Page 100 of Crossing Lines

“It’s okay,” she says, her voice raspy. “I’ll head home and design. Maybe if Chavonne sees new looks, it’ll motivate her to stay the course, and we can salvage the situation.” Her eyes are so sad, and I hear the exhaustion in her voice after crying so much.

“I’ll come by when I leave the club.”

“Okay.”

I kiss her lips and hug her again. The fact that she came to me for support makes me want to do more.

After Davia leaves, I text Preston to meet me at the club. I head there and wait in the office while looking through papers.

Knocking halts me, and I lift my head as Preston enters and closes the door.

“Dang, man,” he whistles. “Can’t believe someone lied on your spot.”

“I’ll take care of it. But I need a favor. You still have that friend who’s good with underground tech shit?”

He pinches his brows together. “Yeah?”

“I need him to look into theLove Alwaysstore system and owners. Find out who contacted them recently about new designs.”

He sits on the sofa. “You know that’s illegal, right? Thought you were on a straight path?”

I shrug. “Just need to know that one thing. Make it quick and clean. It’s for Davia. Someone stole her designs, and I need the name.”

“Shoot,” he drones. “I’ll get it done for your girl. Will let you know as soon as we find something.”

“Thanks, man. I owe you.”

“It’s all good. You’ve been there for me more times than I can count. Don’t sweat it.”

“Preciate it still.”

He straightens on his feet. “So, until when is the club closed?”

“I already cleared it up. City realized it was a prank, so I’ll reopen tomorrow night.” I still need to pay that motherfucker a visit, though. For Davia’s sake, I won’t go too crazy and end up locked away from my baby. But I will make life hell for the asshole if he pulls any more bullshit.

It doesn’t take long to find out where Jamir is tonight. Walking into the waterside restaurant, I nod to the host andcontinue through the dining area, spotting him at a table with a woman. She touches his slightly swollen jaw and bruised temple like a concerned lover.

“Well, well, well.” I pull up a chair to join them.

Jamir knits his brows together. “The fuck?”

“Um, J?” his honey-toned date murmurs.

“What the hell are you doing here?” he spits. “How did you even know where I was?”

“I have connections.” I steer my focus to the lady. “How long y’all been going out?”

“Off and on for two—”

“Don’t speak to him,” Jamir grits.

I refocus on him. “Your bitch-ass pulled a pussy move ‘cause Davi wants to be with me. Yet, here you are, chilling with someone you’ve been seeing behind her back.”

“I should have you arrested for attacking me,” he seethes. “You’re a loser. I could easily destroy you.”

“She still won’t go back to you. No matter what you do to me, it won’t change the fact that Davi is over you. I see her light so much more than you ever did. She shares every part of herself with me. And I’ve memorized all the details.” The smug expression starts to melt from his face. I continue rubbing it in. “You had a rare gem, and you didn’t value her. She slipped away because you were too busy focusing on everything else instead of what was right in front of you. Five years, and you couldn’t step up and wife her. Now she’s mine, and I’ll be everything she wants in a man. Everything you failed to deliver.”

His jaw twitches, but he doesn’t say a word.

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