AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Because you said I needed to.” His gaze flitted over my face.
“No, I did not.”
“Yes, you did, last night.Whichis why I will be reaching out to the residents to get a feel for what they feel will be beneficial. Your words, not mine, but you made a valid point. I’m here to grant the people the opportunity to speak to the man controlling their residential destiny.”
“You do realize I was simply stating a point. It wasn’t an invitation for you to join me.”
“Are you telling me no?”
Say yes, Jhorie.
He held my gaze until I answered.
“You can come but don’t mess this up.”
Ezekiel smiled and I loved it. Sexy and enticing, the type of smile that made you throw caution, and all your morals, to the wind.
“This is business…” he stated calmly. “And whether you trust me or not, you know I’m an excellent businessman. I close deals…”
“This is not a deal. This is about people’s lives, their wellbeing,” I defended.
“Everything is business in one way or another. We’re negotiating terms for their wellbeing. I want a happy medium. I want to rebuild the community in a way where we all win.”
That was when something occurred to me. He was a business-minded individual…
“What do you get out of this?”
“Get out of what?”
I locked my arms over my chest and stepped over the threshold of my apartment, closer to Ezekiel. “Rebuilding these communities.”
His expression shifted and lowered a few degrees, turning cold. I’d offended him. “I care about these communities.”
“And…” I wasn’t letting up. There was more. Had to be.
He hesitated but folded. “As I’ve stated, everything is a business decision one way or another. My goal is to do what’s best for our people. Providing better quality of life is a small tradeoff for gaining support of those who live here.”
My lips parted slightly, then I shook my head. “This is for political gain.”
“In some ways yes, but that political gain facilitates helping these communities.”
“How?”
“I’m giving them a voice.”
“Yourvoice, not theirs.”
“The truth is I’m their advocate and the best they have. Because if not me, then it’s some greedy politician who doesn’t give a shit about communities or the promises they make, which you’ve pointed out several times. I will deliver. It’s a win-win but more than anything, I care. That, first and foremost, is the priority. Whether you believe that to be true or not.” There wasn’t one ounce of uncertainty with his delivery and Ezekiel didn’t break eye contact or waver in the slightest.
I believed him. He wasn’t some stuffy, greedy suit who wanted to take advantage of the people in these communities. Still, it bothered me some that there was always an agenda. There always had to be a gotdamn agenda.
Ezekiel was also right in that it couldn’t be avoided. If not him then someone else would be standing in his place. He was the best option.
“Okay then. I guess you’re tagging along.”
We left my apartment with me stewing about the admission he’d just made but I refused to force my bad mood on anyone else, meaning the residents, not him. He could get all the smoke, so I plastered on a smile and prepared to beat the pavement.
* * *
