsewhere.
Jeremy showing up unexpectedly. Looking tense. Drinking hard. Something had happened. Something had triggered in him a desire for whisky and solitude.
But what?
Fight with family? Business deal gone wrong? Something else?
I needed information. Needed to understand what made him vulnerable tonight so I could use it later.
I caught Sarah at the bar. "Santoro showed up late. You know why?"
She shrugged. "No idea. Luca said he changed his mind. That's all I know."
"He seem off to you?" I asked her in a calculating tone.
"He's drinking like he's trying to drown something. So yeah, I'd say he's off." She gave me a look. "Why? Are You planning something stupid?"
"Just curious."
"Sure you are." Sarah grabbed her tray. "Be careful, Jade. Men like Santoro don't play games. They end them."
She left.
I served another round. Collected tips. I observed Jeremy from the other side of the room.
He was on his fourth—no, fifth—whisky. Talking to his associates. Playing the role. But there was tension in his shoulders. Something is eating at him.
I pulled out my phone. I reviewed the files that Mick had forwarded to me. Forty-seven photos. Three videos. This represents a week filled with Amelia's daily activities.
Including tonight. Meeting that man at the coffee shop. Exchanging money for something.
What if that was it? What if Jeremy found out? What if that's why he was here drowning his problems in expensive scotch?
No. I was just guessing. Inventing scenarios.
I needed facts. Real information. Not speculation.
I texted Mick: Need update. What happened with the target tonight after she returned to the estate?
He replied back, 'I don't know.' I stayed outside. I was unable to see into the building.
Useless.
I put the phone away. Focused on work. On being visible. I focused on ensuring that Jeremy would remember my presence if he decided to change his mind.
But he didn't look my way again.
Didn't see me. Didn't care.
He continued to drink, converse, and act as if everything was alright.
Fine.
Let him ignore me tonight. Let him dismiss me.
I had ammunition. Photos. Videos. These were proof of whatever that blind girl was hiding.
Eventually, I'd use them. Eventually, I'd make him see.
Jeremy Santoro would notice me. One way or another.
JEREMY
I was on my sixth whisky when Luca approached again.
"Boss, It's past two. You planning to sleep here?"
"Maybe. "I stared into the amber liquid. "Problem?"
"No problem. Just—you've had a lot to drink. Maybe you should call it a night."
"I'll leave when I'm ready."
Luca hesitated. Then: "Want me to call someone? Get you a ride home?"
"I can drive."
"No offence, boss, but you really can't." He pulled out his phone. "Let me call—"
"Fine. Call whoever. I don't care." I waved him off. "Just leave me alone."
He moved away. Made a call. I didn't pay attention to him anymore.
The party had thinned considerably. Only the serious drinkers and late-night dealmakers remained. Enzo must have left an hour ago. Most of the associates had cleared out.
It was just me and the whisky, accompanied by thoughts that no matter how much I drank, I couldn't drown.
I was contemplating ordering another when I heard it.
The sound of a cane tapping on a hardwood floor caught my attention.
My head snapped up.
Amelia.
She stood at the entrance to the main room, white cane in hand, looking uncertain and vulnerable. She felt out of place in this world of sharks and predators.
Luca was beside her, guiding her forward.
Every head in the room turned. Conversations paused. Men assessed her with varying degrees of interest and curiosity.
She was a blind girl who was dressed in Crimson. In the VIP section. After hours.
I stood. The room tilted slightly. Too much whisky. I steadied myself against the table.
Amelia's face was turned in my direction. She seemed to sense my presence even from a distance.
"Jeremy?" Her voice was quiet. Tentative. "Luca said you needed a ride home."
AMELIA
Luca had called me an hour ago.
"Amelia. Boss is still at Crimson. He's had too much to drink. Can you come get him?"
"Why me? Can't you drive him?"
"He won't listen to me. But he'll listen to you. " I had wanted to go to him earlier, but I decided against it. Now with Luca's call, it seems I have to, as he was literally begging me. "Please. I don't want him driving in this condition." He begged again.
So I'd got dressed. Called a car service. My stomach was in knots as I made the twenty-minute drive to Crimson.
Jeremy was here. Drunk. Because of our fight. This was a direct result of my actions.
The driver helped me to the entrance. Luca met me there.
"He's in the main room. I'll take you to him."
He guided me through the space. I could feel eyes on me. As I walked past, I could hear conversations coming to an end.
Then I smelt him. Whisky and cologne. Jeremy.
"Jeremy?" I called out. "Luca said you needed a ride home."
Silence.
Then footsteps. Unsteady. Coming toward me.
"You came." His voice was rough. Slurred slightly. "Why?"
"Because you need to get home safely. Because—" I stopped. "Because I was worried about you."
"Worried." He laughed bitterly. "That's rich. You worry about me while meeting with the Volkovs behind my back."
I flinched. "Jeremy, please. Not here. Let's just—let's get you home. We can talk there."
"Maybe I don't want to go home. Maybe I want to stay here. Drink more. Forget—" He stopped. "Forget everything."
"You've had enough. Please. Just come with me."
"Why should I?" He was close now. I could feel the heat of him. He was radiating anger. "Give me one good reason."
"Because I love you. Because I'm sorry. I want to make this right." My voice cracked. "Please, Jeremy. Just come home."
He went silent again.
Then he finally said, "Fine. Let's go."
His hand gripped my elbow. Firm and possessive. Not gentle at all.
Luca cleared his throat. "I'll walk you both out."
Then I heard one of the girls' voices, ''she thinks she is the Sontoro mistress now," and then another one said ''dont worry, Jade has got her plan on her."
Jade again, why is she so bent on making my life difficult? But before she executes her plan, I have to make my own plan.