by Iris Bolling
“There will be another project and to cut this short if there wasn’t I would create one. My brother and I are self-made. We don’t depend on others for our livelihood.”
“Research on your company has proven that to be true. And as you say, let’s keep this short and to the point. It has come to our attention that you have supplied Nicole Brooks with a design for her London project. We would like you to withdraw the offer."
"Why would I?"
"We would like to make an offer for the design."
"Sight unseen."
"Sight unseen." Cannon nodded.
Xavier studied the man for a long moment. "I would simply design another for her."
"We will offer for that as well."
Xavier nodded in understanding.
With his finger propped on his chin, Xavier stared at the man for a long while. “It’s time for you to leave, Mr. Cannon.”
Cannon gave a smooth smile as he stood. “Thanks for your time, Mr. Davenport. I would suggest you call your people in city hall. You will find the decision on the sports complex is on hold, indefinitely.” He reached into his suit jacket, pulled out a card and placed it on the desk. “You have a good day, sir.” He nodded then walked out.
It took a moment for Xavier’s temper to calm. He picked up the phone. “Diamond, have we heard any word on the bid for the city’s proposed sports complex?”
“I’m told we are in line to receive that contract.”
“Give someone a call, see what the status is and let me know.” He hung up then pulled out his cell. The voice on the other end had a calming effect so powerful for a moment, he had no idea what he was angry about.
“Tell me something sweet and sexy,” Nicole answered.
He could hear the smile in her voice, and he smiled in return. “Have you ever been kissed from head to toe?”
“Last night, as a matter of fact. However, I’m up for a replay.”
“I have something different in mind tonight,” Xavier teased. “Am I flying to New York or are you coming to Richmond?”
“I’m coming to you. The sooner I finish going through the information from my IT folks I’ll be on a plane.”
“How did the meeting with the board go this morning?”
“As I suspected, Ellington was pissed that I went with another architect. Warren was thrilled that the project was no longer on hold. The design has been sent to the London partners. When it’s approved we will contact Allen and Allen, and of course, Davenport Industries.”
“No need to contact us. That is your design free and clear. It’s my gift to you.”
“Xavier, this design is worth millions. Davenport Industries’ name is going on it.”
“You’re a stubborn woman. Can’t wait to see you tonight. Question.” He fought to keep his voice calm. “Does the name Cannon mean anything to you?”
“Cannon? Cannon?” She held the phone. “No. I’m afraid the only Cannon I know is Mike Cannon from the Las Vegas TV show.”
Xavier grinned. “I used to watch that show.”
“I did too,” Nicole laughed. “You have good taste in women and TV shows. I have to go. Wait up for me.”
“I’m always up for you.”
She growled, “You are too much. Check you later.”
Xavier hung up the phone just as Diamond walked into his office. “Why did you ask about the sports complex bid?”
“Curious,” he replied as he looked up at her.
“According to my source, the project has a temporary hold on it.”
“By who?”
“The Mayor.”
“Thanks, Diamond, keep me posted."
"Is something wrong?"
"No, establishing priorities."
Diamond nodded, then hesitantly walked away.
Xavier pulled out his cell. "Grant, are you free?"
"I can be. What's up?"
"Who do you know at City Hall?"
"I'm about to take the Mayor's job. I know everyone."
"I'll be at your office in an hour."
A threat to him, he could ignore. A threat to his brother he could not. Once he secured the bid on the Sports Complex, he was going to have to explain a few things to Mr. Cannon.
Twenty minutes later, Xavier was at the construction site speaking to Zack and Reese. “I had an interesting visitor today. It seems Nicole has an enemy out there.”
Zack sat up. “What do you mean, enemy?”
“You mean other than Trish,” Reese joked.
“Unlike Trish this one just threatened to block our sports complex bid if I did not withdraw the plans I designed for Nicole’s London project.”
“What?” both men echoed.
Xavier only raised an eyebrow.
“Who is he?”
“Name is Cannon,” he explained. “Just Cannon.”
Zack stood. “Let’s go.” He said to Reese.
“Hold up, Zack. This is my situation. You needed to be aware of it, but I need you to trust that I will handle this.”
“This is something that can impact our business, X-man.” Zack’s temper was getting the better of him. “If someone is threatening this company, we all need to be involved.”
“I brought this to you because I understand we all need to be involved at some point. What I’m asking you at this time is to have a little faith in me.”
Zack believed in Xavier’s abilities as a designer. He hadn’t been involved in situations like corporate takeovers. Zack had. However, his little brother asked him to have faith in him and he would. “Let us know if you need us.”
“Will do.” Xavier didn’t think it was possible but Zack had shown him again how much he believed in him. He would not disappoint his brother.
Grant was pacing the front lobby when Xavier arrived. “My office,” he said with a touch of urgency. “This is why I’m running for office. It seems one of the councilmen has requested a hold be put on the vote on the sports complex project. I spoke with him after you called. He gave me the run around. I spoke with one of his secretaries. She indicated he was for the project going forward until a messenger arrived with a package earlier today.”
