Page 51 of Finding You

As they all tossed ideas around, Zion was even more curious about Maximus’s motives. More than anything, he was still wondering how far the guy would go to support his claim that the twins were his. Zion debated on getting security for the kids and Raven, but no way would Maximus try to cause them harm or kidnap them.

Zion was on to him, and he’d be the first person questioned if anything happened to his kids. Besides, he had too much to lose to do something as stupid as kidnapping. Still, Zion planned to keep tabs on Raven and the kids, the most important people in his world.

After Wiz promised to have something for him within the next day or two, the tension in Zion’s shoulders eased.

“I appreciate what you guys are doing to help us. Now, for the important question. How much is all this going to cost me?” Zion didn’t care what it would cost if it meant getting Maximus out of Raven’s life.

As for Christopher, though, Zion hoped the old man and Raven could still have a relationship. She’d been devastated the other day when he didn’t outright tell her he believed her. Zion suspected he did. The man didn’t become a multi-millionaire by being stupid. Then again, his grandson was a millionaire also, and it did nothing for his common sense.

Wiz pointed at Malik with his ink pen. “Shoot your shot,” he said, and Zion glanced between the two, wondering what they were talking about.

Malik cast a wicked grin Zion’s way, and Zion narrowed his eyes at the big man. He had a feeling whatever was coming next, he wasn’t going to like.

“Remember how I’ve been trying to get you and Lynix to leave the dark side and follow the light to Supreme Security?”

Zion laughed at the way he put it, and said, “How can I forget? You only throw it in my face every time I do a job for you. First with the fat pay checks, and then you rub it in my face by sending me stupid newspaper articles that highlight how much crime is on Chicago streets.”

Malik shrugged nonchalantly. “What can I say? I’m persistent.”

“You know, if you were one of our employees, what we’re doing for you would be a part of the benefits package,” Wiz said, and Zion chuckled.

“You guys are too much,” he said before turning serious. “But since Raven and the kids have come into my life, I have been thinking about making a career change. I need a job that is not as risky, and one that will allow me to spend more time with them. So,” Zion leaned back in his chair and steepled his fingers before looking at them pointedly, “make me an offer I can’t refuse.”

Chapter Twenty-Four

“Baby, you have to go,” Zion said through the phone line while Raven was changing Zanaya’s diaper. He had left for work a few hours ago and was currently on a five-minute break. “Besides, you need and deserve some pampering. Meet them at the spa.”

“You pamper me enough. I don’t have to go and let some other guy rub my back or whatever the plan is for today.”

“Go,” he insisted. “Just make sure the masseuse doesn’t get too handsy. Otherwise, I’m going to get handsy with him or her, and it won’t be for pleasure.”

Raven rolled her eyes. The other day, his sister Cree had called and invited her to a spa day with her and her sisters. At first, Raven thought Zion had put his siblings up to this, but he insisted he hadn’t. Supposedly, Cree treated her sisters to a day at the spa a few times a year, and now she was including Raven.

“Also, if she’s paying, you gotta go,” Zion said while munching on something crunchy. “Not that she’s cheap or anything, but she’s serious about her money. She doesn’t just spend it on anybody, but when she does, she goes all out. Trust me when I say, you want to get in on this.

“Besides, you can’t cancel on her at the last minute. She’s expecting you to show up in a couple of hours. If you don’t, she will hunt you down and literally carry you to the spa.”

Raven started laughing. “You make her sound scary.”

Raven had met his second oldest sibling a couple of times, but she hadn’t spent any length of time with her. Not like she had with Dorian and Nyla. With them, she’d had lunch a couple of times and had even gone on a mini-shopping trip to one of the malls. That didn’t include Cree and Essence. It could be the age difference since she was closer in age to the two younger sisters. Or it could be because Cree was a high-powered entertainment attorney, and Raven was sure they didn’t have anything in common.

“Hell, she is scary,” Zion said on a snort. “Growing up, she was the only one of my siblings who my friends were afraid of. However, with that said, Cree would kill for family. She feels it’s okay if she gives us a hard time, but she draws the line if anyone else messes with us. In some ways, she’s like the big, older brother I never had.”

Raven laughed along with him, wondering what Cree would think if she heard him talking about her like this. They seemed to have a good relationship, but his sister hadn’t been around much. So Raven wasn’t really sure.

“She’s also loyal,” Zion continued. “She might be tough to deal with sometimes, only because she wants us to be our best, but she’s there when any of us need her, and now that includes you too.”

“She doesn’t even know me,” Raven shot back, still having second thoughts about hanging out with the sisters.

“She knows you better than you probably think she does, and before you try to come up with another excuse, think about my mother. She and Aunt GiGi are looking forward to keepingthe kids this afternoon. You wouldn’t want to disappoint them, would you?”

Raven’s shoulders sagged. He was right. Virginia had already called to find out what time Raven was dropping off the babies.

“Fine. I’ll go.”

“And you’re going to have a great time. Don’t worry about picking up the kids later. I’ll get them when I get off work.”

They talked a few more minutes before disconnecting.

---