Page 18 of The Millionaire Mortician
She nodded with a bright smile and started to head for the exit.
We followed her to the office, which wasn’t that far away from the spot. Both Daija and I parked, then headed inside to get everything started. The realtor made a quick phone call to the property owner to finalize the deal, then printed out all the necessary paperwork.
After Daija signed, I signed where she pointed. My name got stamped on every line that mattered. Daija sat close to me, brushing her hand over my thigh under the table, whispering little jokes only I could hear. I kept my face neutral, but inside I felt that weight. She was tying herself to me in ways money couldn’t measure.
With everything squared away, we shook hands with the realtor and made our exit until the next time we had to meet.
Stepping outside onto the pavement, we watched our surroundings as usual before walking Daija to her car.
She got on her tiptoes and reached up for a kiss. “Thank you, baby.”
I just nodded. There wasn’t a need to say more. She knew what it was.
Once Daija was safely in her car, I slid back into my driver’s seat. As I started up my engine, my phone buzzed. It was Maverick.
Mav: Where you at?
Me: Heading to the funeral home.
His response came back before I had even placed the car in drive.
Mav: Nah, change route. Come to the dealership. M’s pulling up to meet with us.
I stared at the screen for a moment, then slipped the phone face down on the console. M meant Mallo, which was our plug. Whatever had him wanting to meet with us had to be important, especially if it was last-minute. Plus, I didn’t mind seeing him. I had some questions about his competitor.
Finally, putting the car in drive, I pulled away from the curb to make my way to Mav’s dealership.
As I crossedthe Manhattan Bridge back into Brooklyn, I made my way toward the dealership. When I arrived, the gate automatically opened as soon as security recognized me. I parked, got out, and headed inside to find Mav.
Maverick’s office door was wide open. He was leaning back in his chair with his phone in one hand, wearing a calm grin. Whatever he was reading or looking at amused him.
“Yo,” I announced myself as I walked in the door.
He dropped his phone and stood up. “Bro,” he mentioned.
We dapped each other up with a firm slap and pull in.
“What’s the word? What was yo’ ass doin’?” Mav questioned as he sat back in his seat, and I plopped down on the couch.
“I was with Daija. She settled on a spot in Tribeca,” I informed him.
One thing I admired about her was that whatever she put her mind to, she was going to get it. We spoke about her returning to work only a week and some change before, and already we signed for her new place of business to get active.
He raised his brows. “She stamped it?”
“Facts. She’s locked all the way in. She even put me on the paperwork.”
A smirk tugged at his lips. “That’s big, bro. Real big. You gon’ use it to wash the funds or nah?”
“Nah, that’s all her,” I confirmed.
Before I could say more, the office door opened wider. Mallo slid in with a fresh linen shirt, and his jewelry was light but loud enough if you knew what you were looking at. Mallo was a mix of black and Hispanic. He had that permanent smoothness, the type that made people trust him even when they shouldn’t.
“My brothers,” he greeted, clapping his hands together, then dapping both of us up. “Every time I sit with y’all, I feel like the game is too easy. There’s no drama or bullshit, just business.”
I nodded once because compliments didn’t move me, but I heard him.
Maverick leaned forward on his desk. “If that’s the case, what’s good with you callin’ this meetin’ then?”
