by S. K. Hardy
Jerra looked up at Darrell with eyes shining, before giving her attention back to D.J. and exclaiming how much she loved the rose.
Darrell’s gaze slowly ran over her outfit. She was most definitely wearing the hell out of that red suit. It was classy and professional, but flattering and sexy at the same time. The lapel and pockets were trimmed in black to match the buttons on the jacket. The skirt, which fell a couple of inches above the knee, along with the red bottomed black pumps, showed off her killer legs to their advantage.
Damn.
He’d been unaware that he was staring until he heard someone clear his throat. Pulling his eyes away from Jerra, Darrell saw Justin coming towards him with his hand outstretched.
“Hello, Darrell.”
Just that quickly Darrell had forgotten that Heather said Justin was in Jerra’s office. Somewhat reluctantly, Darrell transferred the bouquet of roses to his left hand and grasped Justin’s a tad bit more firmly than necessary.
It didn’t go unnoticed by Justin, who lifted his left brow in surprise. “Good to see you again.”
“Good to see you too. How are you, Justin?”
“I’m great, thanks.” Still smiling, he looked at D.J. and shook his hand. “And how are you, young man? Stopping by to surprise your mom?”
“Yes.” When both Darrell and Jerra glanced at him sharply, he quickly corrected himself. “Yes sir.”
Justin laughed quietly, just as charmed by D.J. as everyone else seemed to be. “You are quite the little gentleman. You remind me of my son when he was your age.”
Darrell looked at him in surprise. “You married?”
“No. I have a twelve year old son, but his mother and I aren’t together.” That was all Justin said, but Darrell heard an inflection of what seemed to be bitterness in his voice, but as Justin continued speaking, Darrell wondered if he’d imagined it.
“Jerra, I’m going to leave now so that you can visit with your family.” He glanced at his watch. “Matter of fact, it’s Friday. Get out of here. You’ve been staying late almost every day since you started.”
“Yes, and by the time I leave, you’re still here, so you’re one to talk,” Jerra laughed.
Justin shrugged. “Hey, what can I say? I have no life.”
As before when he first met Justin at their house, Darrell was quiet as he watched the two of them interact. He silently took note of the easy rapport the two of them seemed to share. It felt like a kick in the gut to see Jerra smile so naturally with another man like that.
“Darrell, make sure you take her with you when you leave,” Justin said. “I don’t want to burn her out before she’s been here a good month.”
Darrell forced a smile. “Yeah, that’s what I’ve been trying to tell her, but she won’t listen.”
“Same as she was in law school. It’s part of what makes her a brilliant attorney.” Justin nodded to them as he prepared to leave, but almost as an afterthought, he turned back to Darrell. “By the way, I’m sorry you won’t be able to attend the party we’re throwing Jerra tomorrow night to welcome her to the firm. She said you had a business meeting? I offered to change the date, but hey, maybe the three of us can all go out to dinner or something one night.”
Darrell stared at Justin for a moment, his face shadowed with confusion. “What party?”
But as soon as he asked the question, he realized what was going on. Sullivan, Baker & Lewis was having a function to welcome Jerra to the firm…only Jerra had decided not to invite him. His eyes shifted to her and caught the guilt that spread over her face, as did Justin.
The smile on Justin’s face slipped as his eyes flew from Darrell to Jerra. It was painfully obvious that Darrell didn’t know what he was talking about. “I, um, I guess I’ll talk to you tomorrow night, Jerra. Nice seeing you, Darrell.”
Darrell didn’t acknowledge him, nor did he blink when Justin left the office. His attention remained riveted on Jerra’s expression, his face reflecting a multitude of emotions that ranged from accusation and anger to hurt.
He addressed D.J. without taking his eyes from her. “Son, why don’t you go and sit at the table over there while Mommy and Daddy talk.” He indicated the conference table on the other side of the room. “We won’t be but a minute.”
Darrell waited until D.J. was safely out of earshot. “I guess you weren’t planning on telling me about tomorrow night.”
“I probably should’ve at least mentioned it to you. It’s just that…”
“Just that what?” Darrell asked when she hesitated. “I’m still your husband.”
