Chapter 4
—AZANI
One week later. Three Days Before Christmas
My alarm screaming beside my head shook me awake. Three solid hours of sleep was better than what I was getting before. I rolled over on my back, staring at the ceiling. Today, I had a meeting for a new project I was working on.
I picked up my phone, silenced the alarm, and rolled out of bed.
Hygiene first, then I picked out my suit for the day.
Devyn liked me in navy blue, so I pulled it from the garment bag.
Chocolate shoes, a briefcase to match my shoes, and then I got dressed.
I pulled my hair up and went downstairs to make Devyn’s tea.
I’d been making her tea every day and dropping it off to Vic, so he could give it to her. Respecting her boundaries was harder than I thought, but if I wanted any chance of getting her back, I had to do whatever she allowed.
The tea kettle she brought here was still on the stove. I filled it with water and put it on the fire, waiting for it to boil. Moving toward the fridge, I grabbed some honey, then opened it for the lemon slices and some mint.
Once I got her tea straight, I put a lid on it, grabbed my briefcase, put on my coat, and I was out the door.
It was cold as shit. I jumped in my car, thankful as hell for the app on my phone that turned on the heat and started the engine.
Hopefully, Devyn was in a good mood when I texted her today.
I didn’t know how much longer I could go with getting the cold shoulder from her.
I made it to Dev’s in eight minutes. When I pulled into her parking garage, Vic was there waiting. I rolled down my window, and he stepped up, smirking.
“You are one persistent ass nigga,” he said, rubbing his hands together.
“It’s the only way to be. She good?” I asked, passing him her tea.
“Yeah… I mean, I guess. You know Dev don’t be fuckin’ with me since I snatched her out of that brunch. But she only cried once yesterday, as far as I can tell.”
She’s still crying. I fucked up.
“Aight. Well, make sure she gets that while it’s still hot. I’ll hit you later to check up on her.”
He dapped me, and I pulled off, heading for my meeting.
I didn’t wanna kick it with these niggas.
They could have sent me the ideas, and I would have done my job from home.
Calling meetings for dumb shit. Everything made me irritated.
Devyn had turned me into a moody ass nigga.
I’d been snapping at everybody. A mothafucka couldn’t even cut me off in traffic.
I was on everybody’s ass. Mad at the world, but mad at myself for how broken I left Devyn.
I made it to the meeting early, so I had time to text Devyn, check a few emails, and get my head together before I stepped into this room with all these uptight people.
My finger scrolled through our message thread, and it made me realize how she went from telling me how much she missed me when I was gone to not seeing me at all.
I told her that I loved her every day for a week straight, and she never said it back.
It was one thing for someone to be dead and gone, and they couldn’t tell you they love you back. But knowing she was here and not saying it, that shit hurt. I was texting her anyway, though.
Me: Good morning. I love you.
Then, I waited. The bubbles moved three times, and then they stopped altogether. She left my ass on read. I shoved my phone in my pocket, then grabbed my briefcase. The gym was seeing me tonight. I needed to blow off some steam.
As I stepped out of my car, I scanned the area.
Shadow being back in the mix put me on edge.
I made sure Vic and his team kept a closer eye on Devyn.
If anything happened to her, I wouldn’t feel guilty for killing all those niggas.
I pushed open the door, and the receptionist sat there.
Titties pushed up to her throat. Long blonde hair and blue eyes.
Just the kind that they would have working at the front desk.
“Good morning. Do you have an appointment?” she asked, all giddy.
“Yes. A meeting with Roper no rentals,” Marc answered.
“And the investors want discretion,” Brad added quickly. “Athletes, entertainers, foreign money… people who don’t want paparazzi sitting outside their homes.”
I nodded, scanning the blueprint, pointing out all the flaws in this design. “There are too many access points.”
Marc leaned forward. “Explain.”
“Private residents have three separate entrances here, here, and here,” I said, pointing to each location. “It looks convenient on paper, but from a security standpoint, it’s stupid. You’re increasing vulnerability every time you create another uncontrolled entry.”
Brad and Marc exchanged looks, but I kept going.
“Your service elevator connects directly to the residential floors. That’s another problem. Maintenance staff, catering, and housekeeping… all somebody needs is one weak employee, and your clients are compromised.”
Marc crossed his arms slowly, lips pulled tight. “The elevator requires keycard access.”
I flipped another page, cutting my eyes at him. “And the underground. There’s a blind spot in the southeast corner and no camera coverage.”
Marc frowned, shaking his head. “There’s coverage. There shouldn’t be an issue.”
“It’s not enough.” I slid the blueprint back toward him. “Two columns obstruct visibility. Somebody could sit there for hours without being seen.”
Brad chuckled, shaking his head. “You caught all this already? This is why we needed you.”
“It’s what I do. Moving forward, I suggest a secured resident entrance, a separate staff access, and biometric checkpoints for private floors. I’d relocate the security office somewhere central instead of burying it in the basement, where response times are slower.”
“But that’ll increase costs,” Brad said.
“Do you want this secure or not?” I asked, raising my brow.
That shut him up. Marc ain’t have shit else to say either.
My phone buzzed in my pocket. While Brad and Marc discussed what they wanted to do, I pulled it out.
Bratty baby: Meet me at Mocha’s Tea shop tomorrow at 2. I want to talk.
I had to read it twice to make sure I wasn’t trippin’. Finally, she wanted to talk. After a whole week of her giving me one-word answers, getting “GM” instead of “good morning,” or just plain “TY” for “thank you,” she was letting me in.
Me: Okay.
“Okay, Azani,” Marc said. “Whatever suggestions you have, we’re open to making the necessary changes. We’ll have this blueprint revamped and sent over to you after the New Year. We have a lot of work to do between now and then.”
“No problem. Adjust your budget. The residents who value their privacy will appreciate the extra effort in their security, and they’ll pay for it.”
“Do you know how much more those new security measures might cost?” Brad asked.
“That depends on how the blueprints come back. If you want the return you’re looking for, I’d say another 1.5 million would give you some wiggle room. Investors will jump on this opportunity if the risk is low.”
Marc sighed, raking his hands through his hair. “Every time you’re on the team, we spend more money, but the turnout is always solid. I’ve gotta hand it to you. You’re the best eyes in the business.”
“I know,” I said, leaning back in my chair. “If you don’t need anything else, I’ll head out. You know how to reach me when you’re ready.”
I stood, sliding on my coat. Marc and Brad shook my hand, and I was out the door. They had a flawed design, which would have cost them more in the long run.
When I walked past the receptionist, she was smiling at me and shit, but I kept it pushing. The gym still needed to see me, but first I had to stop home to change. I jumped in my car, and as soon as I sat down, my phone buzzed.
G: Azani
G was on bullshit. I got the best news I’ve had all week from Dev, and now here he was.
I knew he was here just by what he said.
He was probably waiting for me at my house.
I needed to mentally prepare myself to talk to him.
One thing about G is that he will force a conversation.
He didn’t give a fuck about whether I’d like it or not.
When I pulled up on my block, I knew for sure G was there. Two black trucks on the corner, another two halfway up the block, and one parked in front of my house. I pulled into the driveway and sparked my blunt. Ain’t no way I was having this conversation with him without it.