Chapter 17 #2
Everything I thought I knew about, well, everything, now seemed challengeable. The rules that I lived by all seemed … open to doubt. And that wasn’t possible.
Those were the things that made me Cane Alexander. Those were the guidelines that kept me strong, kept me focused, kept me on the path that led to where I wanted to be.
Didn’t they?
Didn’t I want an uncomplicated life? Didn’t I want to work hard during the day and play however I felt like it at night? Didn’t I enjoy a different girl in my bed a few times a week?
Hell yeah, I do.
Right?
I scratched my head roughly, my arms aching from working out so long.
I ignored a text from Miriam last night. Worse yet, I wasn’t even interested. What the fuck is wrong with me?
This thing with Jada, whatever it was, was ruining my life.
Or was it making it better?
Fuck if I knew.
All I did know was that things between Jada and I had changed.
The illusion of friendship that we had been able to navigate through was no more.
There could now be no casual flirting, no more wondering, “what would happen if …” I had willingly and enthusiastically crossed that line, and there was no going back.
I just wasn’t sure how to go forward, either.
This is why you don’t do dumb shit like this. You should be sport-fucking someone right now.
Before the sun came up on Friday morning, only hours after leaving Jada sleeping, I called Max and told him I was going to Payson and that he needed to keep track of everything for a couple of days.
I went to my cabin up there, had some beers, tried to organize my brain, and came back late Sunday night. The only contact I had with the outside world had been with Max to ensure that the Queen Creek job stayed on track … and that Simon hadn’t been around.
Max, as always, had taken care of everything. I paid him well, of course, but his loyalty was worth more than I could ever pay him. Since he’d hooked up with Kari, Max had changed for the better. He was more loyal, more focused, more serious. I guessed that was what happened when you fell in love.
Is that happening to me, and I just can’t see it?
No. No, it wasn’t. I was going to keep my balls. As much as I liked, possibly really liked, Jada Stanley, I wasn’t about to get involved.
I didn’t have it in me.
And Jada wasn’t going to be a fuck buddy. I didn’t want to see the look in her eyes at a certain point. Namely the point when I moved on.
That would happen.
And that was what it all boiled down to. I had to be able to leave her behind. I had laid everything out there once before and learned a few very valuable lessons.
I had adjusted my game after that.
There was no room in my life for doing something stupid like falling in love. Love was for the weak, for the fools of the world who couldn’t make it on their own. That was if it really even existed at all.
I would not be getting sucked in to a relationship with Jada Stanley or anyone else. But if Powers wasn’t going to leave her alone, I would have to take matters into my own hands.
Picking up my phone again, I dialed the main office number to Stanley Real Estate. Mrs. Jewell picked up promptly.
“Hi, Alice. This is Cane Alexander. Is there any chance Mr. Stanley is in?”
“Oh, hello, Cane. Yes, I think he’s still around. Can you hold for a second?”
“Sure.” I watched the shadows play against the wall while I waited for Thomas to pick up. I considered what angle to take with him.
“Thomas Stanley.”
“Hi, Thomas. This is Cane Alexander.”
“Well, hello. It is nice to finally talk to you. I hope everything is going all right with your property.”
I smiled. “Yes. Jada has done an excellent job. I’m very happy with her performance.”
If he only knew …
“That’s great. What can I do for you, Cane?”
I stood and paced the room. “There is a prospective buyer on Solomon Place. His name is Simon Powers.”
“Yes. I heard he made an offer today.”
“That’s right. And as happy as I am with the job Jada has done, Mr. Stanley, I would appreciate it if you would reassign another real estate agent to work with Mr. Powers.”
“May I ask why?”
“Of course.” I paused, considering my next words carefully. “This decision has nothing to do with Jada, except her safety.”
“Please, go on.”
“I have known Simon for a number of years. We have a history together, and he’s never been a nice guy.
My sources are telling me that he is involved in some nefarious activities.
Now, if he wants to buy Solomon—that’s fine with me.
Money is money. But I hope you trust me when I tell you he is no one Jada should be dealing with. ”
Thomas let out a deep breath. “Is that all you’re going to give me?”
“Well, considering I have no hard evidence on what he’s doing now and the past is very personal, I’d rather leave it there. I hope my word is good enough. If Jada were my daughter or my wife, I wouldn’t want her to be anywhere near Simon Powers.”
The line was quiet, and my body tensed.
Have I crossed a line?
“It sounds like you’re fond of my daughter. Have you told her what you’re telling me?”
“I have told her that Simon is dangerous, but she’s pretty hardheaded. I hope you don’t mind me saying that.”
Thomas laughed. “She got that from her mother.”
“So as you can imagine, she bristled and now I’m not sure if she’s going to listen.”
“I’ll tell you what, Cane. I’ll reassign Powers to Zack, another associate here in our offices. And I appreciate the call. That’s my baby girl we’re talking about, so her safety trumps everything.”
“And if you don’t mind, I’d like to keep this conversation between us. I’m sure you can understand why.”
“Agreed.”
“I’ll let you get back to your day now, sir. Thank you for all of your help on Solomon Place, and I’ll let you know when I have something else to list.”
“No problem. And, Cane”—Thomas paused—“thank you. I appreciate you looking out for Jada.”
“The pleasure is mine.”