“But we are separated. Quite frankly, I don’t owe you any explanations.”
Darrell’s brows shot up and his head cocked to the side. “Oh really?”
“You know what I mean.”
“So, instead of respecting me enough to give me a head’s up, you make me look like a fool in front of Sullivan? You lie and tell him, I can’t make it?” Darrell growled out angrily as he quoted Justin.
Jerra shot a quick glance towards D.J. who was now staring at them through wide eyes. Jerra gave her son what she hoped was a reassuring smile before saying to Darrell in a hushed tone, “Please lower your voice.”
Darrell glanced at D.J. and grimaced. “It’s okay, son, Mommy and Daddy are just talking.”
“Use your quiet voice,” D.J. said.
Darrell gave him a curt nod and struggled to smooth out the ferocious frown he was almost sure he wore before turning back to Jerra, who was standing with her arms folded staring at him.
“Darrell, Justin doesn’t know we’re separated. Frankly, it’s not his or anyone else’s business.”
“I’m sure he’s got his suspicions now.”
Jerra glanced nervously at D.J., who was spinning around in one of the chairs but still casting leery looks at them.
Darrell counted to ten. When he felt he was a little calmer, he nodded slowly. “So this is the way we’re going to do this, huh?” He hunched his shoulder. “Fine. At least I know where I stand now.”
“Darrell–”
“Don’t worry about it. It’s cool. Do what you think is best, J.” He looked down at the bright bouquet of flowers he still held and felt even more foolish about the romantic gesture. Snorting softly, he tossed them on her desk. “I’m dropping D.J. off at Nikki’s so you won’t have to. I wanted to give you a break, get a little relaxation time in, but I see you got that covered. I guess I’ll see you Monday evening when you come to pick him up after work.”
“Darrell, wait.” Jerra lifted a hand as if to touch his arm, but Darrell deliberately avoided it by stepping back and turning to gesture at D.J. that it was time to go.
“By the way,” he said, glancing back at her. “I’m hiring someone to come in a few days a week to help around the condo and watch D.J. in the afternoons for a couple a hours.”
Jerra’s expression turned from shock to outrage. “You…you’re what?”
Darrell ignored her and looked down at D.J. and said in a brisk tone, “Go and tell your mother goodbye.”
“Darrell!” Jerra hissed, but pasted on a smile as D.J. half trotted, half jumped back to her.
“Bye, Mommy, I love you.”
Glaring at Darrell over the top of her son’s head, Jerra replied, “I love you too, sweetie. Have fun and be good for Aunt Nikki.”
“I will,” D.J. sang out excitedly. Pulling away from Jerra, he ran to Darrell and grabbed his hand, anxious to go. “Is Dillon coming too, Daddy? And Samantha? And Olivia? And Christian?”
“I’m not sure, buddy, I think Uncle Marcus said Dillon was coming but Samantha’s going to be at her mother’s, and Aunt Aleesha is taking Christian for the night. I think Uncle Dom mentioned that Manny might stay, though.”
“Cool!” D.J.’s eyes lit up as he pulled Darrell towards the door. “I like Manny. He’s teaching us Spanish. Wanna hear?”
“Darrell!” Jerra quickly interrupted D.J. to stop them at the door. “You hiring someone to
watch our son is something we need to discuss. I’m not comfortable with it at all.”
Darrell stopped and stared at her for several, long seconds. “Looks like both of us are gon’ have to get comfortable with a lot of things, aren’t we?” His eyes were cool and indifferent as he turned and walked out. “Enjoy your weekend.”
After Darrell left Angel’s and Nikki’s, he contemplated what to do with himself next. He glanced at his watch and saw that it was after three. Still early. Needing to keep busy, he went back to his office and caught up on some of the paperwork he’d been putting off doing and tried to block out the argument he and Jerra had gotten into.
A couple of hours had passed when he heard a soft knock on the door that pulled his attention away from a proposal he’d been working on. “Come in.”
