Page 10 of Shadowed Obsession

We as a family are far from ethical, but I digress.

I’m focused on our liquor and spirits company in an effort to change this, making us more legitimate than ever. The problemis, not everyone in our family supports this dream, Darius included.

Thankfully, Regina became an integral part of this when she proposed a deal offering our liquors exclusively in her casinos, which she’d taken over recently in her husband’s absence. I’m usually paid dust whenever I talk about going legit, but I appreciate her help. While she has absolutely no interest in life outside of crime, she is an excellent businesswoman as long as you stay in her good graces.

I sip my water, eyeing my absent-minded brother until I feel Regina staring at me. She steals my gaze, tilting her head toward my assistant Brian. He’s typing away on his laptop, keys clicking rhythmically with the pounding in my chest. I nod in understanding and tap his shoulder.

We don’t discuss the family business around civilians.

“Could you give us a moment?” I ask with a smile, and he obliges, gathering his belongings and seeing himself out.

Once the door clicks behind him, my eyes narrow on Darius and I whisper-shout, “Why did you even come if you were just going to waste my time? What does Dad need to know that he couldn’t just ask me?”

I know he thinks I won’t pull this off or that I’ll fuck everything up like last time. If there’s one thing about this family, they don’t sweep a damn thing under the rug or forget.

My relationship with Gina is strained, but she’s the only one who doesn’t blame me for the sins of my ex-boyfriend, even though he stole from our family. Still, her kindness isn’t lost on me, especially after the year she’s had.

I turn my focus back to my brother, who refuses to answer me. So I try a different angle.

“What’s wrong? Why are you acting so weird?” I prod.

“Nothing is wrong,” he finally says, still avoiding eye contact.

Darius and I haven’t been like this with each other since we were teenagers. Something is bothering him. I peer under the table to check if he’s bouncing his foot, and sure enough, he is. A surefire tell when he’s nervous.

“Darius? Please tell us what’s going on,” I say, softening my tone.

With a deep exhale, he sets his phone face down on the table, granting us his full attention for the first time since his arrival.

“It’s the farm in Jersey. We’ve encountered some setbacks,” he mutters.

“What kind of setbacks?” Regina asks, sitting up in her chair. Nobody fucks with our money.

I chime in, “Let me guess, there’s a problem with us being Black and acquiring land in their town.”

He nods. “Something like that.”

My stomach drops at his confirmation.

“And you didn’t want to mention it because—” I start, before Regina cuts me off.

“You don’t like my process of elimination. Nobody does, but it’s far more effective than asking nicely,” she reminds us, twisting a pen between her fingers.

That’s what we’re calling murder now? A process of elimination?

He sighs, shaking his head. “Unfortunately, that’s not all. I think I’m being followed. But don’t trip, I got it handled.”

That doesn’t make me feel any better.

“You’re sure this isn’t one of your little girlfriends again?” I ask teasingly, grasping for a different possibility to distract the churning of my stomach.

He shakes his head before saying, “I have no reason to believe it’s any of my girls.”

“Did they follow you to Austin?” Regina asks with concern. But I recognize the calculation in her eyes. If anyone followed him here, they’re as good as dead.

“I don’t think so,” he states, sitting up straighter. “I was careful. Swapped flights and cars. Tariq can confirm.”

My eyes bounce between the two of them as Regina clicks her ballpoint pen in irritation. When provoked, she will destroy anyone who stands in her way or ours. Her unwavering loyalty is both admirable and terrifying.

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