by Sedona Venez
Ariana sighed heavily. “I know my sister. She’s not going to turn her back on Bigsby. She’s invested way too much of her time, money, and connections into molding him into her perfect Ken doll. No. She’ll turn her back on our family first. In her eyes, I’ve just declared war against her and Bigsby.”
“Does Jade know what’s going on?” I asked.
“Yes. And she’s angry with Cate, and she wants to come back to the US. You know, to have my back when shit gets ugly between Cate and me… and believe me; it will.”
“You and Jade are not on your own. You both are my family.” I grabbed her hand. “You’re like my mother, and if I can help, I’ll do it with no questions asked. Let me be there for you while Jade’s away.”
She squeezed my hand back. “Sin, you already have enough going on in your life. Plus, I don’t want you getting hit with shit when Cate starts slinging it. You know how cruel she can be.”
“I’m not scared of her, Ariana. You and Jade are the only family I have, and I’ll fight tooth and nail to protect you two.”
She smiled at me. “What a damn tiger. I raised two beautiful women.” She nudged me in the side. “So are you going to tell me what the hell happened downstairs between you and that woman?”
“That was Tabitha,” I answered.
“Really?” Her eyes widened.
I nodded.
Ariana pursed her lips. “She looks different. Time out of the fashion spotlight has dimmed her remarkably.”
“I know. She looked like a hot mess. Not that I feel bad about her predicament at all.”
“Okay. Get me up to speed,” Ariana said.
I leaned my head on her shoulder. “Where should I start?”
“From the top and leave nothing out.”
She stroked my hair in her familiar, comforting way, and it didn’t take long for the drama playing out with my townhouse break-in and the Tabitha reality show to come tumbling from my mouth.
Several hours later, Ariana had already left. And Zuri had sent me a text saying she was in the vicinity, taking care of business and for me not to leave without her. And still… there was no return call from McKay.
Fucker!
We—Erika and I—stood before the floor-to-ceiling mirror while I made the final adjustments to her gown. I was proud of my creation; Erika was stunning in the gown that accented her perfect, tight, curvy body. The dark richness of her skin contrasted beautifully against the formfitting chartreuse drape-back dress. Next to Jade and Ariana, she was the best walking commercial for my clothing line.
“Damn!” Erika exclaimed. “My ass looks spectacular in this dress. It’s like I’ve had a butt lift.” She did a sexy butt shake.
I laughed. “Well, look at you. Twerk it.”
“Age ain’t nothing but a number.” She shimmied. “I’ve still got it.”
“Yeah, you do.” I impishly tapped her ass. “But I’m gonna need you to stop watching Cardi B music videos.” I smiled saucily before stepping back, examining her.
“Never!” Erika dissolved in laughter before walking over to her bag, reaching in, and pulling out a piece of paper. “This is for you,” she explained, extending her hand.
Walking over, I took the check, blinking at the five-figure number written on it. “Erika, you’re overpaying me again.” I handed it back. “I can’t take it.”
“Nonsense.” She waved away my objection. “Just the pleasure of my husband drooling over me in your design… that’s worth the price of this gown and more, darling.” She grinned at me. “When Mitch sees me in this, he won’t be able to keep his hands off me. And let me tell you, the man’s foreplay game is on point.”
Ugh… no. Why do my clients insist on oversharing?
Her statement was the equivalent of realizing that your parents were still having sex. Hard pass on that kinky image.
“Well, if my designs get women laid, then my community service is done. You’re welcome.” I bowed playfully.
She cracked up before walking over to the mirror again. “What do you think? Up or down?” She gestured to her hair.
“Up.” Coming up behind her, I twisted the hair hanging freely from her ponytail, wrapping it around into a tight, high knot. I stilled when I noticed the small infinity tattoo at the base of her neck. “Well, look at you. A tattoo?”
Erika didn’t seem like an ink chick. I squinted at the letter G etched at one end of the infinity symbol and the letter A at the other.
