AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I smirked and turned to face her once more. “Unfortunately, you at dinner with the family won’t happen. Keeping you away is the only demand Elias made. Your things were packed and moved out the house the night after his wedding. Notice I saidthreehomes, not four. You’re no longer welcome at our family property. You will never get to know my niece and nephew. And if you try to get anywhere near them, I’m pretty sure you’ll soon be occupying the plot next to your husband courtesy of Elias. I’ll spend every penny I have to ensure he never spends a second in jail because of it. It’s best you heed my warning. Testing me is far worse than testing him, but when it comes to his wife and children…” I smirked. “That’s a guaranteed death sentence.”
I walked away, feeling not one ounce of regret. She made her bed, now it was time to lay in all the dysfunction and filth she placed there.
“Are you sure you want to play that hand with me Ezekiel?”
I stopped and turned to face her. The smugness of her expression told me everything I needed to know before she continued. “I know your secrets. All of them. Maybe it’s time I tell your brother everything. I’m sure he would be surprised to know he’s not at fault for Lucas’s death. We blamed him because he was an easy target. However, we all know you’re the reason we lost Lucas. How do you think Elias would feel about that?”
This day was inevitable. My self-imposed purgatory would never be enough. The looming reminder that things could have been different was always there. She was always there reminding me.
“I’m exhausted with all of this. Maybe it needs to come out so we can move on with our lives. Find a place of peace. None of this is on me or Elias. The only blame lies with Cole Devereaux. It died with him; it was buried with him. He’s the reason we lost Lucas.”
“He pulled the trigger but you set things in motion. Stop fucking playing with me, Ezekiel. Or I’ll make sure you lose him too.”
She brushed her hands down the front of her Chanel pantsuit and plastered on a smile. “I’ll expect my access to those accounts to be returned before close of business.”
I watched her walk away but at this point I had nothing to lose. Elias might not like knowing all the details, but maybe it was time he found out the entire truth.
“No.”
She stopped and I had her full attention again.
Her brow lifted slightly. “No?”
“You heard me. I don’t give a fuck about you exposing my secrets. I’ve done nothing wrong. All I’ve ever done is protect everyone in this family. I’ve done the best I could with the hand I was dealt. If you want to expose my truths, Mother, then so be it. I’ll deal with whatever feelings or consequences but you can go to hell. I’m sure your husband would love the company.” My eyes traveled over her face before I smirked and added, “Or maybe not, considering the source. Get the fuck out of my office.”
When I walked away, she didn’t say a word. I was sure she would deliver on her promise. If she did, I’d deal with what that meant for our family moving forward. Elias was in a good place and I had faith the past resurfacing wouldn’t change that.
three
Jhorie.
I inhaled a deep breath and released it before walking into Ocean’s where I was meeting Samiya for lunch. She’d called and left a message saying she wanted to talk to me and of course I accepted. I was hopeful she was reaching out to officially offer me a position.
Lunch was a good sign. Who bought someone lunch just to crush their soul and deny them their dream job?
Very rich and successful women like Samiya Jones who were possibly disconnected from how the real world worked, that was who. But wait, she wasn’t disconnected. She was down to earth. Very down to earth. Think positively, Jhorie.
Dressed to impress—in high-waisted black pinstriped pants, a short-sleeved mock turtleneck and matching blazer, heels, and flawless makeup—I walked into the restaurant with keen eyes, my chin slightly elevated and shoulders rolled back.
Powerful and poised.
As soon as I located Samiya, a twenty-pound boulder sank to the pit of my stomach. Shit, I didn’t get the job. This was a “sorry you didn’t make the cut” lunch. She was dressed in jeans and a very cute but casual cream sweater and her hair was pulled back into a ponytail.
This was not a business meeting.
As soon as her eyes shifted my way she frowned and offered a sympathetic smile, waving me over.
Yep, this is surely a didn’t make the cut meal.
“I’m so sorry. I should have mentioned this was casual. I didn’t really think—”
“No, it’s fine. I should have asked and you don’t have to buy me lunch to tell me I didn’t get the job. Although, I am very grateful. You could have just sent an email.”
“Jhorie, have a seat. I didn’t invite you here to buy you lunch to soften the blow. This was supposed to be a celebration lunch. A congratulations, youdidget the job.”
“Oh thank fuck. This would have been extremely embarrassing if the plan was to let me down gently while I’m here dressed like this.” I lowered my eyes and she grinned.
“You’re a woman after my own heart and we like to make a statement. So technically it wouldn’t have been all that embarrassing. Let’s say more of a statement about this is what you’re passing on, which I’m not…” she quickly added. “Please sit.”