“A package from whom?”
“Someone named Cannon.”
“The same person who paid me a visit this morning.”
“What did he want?”
Xavier shared the details of the visit with Grant. “I have no intention of doing what he asked. However, I can’t ignore the situation because it could impact Zack.”
“What do you want to do?”
“First, I want to ensure the sports complex project is not impacted by this. How much power does this councilman have?”
Grant grinned. “Not as much as I do. The only thing is I don’t want to influence the vote on the project either. What I can do is put the vote back on the table and make sure it stays there, but I will not sway the vote.”
“All I’m asking is things go as normal.”
“That I can do.” Grant made a call as Xavier paced and considered his next move. Checking his watch it was now after five. Nicole should be wrapping up. The last thing he wanted was for this issue to cloud their first day at home together. When Diamond married Zack, the Davenports became honorary Lassiters. As a result, he was given a get out of jail free card of sorts. His gut was telling him, Cannon was not the mastermind behind this conspiracy with Nicole. Someone else was pulling the strings. Trish crossed his mind. But she would have had no way of knowing about the design. That was the one thing that was bugging him. He gave Nicole the design over the weekend. She called a meeting with her staff and then with the partners to present the design. Within hours Cannon was in his office. How did he know about the design and that it came from him? Did Nicole have someone in her office sharing in-house information with Cannon? If so, who and why?
“Done,” Grant stated, pulling Xavier from his thoughts. “The vote on the design is back on for later this week. I requested the decision not be announce
d until Thursday. Therefore whoever is behind this will thinks the plot is working.”
“I appreciate that.”
“Now what are you going to do about this Cannon person?”
“Cannon isn’t the mastermind behind this. I’m going to gather some information, then I’m going after the mystery man.”
***
The elevator door opened to Xavier waiting with a hot cup of chamomile tea. The kiss they shared was long, lingering, meant to make up for all the hours they were apart.
“Hmm, how was your day?” he asked as he ran his hands down her back.
“Too long,” she replied as the warmth of his long fingers penetrated her senses.
“Well…” He took her case, containing her tablet, and her purse from her, placing them on the table in the hallway. “I have a hot dinner and a glass of wine waiting for you. I thought you would enjoy a nice bath and a cup of tea, while I put the bread in the oven.”
“Bread? Oven? A fine, sexy man filled with sinergy. I must have died and gone to heaven.” Taking the cup of tea she looked over her shoulder and smiled as she entered the bedroom.
“If you did, I’m right there with you.” Xavier watched as she walked away and could not believe she was here with him. Walking into the living room, he turned the fireplace on, then looked out his window. He loved the view. Anger touched him as the thought that someone might be out there with a camera came to him. His first reaction was to close the blinds, but that would be allowing whoever was behind the pictures in the blog to have control over his life. That was something he would not allow.
While in the kitchen thoughts of Cannon’s visit continued to plaque him. The thought of his involvement with Nicole interfering with his business had never occurred to him. It was hard to imagine what type of issues people with money had to deal with. He and Zack had worked all their lives for a living. They did not have the kind of money that would cause someone to target them. Nicole did.
He was thinking of the impact of that fact when she walked up behind him, and put her arms around his waist. All thoughts and concerns about her money and the impact it might have on their lives vanished. Her touch, her presence, her being was worth anything he would have to endure. He stopped buttering the biscuits and turned to her.
“Not long ago I asked for a woman who would make me forget who I was with her passion and beauty. God sent you. I enjoy the passion and beauty, but find myself falling in love with the person known as Nicole… What’s your middle name?”
Kissing his throat, she replied, “Cheyenne.”
“Nicole Cheyenne Brooks. We should name our first child Cheyenne.”
“We’re having children?” Nicole asked as she pushed his sweater up to kiss his chest.
“Yes.” He pulled the sweater over his head and dropped it to the floor. “At least five.”
“Three boys, two girls,” she replied as she unzipped his pants which joined the sweater.
“Three girls, two boys.” He ran his fingers through her hair then lost his train of thought as she took him into her mouth. His head fell back as the sensations surged through his body. “Hungry, are you?”
She squeezed his testicles then released him, wrapped hers arms around his neck and her legs round his waist. He was prepped and ready to take her and he did, easing into her creating a perfect union of their bodies.
“I love you, Xavier Davenport,” she moaned into his ear.
He braced her against the refrigerator, held her hands above her head with one hand, the other hand held one thigh a little higher than the other. He kissed her, slow and sweet, moving in and out in rhythm with his tongue. He raised her thigh a little higher, allowing him to go deeper into her. She moaned. He lifted it higher, then slowly went deeper. She broke the kiss as her voice hitched. “Xavier.” He pushed deeper, and deeper hitting that spot that made her sing. Each time she moaned his urgency increased, soaring until neither could fight the explosion.
The kiss continued as their bodies handled the aftermath of their lovemaking. Xavier kissed her neck, her collar bone, her breasts, as he lowered her back to her feet.
