Page 99 of Trial of Deceit

“She heard about what Sahil did to Kayon and wan’ wi know seh she don’ have nothing fi do with it,” Dimtri said.

Jediah and Reine scoffed.

“Like she did tell Kirani a no she a rob him?Like she deh wid her bodyguard?”Reine angrily asked while securing her seatbelt.

“My workers are professional,” Dimitri defended.

“Like dem boss?”Jediah asked, causing Reine to gasp.

Dimitri swallowed hard.“Raven loves her little sister.She woulda neva mek a move ’gainst yu when she know you a the only one who can give her answers ’bout wa happen a the restaurant.She wan’ meet tomorrow fi prove good intention.”

“Now she’smakingdemands?”Jediah asked with an amused chuckle.Shaking his head, he shifted his focus.“We a go drop Reine a the estate, then go wake Reka fi do some digging.”

“Wa happen a the club?”Reine asked.

“I saw Quadre Thorne,” Jediah answered.“Our nephew.”

Reine’s brows furrowed.“N-nephew?Malia have a next pickney?”

Jediah shook his head.“Not Malia.Navene.”

Reine sat more upright.“Who name Navene?”

“Kayon’s first baby mother,” Jediah replied.

Jediah watched as Raven entered the warehouse with her bodyguard beside her.She was dressed in a white pencil skirt suit and pink heels.The sun’s radiant light behind her paired with her poised stature reminded Jediah of a woman he looked up to many years ago.

As she stopped a few feet before Jediah, Raven said, “Let’s talk business.”

“No pleasantries?”Jediah asked, raising his brow.

“Good day, Mr.Richardson.”

“I’m doing you a favor by meeting you.You don’t just show up and make demands, Mrs.Saint.”

“I just go by Raven now.”

His eyes darted to the bodyguard, who rolled his shoulders.“My point stands.”

“Better than me showing up to waste your time, no?”Raven asked.

Jediah didn’t reply.He reached within his jacket and pulled out his travel pack of cigars.He lit one, then waved a hand for her to speak.Before she could begin, he turned his back.His eyes scanned the main room of the warehouse, settling on the guards stationed in different corners.He noticed how Dimitri avoided looking in his direction.Knowing Dimitri noticed his worker’s sudden tension, Jediah smirked.He still didn’t approve of the relationship between Dimitri and his sister, but he enjoyed Dimitri’s discomfiture.

Discomfort meant Dimitri was recovering from the torture in the dungeon.

Jediah was glad for that.

“I’m crawling my way to the top.I managed to overthrow a powerful man.My hu—Kiranihas resources, but he’s yet to meet with you because you don’t concern yourself with our gang wars unless it disrupts the money flow,” Raven said, waiting a few seconds for a reaction that didn’t come.Raven continued, “I don’t want an enemy out of you, Jediah.You’re stronger.Powerful.The perfect ally I need on my side.But, if Kiranievercomes to you and you choose his side over mine, then you’re just in my way.”

Jediah resisted the urge to chuckle.Smoothing out his expression, he turned around.“Is that a threat,Mrs.Saint?”

Raven’s jaw ticked at the use of the name before she shook her head.“No.I’m not stupid, but I have to be realistic.I escaped two controlling men, and I want the same for my sister.My father might have killed yours and said it was for Acacia, but we both know that’s a lie.He doesn’t care about her, but I do.She’s all I have, and one day when I’m in a position to bring something valuable to the table, I will negotiate for Acacia’s freedom.”

“Acacia is gone,” Jediah said.“You need to give it up.”

“But my sister isn’t dead.She can’t be,” Raven said, her voice cracking.

The bodyguard reached toward Raven’s shoulder.She took a step away before he could touch her.He gulped hard as he lowered his hand.

---