Page 61 of Taeja

“My dad is a lawyer, you know?”

“I have money.”

“He does, too.”

“Jerry can’t sue me because I can find all his secrets and blackmail him.” He broke away from the hug to throw an arm over her shoulder. “Do you need anything before we leave?”

Taeja glanced around her room, recommitting everything to memory. Looking toward the door, she shook her head. She wanted to start anew. With them.

“Okay,” Damon said, then led them downstairs.

She wanted to go check on her father, but Damon didn’t allow her to.

“He’s grown. He can take care of himself.”

Taeja rolled her eyes as he led them through the door. Her eyes widened when she saw a throttling bike parked in her driveway. Zain stood beside it. She didn’t know much about bikes, but this sleek, black bike suited Zain well.

She walked out of Damon’s hold toward Zain. Her eyes glistened as she admired the bike. “Can I ride with you?”

Zain didn’t hesitate to reply, “No.”

Taeja’s shoulders slumped as she looked from the bike at him. “Why not?”

“I didn’t bring my helmet, and I don’t want anything to happen to you.”

“Next time?” she asked, and he nodded. “Pinky promise?”

Zain looked at her finger before meeting her eyes. The faintest of smirks crawled onto his face when he linked their fingers. “I promise, Taeja.”

Her smile brightened as she squealed, making Zain’s smirk stretch.

Freeing their fingers, Zain mounted his bike. He nodded toward Damon. “Gowith Damon.”

Zain’s veins were pronounced as his fingers tightened around the handlebar, making her wish that was her neck instead. She almost scolded herself for thinking inappropriately at a time like this. It wasn’t her fault Zain’s sex appeal just went up by a thousand.

“Be careful, please,” she said, guilt seeping into her because Zain left home in a hurry for her and forgot one of his most important pieces of protection.

“I’m always careful.”

She rolled her eyes and stepped backward. “See you at home, Zain.”

Zain nodded and was about to ride off when Damon approached them.

“Can I have a minute with Zain, baby?” he asked.

Her brows furrowed. “In private?” she asked, and he nodded. Her eyes flickered between them, unsure why they suddenly needed privacy. Not wanting to cause an issue, she nodded and went to Damon’s car.

Now sitting in the front, she watched as they talked. She couldn’t hear what they were saying nor make out their facial expressions from here, but by their body language, it looked like they were arguing.

“Mi hope dem nuh start fight, cause me cya bother,” Taeja mumbled as she grabbed her phone and texted Liyah.

You would never believe what just happened.

But I know you’re probably still busy with Mason, so let me know when you can talk.

I can talk now. Mi run such man from mi yaad long time ago.

Me done wid him! For real this time.

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