She lifted her head, meeting my eyes in the mirror. “It’s to remember someone I loved and lost years ago,” she confessed, and her famous sassy smile was nowhere to be seen. There was an unmistakable sadness in her eyes.
I pressed one hand against her shoulder. “I’m sorry for your loss.”
“Thank you,” she whispered. My hand fell away when she turned around to face me. “He died too young, but when he was alive, he did give me the best gift a woman could hope for, his love.” She cleared her throat. “Sin, I overheard your conversation with Ariana about your break-in and that horrid Tabitha woman.” Her eyes locked with mine. “And I hope you don’t get offended, but I’m worried about you. Is everything okay money-wise? I know how close you were to finishing your clothing line. I’d just hate for you to give up on your dreams because of everything that’s happened.”
My thoughts flashed to Core…
Would he do anything for me?
Or is he just running a game? Using me to get what he wants?
“I’m okay.” I warmly smiled at her. “Believe me; I’m not remotely close to giving up designing for a job at a fast-food restaurant.”
Erika drawled, “I know that.” She reached out, grabbing my hand. “But if I can help in any way, I will. My show has millions of viewers, and I’d love to have your pieces on set. I want the world to know about your clothing.”
Heat radiated through my chest at her generous offer. “I’ll never say no to business or publicity. I’m game.” Just the press coverage would be enough to keep the fashion hags talking for days.
“Good. I’ll have my people contact you.” Her hand tightened around mine before quickly pulling away as if she’d just realized she was still clutching mine. She smiled at me before walking away toward the dressing room, and then she stopped abruptly, turning around to stare at me.
“Sin, I—” She fidgeted and twisted her large, sparkling diamond engagement ring coupled with the diamond-encrusted wedding band. A look of uncertainty flickered in her eyes. “Uh… nothing.”
Without another word, she dipped into the dressing room.
“Well… that was strange,” I mumbled under my breath.
AFTER LEAVING CISCO’S BOUTIQUE, I stood in Core’s kitchen, fuming silently. “Fucker!” I mumbled under my breath while glancing down at my cell again. “Who does he think he is, not returning my call?” But I’d be damned if I blew up his cell. I refused to chase his ass for answers about Tabitha.
“Sin—” Zuri started.
“Nope.” I cut her off. “No excuses.”
And then there was another problem. The tenseness between Zuri and me that permeated the confines of the kitchen was uncomfortable.
There were so many unanswered questions.
What was going on between Tabitha and Core? Why had he sought me out through Tabitha? And why would a billionaire like him want to go into business with a fashion designer? And lastly, what does Zuri know about this debacle?
Even if she knew the answers to my questions, which she probably did, I suspected she wouldn’t tell me. She was loyal to Core.
Besides, it would be unfair to interrogate her, given her close relationship with him.
My cell chirped. Glancing down, I saw it was a text from Core.
Dinner tonight. We need to talk. Max will pick you up at 8 p.m. sharp. C.M.
I promptly texted back. Fuck off! S.M.
“Take that, asshole,” I muttered.
Zuri exhaled loudly. “That was Core, wasn’t it?”<
br />
“Yes. Your lord and master has finally decided to acknowledge my existence, ordering me to be ready to go out to dinner with him tonight.” I snorted. “That shit is not happening.”
“Why not?”
“Because I don’t jump to attention and salute when he snaps his fingers.”
Zuri shook her head. “You two are the most stubborn, most bullheaded people I’ve ever met. All I know is that both of you need to talk this out, clear the air. Don’t you think?”
“I called him hours ago… and nothing. Not an, I’m busy right now, and we’ll talk later. Just crickets. This is not normal. He’s not fucking normal.” I huffed, plopping down onto the barstool nestled under the granite kitchen counter.
“I’m sorry… Were you under some perception that he was normal?” She arched a brow. “Because you and I know he’s not. For that matter, you wouldn’t want his ass if he were. Admit it.”
I rolled my eyes. “Maybe not. But I do expect some level of communication.”
Zuri sat down with a heavy sigh. “Then go out with him and let him communicate. Let him explain what the hell is going on. Don’t you want to know?”
