AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Standing, I nod a couple of times, then Coleman stands and closes the distance between us. He wraps his arms around me as he pulls me in for a hug. “We’ll get it all figured out, brother. Do not worry about tomorrow. It will work out.”
Thanking him, I decline breakfast and coffee because I have to work. I have to secure my woman, and I have to work. Once I’ve left, I climb into my car and head toward the condo. I don’t know if Allison is back yet, but I can at least get my surveillance plan in place for Cousin Samson.
Digital surveillance first. Finances and computer hacking. I want to know what sites he accesses. I want to know what he scrolls through when he’s taking a shit. I want it all. Then, physical surveillance is next. I want to be able to see him take that shit while he scrolls through his phone.
God, thinking about my cousin taking a shit makes me laugh. I should not be thinking of this shit, but I can’t help myself. I can’t stop myself from laughing as I park my car at the condo, then slide out and head upstairs.
The condo is empty.
It’s a good thing, even though I can’t help the anxiety I feel about that. What if she’s gone and doesn’t come back? But that’s a silly-as-fuck notion, because I would just fucking bring her ass back here again, so it wouldn’t matter if she ran from me or not.
I walk through the condo and make my way to the computer room, where I sink down in my office chair as I turn on all of my monitors and fire up my computers. It doesn’t take long for them to come on, and it takes even less time for me to find my cousin’s digital paper trail.
Samson spends money like it’s water. He’s buying frivolously expensive things left and right. Designer everything for both him and his wife. I would blame the wife, but it’s clear he’s spending the same amount on himself, and then their kids. They each have their own cards, and they are practically fucking maxed out.
If Samson is stealing money, he’s not using it to pay his credit cards off, because this fucker has been making minimum payments. Leaning back in my chair, I run my hand down my face and let out a grunt.
I’ve got some work ahead of me. I need to know exactly what the fuck he’s doing. It’s clear he’s not paying his bills off and they’re spending money like crazy. I mean, we make good money working for the family, but not this fucking good. Not a whole family spending money like it’s water good.
I’m not sure how long I’m working in the office before I hear the front door of the condo open, and then I hear voices. I stand to move out of the room and toward the living area. I’m surprised to see both my father and Allison together.
He dips his chin, taking a step backward. “I’ll see you for family dinner tomorrow, son.”
I watch as he turns around and walks away. As soon as he’s out of the condo, my attention flicks to Allison.
I feel it before I see it in her face.
Something is wrong.
I can tell by the look in her eyes.
Something is really fucking wrong.
ALLISON
Henry leaves Hendrick’s condo without a word other than a mention of family dinner. I know those dinners. Parker has told me about them. But it doesn’t matter, because I won’t ever be going to one of them anyway.
“You’re standing in front of me, and it’s clear you have something to say,” Hendrick says.
I can hear the anger building in his voice. And he has a right to be just that. I’m about to change everything. I’m about to tell him that I’ve betrayed him. I’m about to walk out of that door, choosing money and security over love.
But what kind of love could we ever have? He won’t go against his father. He won’t choose me as his bride. He’ll choose me as his mistress. A secret family that he keeps tucked away, never to be brought out into the daylight.
I want to be in the daylight.
I’ve never been there before in a relationship. Not really, anyway.
I want to be loved wholly, fiercely, publicly.
“I have to tell you the truth,” I say, my voice soft, a whisper.
He crosses his arms over his chest, clearly on the defense, as he should be because I’m about to tell him the biggest lie of my life.
“Tell me,” he grinds out.
“The baby isn’t yours,” I blurt.
I watch as shock crosses his features, his eyes widen, and then that surprise is replaced with anger. In this moment, I hate everything about myself. He takes a step forward, but I stay where I am. Lifting my chin slightly, I look into his eyes, blinking back my tears as I wait for what is coming next.
