Chapter 17 #3
Pavia smirked and returned the favor, looking Patterson up and down, but with a little more discontent than he expressed.
Seconds later Pavia’s face morphed into a cocky grin.
“I am Christopher Pavia. One of the best criminal attorneys in Miami. I’m undefeated when it comes to cases of injustice such as what I’m sure that my client is experiencing but I’ll verify that here in just a moment.
Now get the fuck out so I can speak with him privately. ”
“Who the hell do—"
“Patterson, out. Let him speak with his client.” The lieutenant stated once more but with unmatched urgency which caused Patterson to send a glare his way before he retreated.
The second the door closed, Pavia reached into his pocket and handed over a business card to East, placing it down on the table in front of him.
East’s eyes dropped to it before he lifted them again, looking to Pavia for more clarity.
“Cabo sent me. He’s outside in the car. I thought it best that he not come inside.”
East’s brow dipped in, expressing more confusion. Navi had left before he was arrested and there was no way Joi knew him. That meant Cabo potentially had him watched.
“How the fuck he know I’m here?”
With no deviation from the business-focused look on his face, Pavia explained.
“To my understanding, the young lady you’re friends with is the niece of Ms. Ava Calhoun. Joi, I think her name is, called her aunt to ask for help after you were arrested. When Cabo realized it was you, I was on his private jet accompanying him here to handle this.”
East was relieved and annoyed at the same time. Cabo wasn’t watching him, however, yet again, letting Joi into his life complicated things. East stood firmly on being his own man. That meant not being in debt to anyone. This situation placed him in debt.
“How do I get out of here? The charge is bullshit. He knows I didn’t do it.”
“Understood and already handled. They’re preparing to release you now. I only wanted to speak with you privately while we waited so I could let you know that by the end of the day tomorrow it will be like this never happened.”
“They did the full process,” East stated, considering the events leading up to him being placed in this room.
“Doesn’t matter. I get paid a lot of money to make things happen, which is why I give you my guarantee that by the end of the day tomorrow Eastland Joseph will not appear in any search provided by their systems.”
Pavia slipped his hands into the pockets of his tailored pants.
All he knew of East was what Cabo handed over in the file he kept on him.
It was personal information, bank statements, titles to properties, a copy of his license, social security card, and birth certificate.
Information that was only used as a reference for Cabo to have a better understanding of who his client was.
It was something he kept on anyone he dealt with on a consistent basis and nothing he would ever use against them unless given a reason.
East had proven he would never give Cabo reason.
“I assume you didn’t say much other than to present your innocence on the matter.”
East laughed arrogantly before his eyes lifted to Pavia. The fact that another man was standing over him while he was cuffed to a table annoyed him. When their eyes met, and East didn’t speak, Pavia had his answer.
“Very good. I assumed I wouldn’t have that issue with your case based on the information Cabo provided me about you.
Give me about an hour and I’ll have you out of here.
I need to tie up a few loose ends. I’m requesting Patterson not be allowed in here while we’re waiting. I assume you don’t object.”
Again, East only provided a look that had Pavia grinning. “Okay, then. Sit tight and I'll be back when it’s time for you to walk out of here.”
East lifted his free hand and pushed it down his face. One more hour was an hour too long but there wasn’t a damn thing he could do about it. So he waited.
As promised, forty-five minutes later, East was walking out the doors of the precinct a free man with Pavia by his side.
Pavia pointed to the all-white Bentley parked across the street waiting with a black on black Yukon behind it.
Once they both had eyes on the vehicle, Pavia started in that direction.
East did the same, and when they reached the vehicle, the driver stepped out, opened the rear door, and Cabo stepped out.
“We all set in there?”
“Yes, sir. I’ll follow up tomorrow just to be sure, but as of now it’s handled.”
Cabo extended a hand to Pavia and the two men shook. “Thanks again. I know you get tired of this last-minute shit.” Cabo grinned and Pavia did as well.
“No more than you get tired of paying me for it.”
