Page 106 of Shadowed Obsession

“Come for a drive with me.”

“No thanks, I’m about to head home,” I grumble, defeated, grabbing my clutch.

“I wasn’t asking. C’mon,” she orders, motioning to the door.

Never mind then.

“Fine,” I resign, punching in the code to lock up as I follow her into the hall.

She trails me through the distillery, our clacking heels echoing on the concrete as we exit.

I settle into the luxury sedan, buckle my seatbelt, and sulk in my seat.

Not at all how I imagined my night to go.

She taps the push to start before backing out of the reserved parking space, an uncomfortable silence accompanying us on the drive.

I have no idea where she’s dragging me to, but I can guarantee that we’re both overdressed.

“We need to air everything out between us,” she finally says.

No we don’t.

“There’s nothing to discuss, Gi. What’s done is done,” I huff as I look out the window.

“I disagree, but since you want to act like that. I got something for you. Bet.”

She unlocks her phone, tapping that damn keyboard again and it halts.

Suddenly, Aretha Franklin’s “I Say A Little Prayer For You” fills the space, and I roll my eyes.

“Turn it off, Gina,” I beg, blinking away tears.

“Nope, I’m waving my white flag, Dee. You know the rules. What did Ace always say?”

Cici used to turn this song on every time we fought as kids. It was a tradition she held with Ace. When they had their first fight as boyfriend and girlfriend, he walked off to start the record player and this was his surrender song.

“Ace said that nobody can be angry when Aretha sings,” I sigh.

“The only man who’s been right, ever.”

She taps her hands on the steering wheel singing the lyrics animatedly, holding her free hand out to me like a microphone for me to join.

We sing along out loud as we ride through the dimly lit city streets, and I realize that I haven’t had this much fun with her in years.

The song fades, and she says, “I’m sorry, Dee. I should’ve talked to you about it first.”

I scoff out my response. “You would’ve done it anyway, regardless of what I said.”

“I won’t lie to you. I would’ve done it anyway, but I am sorry that I hurt you in the process.”

At least she’s being honest.

“Once I learned that he wasn’t only stealing from Divin, but the casinos, too, he became my problem, and I had to be the one to handle it. If I let shit slide, my credibility would’ve been questioned. I couldn’t let a fucking thief who mistreated you live another day. Nobody crosses a Klarke and lives to tell the tale. Word is bond.”

“I know.”

“Cidro not being here leaves us vulnerable, and any wrong move puts my family in danger, even something as minuscule as letting Lawrence live. I don’t regret what I did or expect you to forgive me, but you deserved an apology a long time ago. I’m sorry, Dee.”

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