Page 88 of Crossing Lines

“Know him?” Cairo questions and chugs his drink.

“That’s Davia’s situation.”

“Oh shoot.” Preston pats my shoulder. “All right, bro. I’ll let security know to be ready—”

“Nah, it’s cool. Ol’ boy won’t do shit in public to embarrass himself.”

“We’re still staying ready, though,” Cairo says.

They shadow me downstairs to the main area, hanging back as I approach Jamir. “What’s up, man? Thought you didn’t like nightclubs.”

He clenches his jaw and adjusts his jacket. “Let’s talk in your office. You do have one, right?”

“Over there.” I lead the way, noticing Anif in a ready stance nearby as I enter the office with Jamir. I close the door partly. “What do you want?”

“Stay the fuck away from Davia,” he orders. “Don’t send her lunch or stupid French notes. Don’t contact her. Just leave her alone. If you don’t, I’ll shut down this place and any other business you own. Trust me, I can make that happen.”

I step up to his face. “I ought to kick your lame ass for coming here threatening me. You’re the one who slacked off, bruh. Davi’s miserable with you.”

He crumples his brows. “The fuck you say?”

“You heard me. All Davi does is smile with me. You’re draining.”

The veins in his neck look like they’re about to pop. Eyes wilting to the floor, he murmurs, “She doesn’t let anyone call her Davi.”

“Well, I do. Get the fuck out of my club!”

“Stay away from what’s mine,” he warns again before stepping past me and leaving the office.

Cairo and Preston enter soon after, Anif peeking in over their shoulders. He shuts the door when he realizes I’m good.

“See, he’s all right,” Preston chuckles and drops onto the sofa. “Dude didn’t appear busted, and I know how you throw down, so I figured it was civil.”

“Civil my ass.” I accept the drink from Cairo and sit in the chair. “Fucker threatened to shut down the club if I don’t stay away from Davia.”

“Damn,” both drag.

I gulp the hard liquor. “That punk-ass doesn’t scare me. Motherfuckers like him are all talk.”

“Want me to take a couple of guys to see him?” Preston offers with a serious expression. “Teach him a lesson?”

“Nah, it’d upset Davia. Let it go.”

“So she’s still with him?” Cairo questions with a pinch between his brows.

I clench my jaw. “She said she’d tell him about us.”

“But she hasn’t,” he points out. “Clearly.”

That aggravates me. “I need to call her.”

“All right, man.”

Once they leave the office, I slide my phone from my pocket and call Davia.

She answers immediately. “Hi. Thanks for lunch. I’m sorry I didn’t call or text. It’s been a busy day.”

“Your soon-to-be ex was just at my club.”

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