Page 153 of Shâhzâdeh

“Y’all—”

Instead of being afraid, Vincent laughed, and his friend pulled a gun.

“You pull it you use it.” Quentin issued the warning with ease like there wasn’t a whole gun being pointed his way.

“Playboy, if you want to live to fight another day take that shit off my boy.” His friend was coming to his defense so vehemently I wondered if he was his bodyguard. The man had to be nearly as tall as Yacouba, if not taller with a slightly smaller build.

“Your boy in here smelling like a rat. Like he coming at my boss, who he knows is married, like he doesn’t value his head being attached to his spine. He can’t even keep his eyes off her.” Navi didn’t back down and I wondered if Xerxes was telling her to stay here because I needed a sitter.

“You crazy as hell girl, When this shit is done let me get your number.” Vincent was still flirting with Navi, trying to lessen the pressure in the room while his friend was still unmoved.

Navi stood slowly her gun still trained on Vincent. “I don’t fuck with corpses. You got the wrong bitch if you think I’m into necrophilia.”

His friend chuckled like he wasn’t able to be serious despite the inherent danger he was in. “Damn, she threatening your life too easily, Vincent.”

Vincent was still smiling and he glanced at Quentin like he was going to call everything down. “I see that. Quentin, we do business together, but I need you to put this shit down. I vouch for his ass. If you trust me—”

This was the first I’d heard of Quentin doing business with anyone and now I had even more questions. “Plenty people been set up by their mans. You sure he good? It comes out of your bloodline if he ain’t.” And now Quentin was threatening to kill this man’s family like nobody’s business.

“On my mama.”

Quentin sucked his teeth like he was thoroughly irritated. “You really would put Miss Cheryl in the middle of some bullshit like this.”

“We made a joke months ago that the last owner was using this place to launder money because the rent was so high but the amenities weren’t on par. That’s it that’s all.” I was waving my hands in front of everyone to get their attention. There was a whole glass wall behind them and I prayed no one came into the building and saw this.

“His ass would know plenty about money laundering. Don’t let him fool you, Vanya.” Quentin was laughing but that gun didn’t waiver.

“Damn and you talking about my business like that?” Vincent wasn’t denying it and now I was looking at him funny.

“If I trusted them enough to implicate myself, you should know it’s good.” Quentin shrugged again but didn’t put his gun down.

“But his word on me ain’t sufficient?” His friend spoke up from behind him like this was the time to remind everyone that he was there.

“I don’t know you so, nah.” Quentin’s eyes were narrowed on him and I could see that he still wasn’t going to relax.

“Fair enough. My name is Ahmad Thornton.”

“Ahmad Thornton? I’m supposed to be showing you a house soon.” I was even now more pissed that we’d made this type of impression on this man.

“That’s why I was bringing him in here when I saw you walk in the building. I wasn’t just gone holla at you like I ain’t have manners.”

“No, you’re fine. I’m sorry Mr. Thornton, welcome to Charlotte.” I stuck my hand out toward him unbothered that none of them had put their weapons down.

“She really acting like all this shit is fine.” Mr. Thornton was looking at Vincent like my behavior was the odd one out of the five of us.

“I mean hanging with Quentin’s ass she ain’t got no choice. We good?” He looked at Quentin who nodded his head before lowering his gun.

“You can still get shot playing with me, though.”

Vincent nodded at Quentin’s threat with a smile. “Noted.”

“I’m Vanya Cannon. I don’t have every listing pulled, but I planned to send you over a preliminary listing of homes and condos today.” I reached into my tote bag and pulled up my tablet.

“He was going to check out my spot to see how he felt about buying or renting. Either way, it would be money in your pocket.” Vincent was explaining their presence and I appreciated him thinking of me.

“Oh, I hadn’t realized you might be more focused on renting.” I felt as though I’d missed something and I hated to think my joy had me slacking at work.

“Why not?”

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