They held each other until their bodies began to relax. “Dinner’s ready.”
Nicole began laughing. “Good, I’m starving.”
“Shall we eat…some food?”
Chapter 17
Atlanta, GA
Tuesday
Xavier made a trip to Atlanta, since that was the location listed on Cannon’s card. He wasn’t sure where he would have to go, but he had patience. Sitting in a downtown hotel, he scribbled, designing the home he and Nicole had talked about. As he sketched the bedrooms, a question popped into his head. Smiling, he sent a message to Nicole. How many children are we going to have?
His cell buzzed with a reply. As many as my body can pump out and your wallet can take care of.
Xavier smiled. We’ll be making babies for years. His cell buzzed, a call was coming through. He answered the call, it was the one he was waiting for from Reese. “You have a location for me?”
“According to my friend with the FBI, he’s using the same tower as you for his call. He’s less than ten miles away. We have a name for you.” There was hesitation.
“Today, Reese.”
“Lawrence Cannonball McNally.”
Xavier’s brow creased. “The football player?”
“The one and only,” Reese replied.
“Thanks for the info, Reese. One more thing. Can we get a list of calls made from his line?” Xavier was still frowning as he disconnected the call.
“What could he have against Nicole?” Using his cell phone he looked up the location and telephone number for B7 Beats. He then dialed the number.
“Hello is Mr. McNally available?”
“Mr. McNally isn’t available until after four this afternoon. May I assist you?”
“No, thank you. I’ll have to catch him another day.”
“If you are interested in an audition open sessions are held on Thursday evenings from seven to nine. It gives you ten minutes to demonstrate your talents.”
“Thank you for the information. I may do that.”
An hour later Xavier sat outside the building where B7 Beats was located. He worked from a bench across the street from the parking entrance. He made notes as cars entered and left the facility, taking down license plates of those he thought might belong to Cannon.
“X-man? I thought that was you. What are you doing in Atlanta?”
Xavier looked behind him, shook his head and grinned then broke out into a full-fledged laugh. “All Diamond knew was a project was put on hold. What more could she have told you?”
“My surprised to see you act didn’t work, huh?”
“Atlanta is a big city. There was no way you of all people would just happen to be where I am.”
“You told me and Diamond where you were going.” Adam Lassiter, Diamond’s brother, came around to sit next to Xavier on the bench. He smiled at the look on Xavier’s face questioning his statement. “Your secretary made the reservations using your credit card to purchase your plane ticket, book your room and rent the car. If you don’t want anyone to know where you are going always use cash, it can’t be traced.” He looked around. “So, what are you doing?”
“Waiting for someone to come out of that building.”
“Who?”
“A man named Cannon.”
“You need his license plate number?” Adam pulled out his computer. “You know his full name?”
“Lawrence McNally,” A curious Xavier looked on.
“The ex-football player? He’s a new executive at B7.” He began typing. “I have this new program I’m developing for the government with a tracking element.” He turned his computer screen to Xavier. “Here you go.”
Xavier stared at him amazed at how quickly he’d retrieved the information. “Are you able to trace calls on there?”
“Sure.” Adam shrugged.
Xavier pulled u
p the list Reese had sent him of the numbers from Cannon’s phone. “Can you tell me who he was calling?”
“Tell me what’s going on and I’ll tell you how I can help.”
Xavier looked around wondering if he should involve anyone else in this situation. He had to admit, his plan could take days or weeks to find the information he needed while Adam took a matter of minutes. “I think Cannon is working for someone who is out to hurt my lady’s business in some way. He paid me a visit yesterday threatening to put a bid we placed on hold. I was able to get a friend to counter act the move so Davenport Industries will not be impacted. Now, I want to know who is behind this scheme and why.”
“I read about you and Nicole Brooks. Not bad. If it was me, I’d want to know not only who and why. I’d want to know what’s their end game.” He began keying. “Let’s see who he’s been talking to.”
The entrance to the building no longer held any interest for Xavier. His mind and his eyes were on Adam’s computer screen, where it seemed to be filtering through the list, giving each number a ranking.
“Most of his calls are random, no significance for they lasted a few minutes at most. However, this number.” He pointed to the screen. “This number has less calls, but the minutes spent on each is significant.”
“Who does that number belong to?”
Adam keyed a few more strokes, then waited. “Hmmm. Good privacy program.” He opened another program, keyed a few strokes, then went back to the original, hit enter and a name appeared.
“Isaac Singleton.”
The two men looked at each other. “I have no idea,” Adam replied to the look Xavier gave. “Let’s run the name.”
“Did the name Trish Hargrove appear in the list of numbers?”
“Yes,” Adam replied without checking. “Is she involved in this…whatever it is?”
Xavier shook his head. “I’m not sure if she is involved or what this is. What we do know is Cannon is leading the charge and I think Isaac Singleton is the mastermind.”
“If that’s true we may have a bit of a challenge ahead.” He turned the screen around. “Meet Isaac Singleton. Self-made Billionaire.”