Page 112 of Crossing Lines

“Yo, you at home? I’ll swing by with something to show you.”

“I’m at the hospital. Mama Gandmy mom had an emergency.”

“Oh shit,” he blurts with concern. “Both okay?”

“Mama G will be after resting. As for my mom…”

His heavy sigh fills the line. “I get it. I’m heading to the hospital.”

“What do you have for me?” I question.

“Uh…” He delays a beat. “Hate to add to the stress, but it’s about Davia’s stolen designs. My homie came through, and bro, it involves Iree.”

I click my tongue. “Fuck. She did it?”

“Nah, man. Someone set it up to look like that.”

Rage bubbles in my veins, and I clench the phone hard. “Who?”

FORTY-SEVEN

I plop down on my sofa, slightly calmer after showering but still feeling guilty over Mama G.

Gnawing at my bottom lip, I pick up my phone to call Kross. I’m nervous. Iree could have lied about him not wanting to talk to me, but he could very well blame me for Mama G ending up in the hospital. I care about him too much not to attempt to fix things, so I call his phone.

“Hey.” At least he doesn’t sound mad at me.

“Hi.” I push to my feet. “Um, how’s Mama G?”

“She’ll be okay. The doctor said she needs to cut back on all the sweets and get some rest.”

“Okay,” I breathe. “Kross, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to disrespect her. It’s just that learning Iree sabotaged my launch hurt me. I had to confront her.”

“It wasn’t Iree,” he rasps.

I screw up my face. “I know she’s like your sister, but you can’t ignore what she did. All because she has feelings for you, by the way.”

“Davi, it wasn’t Iree, and I can prove it. Open the door. I just got here.”

I look out the window to see him exiting his car in front of my apartment complex. My heart races as he climbs the stairs, and I quickly open the door.

“Hi,” I mutter, staring at him.

Holding papers in one hand, he enters and pulls me into his chest for a tight hug.

My body finally relaxes. God, I love the comfort in his embrace and how good he makes me feel. “I was afraid I’d lost you.”

He draws a deep breath at the side of my head. “No matter what, always talk to me. Deal?”

“Deal.” I ease back, and he kisses me softly. “I’m glad Mama G is all right. What about your mom?”

“She’s giving rehab another chance. Who knows if she’ll stick to a program this time.” He pauses before asking, “Who’s Wren?”

“A lead designer. Chavonne’s right hand.”

“That’s a huge problem ‘cause he’s behind the leak.”

My brows fly up. “What? That can’t be. Wren has been supportive from the jump. Why would he do that to me? To Chavonne?”

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