Page 111 of Crossing Lines

“That’s why they look like that?” I mutter, hating that my woman and sister are at odds.

“They were screaming and beating on each other. Think it involves why Iree lost her job today.”

“La Montefired sis?” Cairo marvels.

Iree enters the room. Her shoulders sink as she stares at our faces. “What?”

“Why were you fighting my girlfriend?” I demand. “What happened atLa Montetoday?”

She sucks her teeth. “Your girlfriend showed up to fight me ‘cause she thinks I sent her designs to a competitor.”

“Say what now?” Cairo folds his arms. “That better be a misunderstanding.”

“Tell me the truth,” I say in a stern voice. “Did you have anything to do with that?”

Iree tightens her face, her eyes turning glossy. “Can’t believe you’d ask me that. Do you even care Davia caused Gran’s blood pressure to go up?”

“You were both fighting and stressing me,” Mama G scolds her after hissing.

“Gran,” Iree whines, tears escaping.

Always softening to his baby sister, Cairo unfolds his arms and pulls her close to comfort her. “All right. Gran will be fine. Stop crying. Why did they accuse you of stealing Davia’s designs?”

“I don’t know,” she sniffles. “The real culprit is using me as a scapegoat. They might sue my ass.”

“I have to talk to Davia. Mama G, I know you’re mad at her for fighting at the house, but she’s worried about you. She feels bad.”

“Hmm,” she hums and nods.

“Davia left,” Iree tells me, wiping her face.

I scowl. “What did you say to her?”

“That none of us want her here, including you.”

“What the hell, Ree.” I huff at her and take out my phone to call Davia, exiting the room.

Iree follows me into the hallway. “Why couldn’t you give it to me instead?”

Her question stops me in my tracks. “What?”

“Your heart.”

I narrow my eyes and study her gaze, seeing something I’d missed all this time. “Iree…”

“I loved you first,” she confirms softly, moving closer. “Loved you the moment Cairo brought you home. All these years, you never saw me as anything other than an annoying little sister.”

“Iree, listen—”

“No, you listen,” she insists. “I watched you date different girls. Had your fun without ever being serious. And I thought maybe I stood a chance. But then you meet Davia, and everything changes. You love her. You don’t see anything outsideof her. You don’t see me. But I love you more than she could, Kross. I know you better. I can be—”

“That’s enough, Ree.” I hold her shoulders. “I’m sorry. The last thing I ever want to do is hurt you, but I don’t see you that way because you’re my sister. You’re Cairo’s sis.Family. That’s all it’ll be, which means a lot to me.”

Tears spilling down her cheeks, she moves from my grasp and walks down the passage, turning at the corner.

“Damn,” I exhale, rubbing my forehead. Iree’s been carrying that in her chest, and I had no idea.

The phone vibrates in my hand. I look at who’s calling before answering. “Sup, Pres?”

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