“Of course I want to know, Zuri. Hence my call to him hours ago.” I eyed her. “Something is going on. I feel it in my bones, and my instinct is never fucking wrong. Never.”
“Sin, I—”
I held up my hand. “Zuri, stop. I don’t need you to explain anything. It’s not your place to clean up his shit.”
“Sin, you know me better by now. I’m not going to touch this whole Tabitha drama. That’s between you and him.” She leaned forward. “But I will say this—he’s my family. I love him. I really do, but he’s stubborn sometimes.” Zuri sighed heavily. “When Core wants something, he goes after it with a single-minded, calculating focus, and he won’t stop until he gets it. But he’s a bull in a china shop. He doesn’t give a crap about finesse. So all I’m saying is to be patient with his ass because he’s going to make all sorts of mistakes when it comes to you. Just”—she cleared her throat—“try to forgive him when he does because he’s really a good guy and worth it.”
“Why are you telling me all this?”
“Because I want you to understand the man behind the mask. I want you to take the blinders off and really see him. And when the time comes when he pulls off the disguise he wears to protect himself emotionally, I want you to be open to forgive some of the things he does or says. Because sometimes Core forgets the human aspect of being human. You know what I mean?” She pursed her lips.
“No, I don’t,” I replied, feeling like she was passing on some secret message that I didn’t quite have the code for.
“You will. Just give it time,” Zuri finished, lightly touching my arm.
I could feel the beginning of a migraine when my cell rang. I smiled when I saw the name on the caller ID. “I’ve got to take this,” I explained to Zuri.
“Sure. No issues,” Zuri replied, getting up. “I’ll be in Core’s office,” she finished, striding out of the kitchen, giving me privacy.
“Hey, Jade!” I answered.
Jade was scheduled to be away on her shoot for months, and even though she hadn’t been gone long, I already missed her something fierce. We’d been friends since high school. We pushed each other further. Our friendship had tightened over the years, creating a perfect synergy unmatched by any other relationship to date. We were an unstoppable team who stuck by each other, no matter how rough the circumstances.
“Don’t hey me.” Jade countered. “My mom just told me about what happened at your place. Are you okay?”
“Yes.”
“Thank God.” I could hear the relief in her voice. “Shit. Where were you when it happened?”
“With Core.” I leaned forward, putting my elbows on the counter.
“Wait! What?” There was a beat of silence. “Core? As in Core McKay?”
“Who else?” I answered, nibbling on my bottom lip.
“Oh, please tell me you fucked my favorite bad boy.”
“Sure did… several times.”
Jade squealed. “About time!” She followed that with a rambunctious rendition of the “Bad Boys” song, and then she abruptly asked, “Wait. You did come, right?”
I burst out laughing. “Yes… and it was magical.”
“Ah, shit… I knew he had potential. Damn. My favorite alphalicious billionaire rained pixie and fairy dust on your vajayjay. Leg on his shoulder. Boom! Fairy dust. Doggy style. Bam! Fairy dust.”
“Jade.” I interrupted. “You want to hear my story or not?”
“Hell yeah! And since it’s been such a pathetically long time since I’ve had sex, I’m going to need details. Lots of sweaty, hot, and hopefully very filthy details.” She paused. “Hold on a second. Let me take a sip of coffee and get all comfy.” I heard shuffling sounds, and then Jade shouted, “And… go!”
Putting my phone on speaker, I gossiped. “So Friday, he invited me to his McKay Club’s private playground—Noire.” Thirsty, I went over to the refrigerator.
“I’ve heard about that place. The gossip hags say Noire is the anything-goes section.”
“More like anything your kinky little heart desires,” I replied, grabbing a bottle of Pellegrino, cracking it open, and taking a long sip. “Believe me; the gossip is nowhere near the reality of Noire. It’s total sexual energy and chaos.”
I opened the cabinet, looking for a snack. “Oh, jackpot! Macarons.” Pulling out the box, I ripped into the package, biting into the cookie’s crisp outer shell that gave way to a soft, chewy center with an intense burst of flavor. “Lordy… it’s yummy.”
