Chapter 16
I stood at the head of the conference room, looking at my team of sixteen employees.
They had just finished filling out their employment packets, and I went over everyone’s job positions for the upcoming grand opening.
My COO, Calvin Richards, stood beside me, and our CFO, Katima Walsh, stood on the other side of me as we wrapped up the meeting.
“Does anyone have any questions?” I asked. They all shook their heads and uttered “no’s” as expected. “Okay. Let’s go see your new offices and have some lunch. I’m starving.”
“I second that!” Cal countered as we laughed.
We all filed out of the boardroom, and I smiled, feeling a feeling of triumph wash over me.
In these moments, I thought of my father and how I wished he were here to see me.
The man stayed on my ass once I told him what I wanted to be when I grew up.
He had me in all kinds of art and architectural classes, and encouraged me to go to college to learn about business.
It was how I was able to get Dame to obtain his degree during those times that he would visit me.
I loved what I did, and I already had the vision of how I was going to make this company flourish.
“I’m so excited about the grand opening. We’re already getting calls, via my assistant, from a few politicians and business owners,” Katima said as we walked ahead toward the elevators.
“That’s what’s up. I hope y’all are ready for the influx of contracts we’re about to get. Saleem has been advertising this grand opening for months now.”
“I’m more than ready; the team is ready, too, and the building is top-tier. Can’t wait to get started. How’s the house coming along?” Calvin asked me.
“It’s almost done. They just have to put in the windows, varnish the floors, and wire it up. I can’t wait to see what my little hittas accomplished,” I said loud enough for the team of seven builders I hired to hear me.
“You’re going to flip out when you see it, boss man!” Brandon exclaimed.
“I hope so.”
My phone buzzed in the jacket of my suit pocket.
I retrieved it, seeing Jela’s name on the screen.
My heart did some funny shit because I missed her already.
We hadn’t spoken since we had sex last night, or this morning, rather.
I had been briefing my team and getting them set up.
I hadn’t had a chance to call and check on her.
But now that the meeting was over, I had a little time to kick it with her via phone call.
My head was still reeling from our night together. She had been on my mind all morning, with me wondering how she was doing. How did she feel? Was she okay? Did she need anything? Did she and Chunks eat already?
Shit, Jela’s overall aura exuded an energy I had never seen or felt before. Not to mention her sex exceeded my expectations.
Boring my fucking ass.
Jela had that “crash out” pussy.
That “late-night creep” pussy.
That “pull up to her crib if she don’t answer a nigga’s calls” pussy.
I could see myself becoming increasingly unhinged behind her pussy. It’s why my brother was obsessed, and now I was no better.
Her pussy had to be the main reason Dame had lost all his screws. I still couldn’t believe he had essentially kidnapped Jela, was raping her, and physically abusing her.
I would never do any of those things, but I could see why he was crashing out behind her.
Damn. I can’t wait to get back to her.
“Calvin, Katima… would you guys mind showing everyone to their respective places? I’ll meet you all downstairs.”
“Sure thing. Let’s roll, gang!” Everyone filed onto the elevators as I headed to my office while taking her call.
“Good morning, Miss Jela.”
“Good morning. I didn’t call at a bad time, did I?”
“You called at the perfect time. How are you?”
She cleared her throat before she spoke, “Well, I’m a little sore, but I’ll manage.”
I couldn’t stop the smile that graced my face. “Aside from the soreness, how do you feel mentally?”
“Honestly?”
“That’s all I want.”
“Afraid.”
“Of what?”
“Of what we started. I don’t want to think this is more than what it is. You letting me stay here and having the car is nice, but I’m scared of what this all means.”
“What do you think it means?” I leaned against my desk, awaiting her answer.
“I don’t know, and that’s the problem. We’ve only known each other for a couple of weeks.”
“Doesn’t feel that way to me. But I’m on whatever you're on, Jela. I’m on your time. Whatever you want this to be between us, that's what it’ll be.”
“Do you regret what happened?”
“Honest?”
“Yes.”
“Not in the slightest.” I chuckled, but she whined in reply.
