“What’s up, Special K?”
“Your final divorce decree just arrived. You are officially unattached.”
“Been unattached. I’m just glad the state has approved it,” he said. “Have the reporters stopped calling yet?”
Kia sighed. “You haven’t heard the latest?”
“I’ve been listening to ocean waves. Do I even want to know?”
“She claims there’s a black book and you know where it is. We’ve had a few agents stop by the office, but I told them that without a warrant they couldn’t come in. And three more clients have dropped us.”
Zach muttered curses that caused a few people to give him the side eye. “Why does she keep tarnishing my name?”
“She doesn’t want to let you go, and she isn’t trying to go down without taking a lot of innocent people with her. I’ve never liked Ms. Shady Boots, and I told you that from the beginning.”
“I wish I’d seen her true colors years ago,” he said, then expelled a sigh.
“Tried to warn you, boss. But you were blinded by something else.”
“Don’t remind me. How’s the baby?”
“Still baking. I’m two weeks overdue, and Dave is stressing me out. That’s why I came into the office today.”
“Please don’t give birth in my office,” he quipped. “I’m so happy for you and Dave. I wish I could be there to celebrate with you guys.”
“Zach, I’m not mad at you for staying away and getting your head together. And why not have some fun while you’re out there?”
“That’s my plan. When I come back to New York, hopefully this news cycle will be over and I can get back to my business and spoiling my godson.”
“Excuse you, I’m having a daughter. So, you better get some of the Southern girly-girl stuff while you’re in Charleston.”
“I’m bringing football helmets and shoulder pads,” he said with a laugh.
“Anyway. Unless anything major happens, the next time you hear from me, I’ll be calling with the news of your goddaughter’s entrance into the world,” Kia said.
When they said good-bye, Zach turned his phone off, leaned back in his lounge chair, and closed his eyes. The warmth of the sun did little to ease the chill he felt creeping up his spine. Even though he’d divorced his criminal wife and had had nothing to do with her sex peddling, his boutique real estate firm was suffering. A couple of clients had taken their business elsewhere, costing him fifteen million dollars. The loss hurt, but his company was strong—for now. If he kept losing the big clients, then he would be hurting, as well as his employees.
Part of him wanted to push Natalie into the Hudson River with a hundred pounds of weights attached to her Louboutins. But he was nonviolent, and he just planned to let everything blow over. He was going to have to diversify, and maybe he would find a great investment down South that would make up for his losses. Down here, he wouldn’t be cast as the husband of the “Harlem Madame.” He could create a Southern branch of his business, buy some cheap land, and turn it into gold. After all, he knew his Midas touch was still intact. At least, he hoped so.
Groaning, Zach decided it was time for another drink and some more girl watching.
Strategic Seduction Page 24