“Wait. His cock was yummy?” Jade asked.
“I was talking about my macaron. But his cock was quite tasty, too,” I sassed cheekily.
“Sin!” Jade screeched in an impatient tone. “Focus. Details.”
I chewed. “Put it this way.” I swallowed. “If I threw his cock up in the air, it would rain sunshine. That’s how good he is.”
“Oh, I want one of those.” Jade gasped comically.
“You know… he does have a friend named Ram.”
“Ram?” she sputtered. “What kind of name is that?” She paused. “Never mind. I don’t even want to get into that topic.”
I laughed. “Yes. Let’s not go there.”
“Anyhoo,” she replied, “I’ll hard pass on the Ram.”
I nearly choked on my mouthful of cookie at her dramatic emphasis on the word Ram. “Girl, you’re a hot mess.”
“I’m just saying…”
“Anyway,” I quipped, “after the club, when he dropped me home, my front door was wide open. And when I walked in, my place was destroyed.” I swallowed hard. “Everything, including my collection.”
“Jesus,” Jade hissed. “This story just turned left.” She paused. “Not that I don’t care about your work, but I’m happy you weren’t home when they broke into your place. You can re-create your collection. Your life and safety are more important,” she remarked. “Was anything stolen?”
“Nothing I could pinpoint but that ledger of my dad’s.”
Jade had been with me when I was looking in Dad’s ratty trunk and found the well-worn leather ledger that had been deliberately concealed in the false bottom.
“You sure you didn’t just misplace it?” Jade asked.
“I’m sure. I put it right back where I’d found it. I had every intention of looking through it again when I had time, but I never did.”
I also remembered that while the police were at my house after the break-in, I’d found the large chunk of old, splintered wood that had once covered the false bottom of Dad’s old trunk on the floor, and the trunk had been lying on its side with all the contents spilled out. When I’d righted it and scanned inside, I could see the false bottom was missing and so was the red leather ledger that had been hidden in the secret compartment.
“That’s odd,” Jade uttered. “Why would someone want to ste
al that?”
I shrugged. “How would I know? There was nothing in the ledger that made any sense to me.” I guzzled my water.
I recollected lifting the cover and flicking through the thin paper. The first several pages were a collection of names, which were not in my father’s handwriting. Then there were the initials G.L.C. scrawled in red ink at the bottom of every page, along with random numbers and phone numbers. All the pages had codes running along the margins.
“Anyway…” I carried on. “It’s gone, but all my jewelry and other expensive stuff remained untouched. Not that I give a shit. Material possessions can be replaced, but my collection can’t.”
“Sin, it’s going to take hard work, but you can reboot your collection,” Jade responded. “I’m just relieved that my bestie didn’t get hurt.”
I heaved a sigh, twirling the bottle between my fingers. “You’re right, but what’s messing with my head is that the intruder just destroyed everything, down to the smallest details. It was spiteful, as if they were trying to break me emotionally.”
“You see, that… I just don’t get,” Jade said. “Unlike me, you don’t have any enemies or rivals. It’s just fucking freaky that someone would do that shit to you. Sin, I don’t feel comfortable with you staying alone at your townhouse. Why don’t you stay at my place while I’m away?” She urged. “I have twenty-four-seven security. You’ll be safe there.”
I seriously contemplated her offer. Staying at Jade’s place seemed like the smart thing to do. I had no guarantees that the intruder wouldn’t come back, but next time, I could be home. Staying by myself wasn’t ideal, particularly since the intruder was still out there, but what were my alternatives? Definitely not camping out at Core’s place… especially not after he’d ignored my phone call. But the townhouse was my home, and no one was going to chase me away from it.
“I can protect myself, Jade. Shit, I’ve been doing a damn good job for twenty-six years.”
“Don’t get all huffy with me, Sin Michaels. I’m worried about you; that’s all.”
I sighed heavily because I was being irrationally bratty. “I know. I’ll be okay. I promise.”