“He’s your brother…”
I felt myself getting annoyed by her continuous reminder of that. I understood what it looked like, but I didn’t give a fuck about it. My brother mishandled her, and although it was never my intention to step in his shoes, the shit was inevitable from the moment we locked eyes.
She deserved to be treated with respect.
She was a Black woman amongst other Black women who had given birth to men like me.
Just from that logic alone, she was to be upheld unless given a reason not to be.
Just by meeting her family, I could tell she was raised to have morals.
I wasn’t trying to take that away from her, but this sexual chemistry between us had been festering since we laid eyes on one another.
Her meeting my brother was unfortunate because he took her out of her habitat and made her his slave, his prisoner.
Damien knew what he had in Jela. He was threatened by her intelligence and beauty, which resulted in him doing foolish shit to mishandle her.
I hated how conflicted she was because I knew chicks who were ruthless when getting their lick back.
However, Jela wasn't one of those women, and I respected that shit so much more.
“Answer the FaceTime. I want to see you.” I clicked the camera icon and waited for her to come into view.
When it connected, I felt butterflies swarming in my stomach. Jela’s morning, afternoon, and night face was breathtaking. God took His time when He was creating her. She was lying back on the pillows in a relaxed state, and I loved that she was comfortable.
I shook from my thirsty moment and asked, “Question?”
“Sure.”
“Do you love my brother?”
“Not anymore,” she voiced, sadly.
“Do you want to be with him?”
“Hell no.”
“Then follow your heart, baby. I’ve been looking for my queen for almost five years now.
I’ve been waiting for someone I could build and bond with.
I don’t know if that's you, Jela, but what I do know is that I would love to explore that possibility with you. Don’t be afraid of wanting to fuck with me.
I promise… you're in the safest arms with me. You and Chunks make my days go by a little smoother and fill that lonely void I had been missing for a long time.”
She smiled. “We do?”
“Fuck, yes. And now that you gave me that treasure between your legs, I don’t know if I want to go back to just being friends with you.”
She laughed. “When were we ever friends?”
“The moment I rescued you from the belly of the beast.”
She was silent for a moment, then giggled. “Is it not going to be weird if we were to be more than friends? By you being Scottlyn’s uncle, that puts us at an impasse, doesn’t it?”
“No, it doesn’t. I don’t mind being her uncle-daddy.” We laughed. “Besides, she’s a baby. She won’t know the difference right now.”
“I don’t want to keep her from her father, but I know it’s the best decision right now. I really hate that it has to be this way because I know he loves her.”
“Not enough to respect her mother.”
“True. Well, I don’t want to keep you. Thank you for the money and car. I promise, once I get on my feet, I’m going to—”
“You’re not going to do anything for me, love. I gave you those things because I wanted to. Also, because that pussy and mouth got me sat.”
“Oh my God!” Her head fell back in glee, and I smiled watching her.
“Enjoy your day, Jela. Take my baby niece on a shopping spree but be careful. When I come back Friday, I’m going to put a security detail on you and baby girl.”
“I hate this.”
“I know, but it’s only temporary. Since we have to do long-distance, I need you protected when I’m not there. Once the grand opening is over, I’m going to be less available to come up.”
She frowned. “For how long?”
“I’m not sure, but don’t worry. You’re not too far away for me to come to you. I don’t want you coming back here any time soon.”
She rubbed her eyes and sighed. “Okay. Enjoy the rest of your morning. Twenty grand is a lot, Truce. I’m only going to spend a quarter of that.”
“Do what you will with it. It’s yours.”
“Okay. I’ll see you Friday.”
“See you Friday, baby.” I disconnected the line and rubbed my temples.
I already knew Dame was somewhere lurking and looking for Jela.
With my luck, he’ll think she was still in Muskegon.
However, that was wishful thinking since her people lived in Rochester.
I knew if he came up empty here, he was certainly going to Rochester to find her.
The only option and plan would be to move Jela’s moms. I wasn't sure how that would work out, but I was going to have her run it by them to be sure his search would turn up empty in Detroit.
Until then, I was going to meet with Law to hire his security team for them.
I comprehended that my brother wasn't playing with a full deck now. If he finds out that I have Jela, I’m going to have to revert to my old ways to match the energy I knew his ass was going to bring.