AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“You caused me a lot of shit. I want to know how you plan to make that right.”
I laugh at his audacity. “I caused you shit? The last time I checked, you were the one trying to fuck me. And correct me if I’m wrong, but didn’t Michelle stay with you?”
“Not before ruining everything else, destroying everything with knowledge you gave her.”
I’m stumped for a moment. And then it clicks. “Oh, I see. So, she kept you but made sure all the other girls knew. What’s wrong, Jeffrey? Did you lose your favorite booty call?”
He leans forward, placing his elbows on his knees, closing in on my personal space in an attempt to intimidate me. It works, but I don’t let that show. “You cost me more than a booty call. One of those women was a potential business partner, and now that deal is down the drain. So, the way I see it, you need to make up for it. Either you can pay me what you cost me, or... since you’re so sweet to look at, I’ll take it easy on you and let you cut me in on your business.”
I stare at him for a second, absorbing his words, the blank, bored expression never leaving my face. My mind turns over every possible route of escape, each of them discarded the moment I think them, until...
Yes. This might just work.
“I would love to, but thing is, I can’t make any decisions like that without speaking to my partner. He doesn’t take kindly to giving away any portion of profits, you see.”
“Then I suggest you make the call.”
“Oh, he isn’t the type you pick up the phone and call. No, when he wants to speak to you, he calls you.”
“I see. You have until tomorrow give me an answer, or I’ll make you regret ever getting in my way.”
“The next time King calls, I’ll tell him of your proposal,” I assure him, adjusting my shirt as I stand. “I’m sure he’ll be in contact.” I begin to walk away, pausing as I look over my shoulder for dramatic effect. “One way or the other.” My lips curl as his face drains of color, the threat hanging there between us.
He stands, stepping close to me once again. “King? THE King? Bullshit.”
“Well, I guess we’ll find out. Twenty-four hours, right? I’ll call you if you’re still alive.”
“Stop. Never mind,” he says, tripping over the words.
I hold my breath, waiting to see if I sold it well enough. Waiting to see if he reads the lie behind my careless smile. He doesn’t speak again, so I tilt my head to him in goodbye and casually walk back toward the elevator.
“Let me find out you’re lying, and not only will I get what I’m owed, but I’ll make sure King does too.”
I don’t respond as the doors close around me once again. What the hell have I done?
Chapter Four
KING
She leaves that morning looking bedraggled. My instincts have me following before I’ve formed the thought. She stops on the corner to purchase a coffee and danish that she then eats while sitting on a brick wall. Her eyes scan the street, taking in the people passing by. She seems serene. Content.
When she finishes her coffee, she darts across the street into a liquor store. I almost groan at the thought of her drunk again. It was hard enough last night to leave her there, half-naked and more than ready. She exits a few minutes later tucking a bottle into her purse and heads back to the apartment.
From my spot across the street, I can’t make out what she says to the doorman, but she pulls the bag from her purse and passes it to him before disappearing inside.
I contemplate walking in, but I need to unsettle her. Cornering her on her own turf isn’t going to do me any favors. I fish my cell out of my inside pocket as it rings and press Accept.
Fools.
All of them are utter and complete idiots. How the hell my father tolerated such imbeciles long enough to rise to the top is beyond me. I’d do away with them all if it wouldn’t cost me everything.
Five years ago, I had plans. I had dreams. Not a single one of them included taking over my father’s empire. I dabbled, don’t get me wrong, but I never had the desire to fully step into that role. Then he was murdered, and all my plans changed. I spent the first six months pretending to not want the title that came with his death. I brokered deals with people my father had shunned. I built bridges that had long ago been burned to the ground, and all for one reason.
The threat of my name and what I could do, if I chose, is what kept people loyal to me. I heard whispers. Everyone wondered what I was doing. They believed I would never live up my father’s name. I let them think what they wanted. Until I found out what I needed to know.
See, I knew the person who murdered him wouldn’t speak of it if I took up his mantle right away. So, I pretended to resent it, to discard the notion of continuing the way my father had. I gained their trust, or at least enough trust that they didn’t immediately quiet when I came around. And that is how I ferreted out the coward who point-blank shot my father in the back.
Then I made him pay.
