Page 81 of Love & Vendettas

“Why?”

“Spotted him leaving Essence’s office yesterday.”

“Why the fuck I’m just now hearing about it?”

“You were with the family yesterday, and I told you everybody else was around this morning. Didn’t want to kick it with you then. This is the first chance we’ve had to talk.”

Fury rolls through my veins because I don’t trust that bitch, and everyone knows it.

“Let me find out that nigga in collusion with that bitch, and I’ma fuck up his life!” I roar.

Parker nods. “Yeah, I’ll keep looking into it, but it’s looking like him more and more. Also found out that a cousin of his is on the police force. Your boy might’ve been the one who dropped a dime on you. After all, he is the one who works on your systems. It would’ve been easy for him to hack into their database and send files their way about what’s going on in your business.”

My fists and jaws are clenched so tightly that they both hurt. I feel pain and fire blazing throughout my body. But I can’t make a move off emotion alone. This could be why Damascus wanted to meet with me.

“Listen, get me some proof before I move on this thing, Parker. You feel me?”

“Yeah.”

“A’ight. I’ll holler at you later. I’m about to roll out with Ghalen.”

“Okay, Z. Watch yourself out in these streets,” he warns, dapping me up and looking over my shoulder.

My phone rings. A smile tilts my lips when I see that it’s Bayleigh.

“Hey, baby.”

“Hey, sugar. I know that we’re keeping a low profile, but do you think you can pick up some Ricci’s on the way home? I have a taste for Italian tonight, and I don’t feel like cooking. And since we can’t go out . . . ”

“Anything for you, baby.”

“Thanks, sweetheart.”

“Will I be rewarded for going off the beaten path?”

“Of course. I’m about to get in the shower now. I want to get it all prepped for you.”

“Damn, woman. You keep my dick at attention.”

“Just doing my job, sir,” she replies with a sweet giggle.

I can’t wait to head home. We chat a little longer before I turn back to see Parker’s car pulling out of the lot across the street.

“All right, keep it wet and warm. I’ll be there shortly.”

“Love you, baby.”

“I love you the most, Bay.”

“You ready?” Ghalen asks, stepping out of the building as soon as I end the call.

“Yeah. Let me run back up there and grab my laptop. I’ll be right back.”

“A’ight. I’ma go grab the SUV from across the lot.”

Our parking lot is getting restriped and repaved this week, so everyone is parking in the lot across the street. My car is the only one remaining in the lot since everyone else has left for the day.

Nodding, I head back into the building to grab my laptop. I hadn’t planned on doing any work from home tonight, but with this new information, I have to get focused. I know if I leave my laptop, I won’t be able to work from home because the files on my office work laptop aren’t the same as the ones on my home work laptop.

---