Chapter 16: Dead of Wynter: Chapter 15

The moment I’m out the front gates, I know this is a bad idea. Trying to convince security to let me leave at all was a task, but after agreeing to personal security they relented. I made up some bullshit about a friend of mine needing help, and when they called Storm to get his approval, I almost gave myself away with the sigh of relief I let out when he didn’t pick up the phone.

But luckily Carl missed it and now I’m on my way into the city in the back of a bulletproof SUV. I have no idea what I’m going to do when I get there, or how long it will be before my brothers or Everett realize I’m gone and start blowing up my phone, but I also don’t care. Being locked in that house without the right to leave, without the ability to walk to the goddamn front gate on my own is stifling, and any amount of time I can breathe is good enough for me.

Once we arrive at my apartment building I tell the driver I’m just running upstairs to get something for my friend. Another lie but why not add it to the rest?

“I should come with you, Miss Saint James. Your brother wants someone on you at all times,” he tells me.

I nod. “I know, and I totally get it, but you’re in a tow-away zone, if you get out of the car you might be towed.” Another lie. The cops wouldn’t dare take one of Storm’s cars away, especially seeing as half of them work for us, but I’m taking advantage of the fact no one knows that. “I’ll be really quick, and everyone thinks I’m still at the estate anyway.” I flash him my most sincere smile.

He gives a short nod. “Okay, but if you’re not back in five minutes, I’m coming in after you even if it means the car is towed.”

“Of course.” I smile before pushing the door open and walking as quickly and calmly as I can manage without alerting anyone to what I’m doing.

The moment I’m in the lobby I chance a look over my shoulder and breathe another sigh of relief when he’s fiddling with the radio station rather than watching me. It’s not until I reach the elevators that I look back again and when I find him still looking for a radio, I hit the down button. I’ll have to go out through the garage, but at least I’ll be able to get out without him noticing.

The moment I step into the elevator, I slouch against the wall. I’m being an idiot. What I’m doing is incredibly dangerous, especially seeing as I received what was very likely a threat to the house this morning, and every man in Russo’s organization is looking for their next Saint James target.

Even knowing that, I don’t go back. I hightail it out the back of the building and into a side street. At least I had the foresight to throw on some decent clothes and a bit of makeup before running away. Because that’s what I did. I ran away like a petulant fucking child.

I lean against the wall of my building and drag in long, hasty breaths. What the fuck am I doing? I could get myself killed pulling a stunt like this.

I’ve never slipped my security before, that’s Snow’s thing. I’ve always stayed with them, I’ve always played by the rules of growing up in a crime family. What am I trying to gain by doing this other than potentially dying?

I shake my head at myself and pull my phone out to see if anyone has noticed I’m gone yet. Everett will probably be staying as far away as humanly possible after our altercation this morning. Storm and Rayne are too busy to know where any of us are, and Snow and Emerson will probably be doing their own thing. The only way I’m getting found out is when the driver comes looking for me and I’m not in my apartment.

I have no new messages and I realize part of me was hoping Everett may have messaged to apologize for the way he spoke to me.

With that, I head to the street adjacent to the one we parked on and hail the first cab I see. I might as well make the most of my freedom while it lasts.

Twenty minutes later, I’m paying my cab fare and walking into my favorite bar. It’s the middle of the day so there aren’t many people around which suits me just fine seeing as I’m not far from Russo territory.

Amber’s has plenty of security though, and I’m as safe as I can be while being outside the estate without any of my own security. “Hey Chad.” I grin as I take a seat at the bar. It’s been too long since I’ve been here, and since I’ve had any time to myself. The time between our lockdowns was so short I only really had time to go to work and get a few things sorted there before we were at the estate planning funerals.

“Wynter! What are you doing here at this time of the day?” he asks. He’s six foot five of muscle and the biggest teddy bear I’ve ever met. His hair is tied back in a neat ponytail and graying at the roots, and deep lines surround his green eyes. When I started coming here after college Chad was like a drink serving therapist. All the things that happened while I was away only seemed to add to my broken heart from Everett leaving.

“I need a drink. It’s been a long few weeks.” I half laugh. I wish I could tell him how true those words are, but I can’t talk about family business with anyone, and maybe that’s part of the problem.

“I was sorry to hear about your folks, kid.” He frowns as he pours vodka into a glass followed by some lime and soda and pushes it across the counter. “Where’s your security?”

I shrug, not wanting to tell him I slipped them just so I could have some privacy for a few hours.

“Those brothers of yours will kill me if something happens to you on my watch.”

I huff out a laugh. “Nothing will happen to me here. This place is safe as houses.”

“For most people, yes. For you, I’m not so sure.”

I smile. “I’ll be fine. Plus, I won’t be here for too long. I just wanted to have a drink and sit for a bit.”

“You can sit here as long as you want, kid. You know that.” He smiles. “My son is around here somewhere, I’m sure he’d be happy to keep you company.”

I laugh. Chad has been trying to set me up with his son from the first day I stepped into this place despite the fact he lives in Pittsburgh with a steady career I doubt he would leave to move to Chicago. “I’m glad he’s visiting. I know you’ve missed him a lot recently.” I take a long drink from my glass and let out a breath. I’ve never even met Jordan, and yet I shut down any possibility from the first time Chad mentioned him.

Classic Wynter.

“Hey Dad, where did you say you wanted the box of tequila?” a deep voice calls from the hallway behind the bar.

“Come out here for a minute, son.”

A large figure appears in the doorway a moment later and I almost do a double take as my eyes roam the man’s body. Jordan is tall just like his dad, the same piercing green eyes as the older man, and messy brown hair falls around his shoulders. Sharp, devastating cheek bones, and the most luscious beard I’ve ever seen in my life tops the solid wall of muscle standing in front of me.

Holy shit, Chad’s son is a straight up hottie.

“I want you to meet someone.” Chad grins, the familiar glint in his eyes. “This is Wynter Saint James.” He motions to me.

Jordan’s eyes drag over my body and a smile tugs at his lips. “Well how do you do, Wynter?” he drawls.

“It’s nice to finally meet you, Jordan. Your dad is very proud of you.”

I return his smile, because lord this man is something else. I’ve never been that interested in men that aren’t the one who took my virginity. Every other man I’ve allowed to get close has only hurt me, and I’ve never felt strong enough to have my heart and body broken over and over again. But hey, you only live once and seeing as I have the world’s biggest target on my back at the moment, might as well start living.