“I can deal with it.”

He knew she could. She’d been holding up like a champ so far. She’d even dealt well with the robbery, although the loss of the necklace put a dent in her armor. Jason had called Jack Renault, and the PI was looking for the jewelry based on Faith’s description and an old photograph where the piece was shown from a distance on her mother’s neck. Lord knew there were a lot of pawnshops in New York City for him to scour, and the process would take time.

They walked into the club well past suppertime, when people came for after-dinner drinks and the Friday night crowd had started picking up. He gestured for Faith to head upstairs ahead of him, following close behind, and they entered the main office area to find Tanner and Landon dressed for a night on the floor.

“Well, well, well. Look who’s here,” Tanner said.

“Thanks for coming. We know you have other things on your mind right now,” Landon said, his gaze falling to Faith.

“I suppose introductions are in order. Faith Lancaster, these are my best friends and partners, Landon Bennett and Tanner Grayson.” Jason gestured between them.

“Nice to meet you,” she said.

“At least now I understand Jason’s reasons for being tied up elsewhere,” Tanner said, laughing.

Jason shot his friend an annoyed glare.

“It’s nice to meet you, too, Faith.” Landon had always had better manners than Tanner, who was only a charmer when he wanted to be one.

“Jase, we need to talk,” Tanner said bluntly, his stare on Faith.

Jason rolled his eyes at the man’s rude behavior.

“I can go downstairs,” she offered, eyeing the crowded bar area with little to no enthusiasm.

“Sweetness, how about I set you up in my office for a few minutes?” Jason asked, offering her a more palatable option. She didn’t need to be surrounded by strangers at the moment, and his asshole friend should know better.

“Sure. That’d be great.” Her shoulders relaxed and she was clearly relieved.

He placed a hand on her back and led her to his private office. “Make yourself comfortable. I won’t be long. These guys … they just need a group hug sometimes.” Chuckling, he winked at her. “And Tanner’s bark is worse than his bite. Honestly.” He leaned in and brushed a kiss on her cheek, her sweet scent and warmth calling to him. “I’ll be back.

He strode back into the room and glared at Tanner. “Do you have to be an asshole?”

“Sorry,” he muttered. “I just thought it’d been awhile since the three of us had gotten together. I didn’t expect you to show up with her.”

“She’s in danger. Her drug addict brother broke into her apartment last week. I told you this. Come on.” He placed a hand on Tanner’s back. The man held on to the three of them like a lifeline, and Jason should have realized he needed to come down here long before now.