Darrell glanced up from his computer when the door opened and saw that it was the young temp who had been sitting in for his secretary. Janelle was on maternity leave and wouldn’t be back for six weeks.
“Hey, Susan, what’s up?” Darrell tried to curb his impatience when she came in and closed the door behind her instead of just telling him what she wanted. “Leave the door open, please.”
“Oh, yes sir.” Susan quickly did as he asked with a slightly embarrassed smile.
“Was there something you needed?”
In her mid-twenties, Susan was more than proficient at her job, but Darrell couldn’t wait for Janelle to get back. Although he made sure his interaction with the young woman was strictly professional and above reproach, he knew she wouldn’t have minded providing him with more than just secretarial services. Lately, she was becoming bolder, finding little ways to make that known. Darrell wasn’t enthused about having to repeat the process again of finding a temporary secretary until Janelle came back, but if push came to shove…
“Well, that’s what I was getting ready to ask you,” she grinned. “I’ll be leaving soon. Is there anything else you’d like me to do?”
“No, I’m fine, thanks. Matter of fact, you can leave now. Have a good weekend.” His smile was tight as he turned his attention back to his work.
“Oh, no I wasn’t hinting around for you to let me leave early,” she said quickly.
“I know, but I’ll be wrappin’ things up myself in a little bit,” he answered without looking up. “Wouldn’t want you to think I’m some kind of slave driver, or somethin’.” The corner of his mouth lifted in an absent smile.
“I don’t think that at all. In fact, I think you’re wonderful to work for. It’s just that…well, since I broke up with my boyfriend recently, I have a lot a free time on my hands.” Susan hesitated before adding, “I, uh, guess you kind of know how that feels. Going through a breakup, I mean.”
Darrell had been more or less tuning her out, but when her words finally penetrated, he looked up slowly. The message in his eyes was far from inviting. “Excuse me?”
Susan blinked nervously when she heard the tone of his voice change. “I’m sorry, I hope you don’t think I’m prying, but I overheard you and Carl discussing your separation when you were in his office last week. I just wanted to let you know I understand what it feels like to go through something like that.” She took a few steps closer to his desk, smoothing her hands down the sides of her clingy dress. “If, um, if you ever need to…talk or…anything…” She let the sentence hang between them suggestively.
Darrell sat back in his chair, his expression thunderous. “Let’s get something straight. First of all, you and your boyfriend breaking up is nothing remotely similar to my situation which, by the way is none of your business.”
Susan immediately realized her mistake. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to suggest–”
“I know exactly what you were trying to suggest. Susan, let me be blunt, because quite honestly, I don’t know any other way to be. Janelle hired you to replace her temporarily because you came highly recommended. I have no complaints about the work you’ve been doing here. But my personal life? That’s off limits and not up for discussion. Am I making myself clear?”
“I…y-yes, sir. I’m sorry,” she said hurriedly. “I shouldn’t have–”
“No you shouldn’t have,” Darrell snapped. “The next time you overstep the boundaries of employer and employee, you’ll be looking for another job. You understand me?” Darrell’s voice was razor sharp as he delivered the verbal reprimand with the cutting sharpness of a leather whip.
Susan nodded rapidly and took several steps back. “Yes, sir. I’m sorry it won’t happen again.”
“Make sure it doesn’t. Matter of fact–” Darrell was seconds away from telling her it was best she not come back after today when his phone rang. He hesitated before snatching up the phone. “Yeah,” he barked.
“Damn, is that the way you greet your callers at work?”
“Who is this?” Darrell snapped, his eyes still on Susan. He wasn’t in the mood for games. In the next instant, the amused chuckle from the other end gave him his answer. “Hawk?”
“Yeah it’s me,” Hawk answered slowly. “What’s wrong with you? Catch you at a bad time, Cousin?”
“Just a sec.” After putting the phone on hold, he glowered at the nervous woman in front of him. Lips tightening, he said reluctantly, “We’ll put this incident behind us…this time. But don’t let it happen again, or I’ll terminate you on the spot.”
A look of overwhelming relief crossed her face. “Thank you so much. I can’t afford to lose this job. Again, I’m so sorry.”