Cabo chuckled and nodded before Pavia extended a hand to East. “I wish I could say it was a pleasure meeting you but under the circumstances…” He smirked.
East shook his hand and nodded.
“This for me?”
Cabo nodded and Pavia turned on his heels to leave. “Until next time, gentlemen.”
Moments later, Pavia was in the SUV, which pulled off immediately after.
“Let’s go. I’ve been instructed to bring you to my lady right after I got you released.”
East’s entire face hardened.
“Nah, I’m good. I have shit to do.”
Cabo chuckled and looked him right in the eyes.
“East, get in the car. I know you’re not accustomed to anyone telling you what to do.
It’s one of the qualities in you I value the most, so I’m asking as a courtesy.
One man to another, my lady has requested to speak with you and yours is there with her. ”
East’s face was tight again, causing Cabo to push out a deep breath. “Please, just appease me.”
The night had been long and East was exhausted.
He was just ready to shower and get in his bed.
The problem was that no matter what had gone down, including him being locked up for a few hours, East wanted Joi in his bed with him.
He also needed to be around her after what Reg had done.
So his need to make sure she was good outweighed his anger for her being the reason behind the last few hours being so terribly fucked up.
After both men were in the car. Cabo looked over at East with a slow smile. “So, it appears we have more in common than either of us thought.”
The look East gave had Cabo further exhaling.
“Ava and Joi. I’m sure you weren’t aware that they were related, as I wasn’t aware that you were involved with Joi.”
East had never met Ava but knew of her through Cabo mentioning her name. It totally fucked with his head that Ava was the aunt Joi was so close to, the one who raised her.
“Involved,” East snorted out, considering Cabo’s wording.
Cabo grinned and nodded. “She called Ava the second Patterson took you away. She was extremely worried and didn’t know what to do.
You may not be involved but she is. Which leads me to this: If she’s just another means to pleasure for you then find another resource.
Joi is important to Ava so she’s important to me.
I respect you but you can’t fuck over a woman my lady loves like her own child. I can’t have that.”
East looked at Cabo unbothered. “You don’t get to speak on anything that concerns me or who I deal with. If it’s not a business transaction then it’s not your fucking business.”
Cabo and East maintained strong eye contact with neither of them showing signs of weakness.
Any other person who spoke to Cabo in the manner East had just done would likely already have a bullet in their head, but Cabo liked East, a lot.
He also knew his lady would have him by the balls if he didn’t show up with East alive and well.
“You’re right, but as a courtesy, I’m asking. You’re a man just like me. We think alike. I understand asking you to handle Joi with care is crossing lines but I’m asking. I don’t ask for shit, East, neither do you, so I’m sure you understand the value in that.”
Cabo removed his phone and checked the message he had from Ava asking where they were. He replied that they were on the way then allowed his head to meet the back of the seat and closed his eyes.
“How much for the lawyer?”
Cabo lifted his head again and gave East his attention. “A little under twenty grand for the services he provided and his accommodations while doing so. Which is too fucking much considering I pay him a monthly retainer, but he’s worth every penny.”
“I’ll get that to you.”
“I’m not asking for your money, East.” Disapproval laced Cabo’s tone and was etched on his face.
“I don’t like owing people. You said we’re a lot alike so I’m sure you understand that. I’ll get the money to you.”
Cabo chuckled and shook his head. “Apparently we’re as close to family as we can be. I don’t want your money. Family looks out for their own. Keep it. Spend it on your lady. Those bruises are pretty bad.”
“I didn’t do that shit,” East barked at him defensively.
“I know, but it doesn’t mean you won’t want to make it right, which includes making her feel better and handling the person who did it.
” Cabo offered East a knowing look before he shut his eyes and allowed his head to fall back again.
That was the end of the conversation. East mulled over Cabo’s words while Cabo tried to steal a minute of rest. He was exhausted and ready to head back to Miami.
Right after Ava got her conversation with East, that was exactly what he planned to do.