Page 29 of Aydin

My stomach felt queasy at the lie that rolled off my tongue.

“All pledges are welcome, and you can go to our website.”

“Do you mind if I sent one to her personally? I mean with us both in the public eye…”

“I understand. If you’re interested, she has multiple businesses you could donate.”

“That would be wonderful if I could get a list of them.”

“Sure, no problem.”

As the assistant recalled each company, I made a note on a piece of paper to research each one and the finances to match up against what she paid to the security firm. By the time she’d finished, I had five companies that looked legit online, but I knew it could be a front. I needed to rethink what I was doing and get some help before I ended up getting fired again.

AYDIN

A week later.

Nicco and Nasir bitched about me, along with my brothers, about the game. I let out one last breath and rubbed my palm over my face. I invited everyone over to hang out because we didn’t have any events to monitor. The office was closed today, and I told Nasir to give everyone the day off paid. Somehow, that included him driving some of my employees to my house. He knew I hated people in my space, but anything I said got ignored unless I put my foot down.

“Block!” Josiah yelled, jumping up from the couch.

“Don’t spill that beer on my floor, J,” I complained, coming around from the kitchen and passing a bottle to Nicco.

“I have a hundred bucks on this game,” Josiah groaned. Wesley laughed because we all knew Josiah never could pick a winning team. He loved the Eagles, and we went for the Titans as our home team. Often, we’d take our dad to games, but we’d missed the latest game because of work.

“You never win anyway,” Wesley joked, and Josiah popped him in the arm.

“Aye! Take that outside,” I told them, and they laughed at me.

“You sound like Dad,” Josiah replied, and I flipped him off.

“Better Dad than Mom.” Wesley joined in on the fun.

“Leave my wife out of your grip.” Dad picked up another slice of pizza.

“Mom would have knocked them both upside the head.”

“True,” Josiah and Wesley spoke at the same time.

“Did you talk to Amelia lately?” Nasir brought up.

“No, we see each other in passing.”

I grabbed a plate and piled on two slices of pizza and wings.

“She pretty much avoids me now,” Nasir said, and I thought about our last conversation in his office. It wasn’t on purpose that I avoided her, but when it came to my work, that was my focus.

“Amelia’s sexy. Is she dating anyone?” Josiah whispered to Wesley.

“She’s off-limits.”

“Says who?” Wesley wondered.

“Me,” I demanded.

“See how he treats us.” Josiah motioned from Dad to me.

“Who’s Amelia?” Dad asked.

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