“Why don’t you call it a day and we’ll start fresh on Monday.”
“Thank you,” she nodded and scurried to the door.
Darrell waited until she left his office before connecting the call. “Sorry about that. What’s up? How are you?”
“I’m good. How are you and the family?”
Darrell sighed and rubbed his forehead as he thought about Jerra, but only said, “They’re fine, thanks.”
“Good to hear it. Look, I don’t have but a few minutes, I’m already late for a meeting, but I’ve been intending to call you. I’m planning on opening another club soon, this time in Miami. I want to call it Club Paradise.”
“Okay.” Darrell leaned back in his chair and propped his size fourteen boots up on the desk. “An extension of the other three. Miami is a great location.”
“It is. Being that you used to own the other three, I’d like to pick your brain a bit and get your opinion about a few things.”
Darrell frowned. That wasn’t what he’d been expecting. “What things?”
“Not trying to be vague here, Cousin, but I really don’t have time to go into it over the phone. I’m flying into Vegas tomorrow evening. If you’re not busy, we can get together and talk, maybe visit Club Ecstasy while I’m there. That way I can show you what changes I plan on implementing for the club in Miami. That cool with you?”
Darrell thought about the bleak weekend he had ahead of him. He hadn’t been looking forward to it at all. Marcus was working a double at the hospital, and he was sure Dom would be staying home to enjoy some alone time with Keisha since the kids wouldn’t be there. Carl was out of town on business and he didn’t feel like putting on a fake façade if he called anyone else, so he’d resigned himself to his own company. But that also meant he would have time to think and he didn’t want to do that. Hawk’s call was actually right on time.
“Yeah, that’s more than cool,” Darrell told him.
Hawk had been rushing about while talking to Darrell on speaker, but paused when he heard the strange tone in Darrell’s voice. “Everything alright, man? Anything you want to talk about?”
Darrell hesitated then shook his head. “Nah. Just need something to occupy my mind right now.”
Deciding not to push the issue for now, Hawk let it go. “Okay. Soon as I get there and check into the hotel, I’ll give you a buzz.”
Darrell laughed and shook his head at Hawk’s energy. “No need for that. I’ll pick you up and you can stay w
ith me.”
“Great. Sounds like a plan. See ya’ then.”
CHAPTER 27
After Darrell hung up the phone with Hawk, he had to admit that he felt a little better. He and Hawk may have started off of the wrong foot, but after the dinner in New York, Darrell felt as if he’d gotten to know all of his cousins a little better.
For instance, Lucas sort of reminded him of Angel. Quiet, deadly, but fiercely loyal to his family. The way he’d deftly deactivated the situation between Darrell and Hawk and taken control showed Darrell the others looked at him as the unofficial leader of the group, the heir apparent to the Pattel throne.
King was somewhat of an enigma. He wasn’t born a Pattel, but there was no doubt he was one of them. He always seemed to be on edge. Even though there had been Pattel soldiers sitting one table over from theirs at the restaurant, King constantly kept watch, glancing around, always on the alert. He was a man Darrell would want to have for him rather than against him if it ever came down to that.
And Hawk? Darrell was beginning to learn that there was more to the youngest Pattel than met the eye. He gave off an air of being a spoiled, carefree playboy, but Darrell was convinced it was an act that he deliberately stepped into when it suited him, a camouflage of sorts that allowed him to scope out people and situations without them being aware they were being observed. As the evening had worn on and Darrell listened, Hawk had reminded him a little bit of Marcus. He was brilliant. His mind always seemed to be ten paces ahead of everyone else’s. By the time the rest of them came to a conclusion about a particular subject, Hawk had reached it miles before and sat back waiting on everyone else to catch up.
Darrell’s stomach growled noisily, reminding him how hungry he was. Standing, he turned his computer off. At least his most pressing decision about what he was going to do next was taken care of. Maybe he’d slide by O’Ryan’s for a few hours, get a bite to eat and watch the game before heading home and getting shit-faced drunk. It wasn’t something he did very often but it was preferable to sitting around thinking about Jerra.