Page 151 of Tainted

“Not to my knowledge. Shana used to work for John, but they got a little too close. He thought he could trust her. She’d help with small tasks like delivering payoffs and other odd tasks until she got too close.”

“And Shana was gonna expose him,” I said, piecing it together.

Leonne gave a sharp nod. “John was adamant she would. He told us he needed help taking care of the situation. If Shana exposed him, it wouldn’t just be him going down. Our illegal business interests were on the line, and John was our inside man. We thought it was over until Zara walked into the police station asking for John.”

Our baby saved not just Zara’s life but theirs, too. It made me chuckle, thinking about the havoc I would’ve caused if something had happened to Zara over John’s lies.

“Your boy John played you. Kross pulled the security tapes. Zara didn’t go to the station looking for him. They picked her up from the club.”

Leonne’s gaze hardened, but before he could respond, the door creaked open, and Kross walked in. He was just in time, so I didn’t have to bother repeating it to him later.

"I’m the emotional hot head, but you almost destroyed everything, and for what? This is why you don’t let outsiders in family business.”

Leonne slammed his mug on the table, coffee sloshing over the sides. “You think I don’t know that now? Damn it, Keyes! He told us she was digging and would finish what Shana started.”

“We did what we thought we had to do. Stop acting naïve to this shit. You know how this business works. There’s no room for mistakes,” Kross replied.

“Nigga, fuck you!” I shot back. “Stop talking to me like I’m some tender ass nigga. I know how shit goes, but my brother shouldn’t be making decisions about my lady without me. You’re selfish as fuck! That’s my problem with you!”

Kross opened his mouth to refute my claim, but Uncle Leonne’s hand flew up. Obedience was always his strength while I continued ranting.

"John was just trying to cover his ass the whole time because we’re the last link to his dirt. I’m putting a bullet in him, and I don’t give a fuck how either of you feel about it,” I said, standing up.

Leonne’s jaw tightened, but he didn’t argue. Kross crossed his arms, eyes cast down as if he were still processing everything when I turned to leave. I couldn’t stay in that room a second longer. Not with the realization of how close they came to making the biggest mistake of their lives.

Just as I reached the door, Kross called after me, his voice soft but urgent. “Keyes, wait.”

“Leave me the fuck alone, Kross.”

“Javier called. He needs to see us now.”

I stopped but didn’t turn around, my hand hovering over the doorknob. “Why?”

“He didn’t give details, but he sounded serious. He said it can’t wait.”

I clenched my jaw, feeling the weight of my problems pressing down on me. First this mess with Leonne and John, and now Javier showing up out of the blue. His timing couldn't have been worse.

“Aite. Send me the address.”

But Kross climbed in the passenger side without invitation. The ride was tense, making the air inside the car feel heavy. Kross tried to make small talk a few times, but I wasn’t in the mood. I kept my eyes forward, hands gripping the wheel tighterthan I needed to. It wasn’t just Leonne’s bullshit earlier that had me on edge. It was everything. Zara, the baby, the lies that John spun. And now Javier, showing up out of nowhere, pushing for answers I wasn’t ready to give.

We pulled up to the low-key cigar lounge Javier frequented whenever he was in town. Kross got out first, adjusting his jacket as we approached the entrance. I followed, keeping my head down, my mind still racing, trying to figure out the best way to keep my mouth shut.

“Gentlemen,” he greeted, his voice smooth as he stood up and offered a hand to Kross. They shook hands, and then he turned to me, his eyes lingering for just a second longer. “Keyes. Good to see you.”

I gave him a curt nod, keeping my response short. “Javier.”

We took our seats, and one of the waiters brought over a fresh round of drinks. Javier didn’t waste any time getting to the point.

“What’s all this for?” I asked because everything with Javier was calculated.

“Celebrating our business expansion, I hope,” he said, swirling the whiskey in his glass before taking a sip. “Time is ticking, and right now, I have product sitting because I have no one to move it.”

I leaned back in my chair, letting Kross take the lead. He had always been better at the diplomatic role, and right now, I wasn’t in the mood to smooth anything over.

“We’re working on it. There’s a lot to consider with the expansion you’re proposing.”

Javier set his glass down on the table with a soft thud. “I’m not suggesting you rush, Kross. But I’m also not a fan of dragging things out unnecessarily. We’re in business to make moves, not sit on our hands.”

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