by Sedona Venez
“That dumb fucker!” Bigsby exclaimed. “I’ll—”
Losing patience, I stopped him. “Let’s cut to the chase, Bigsby. I can make this all go away for twenty million dollars and control of your empire. And, of course, I’ll expect you to disappear.” It was all a bluff. I wanted to know exactly what Bigsby would do now that his back was against the wall.
Bigsby sputtered before saying, “Fuck you, McKay. I’ve built this. I want the fucking recording and my ledger back.”
“What about your boy Jeff? Don’t you want him back, too?”
“I don’t give a shit what you do with his ass. He wasn’t worth shit to me anyway,” Bigsby hissed.
Jeff started screaming because he knew he was going to die.
“I want my ledger and the recording. And if you don’t give them to me, Sin’s dead.”
What the fuck?
I stopped midstride. The muscles in my shoulders bunched.
I didn’t respond well to threats, especially against someone I cared about.
“What makes you think I give a shit if she dies?” I did… and I wanted to break every bone in Bigsby’s body for threatening Sin’s life.
Bigsby laughed. “I’ve been keeping tabs on you and Sin. And it seems like you’ve got something going on with Michaels. I can’t really blame you. She’s simply delectable.”
He was trying to push my buttons, but this was not my first rodeo, dealing with assholes who thought they could best me. Every day, I ate motherfuckers like Bigsby for breakfast and enjoyed it.
I deliberately infused nonchalance into my tone. “Shit. I like a woman who gives good head. What man doesn’t?” I laughed coldly. “But I ain’t planning on marrying her.”
Bigsby sneered. “There’s no honor among thieves, McKay. So let me make things very clear. I either get my fucking ledger back, along with any copies you’ve made of it and the recording, or your sweet little cunt, Sin Michaels, is dead.” He rattled off an address. “I’ll meet you there in seventy-two hours. Ticktock, McKay.”
Our call ended.
“Fuck!” I banged my fist against the table.
Despite the fact that I’d just gotten what I wanted—a meeting with Bigsby—I didn’t want to tell Sin the truth… today. Or that she already knew part of it—due to Tabitha’s big mouth—and wasn’t happy about it.
The only upside of this clusterfuck was that Bigsby’s world was about to collapse. And that he was a desperate man on the verge of losing his power and wealth—equivalent to death for a social climber like Bigsby. I’d heard the desperation in his voice, and I knew he’d do anything to avoid losing it all, even if he had to lie, steal, cheat, and in this case, kill… both Sin and me.
Killing Sin or me? That shit is not happening. Not on my damn watch.
It was time to go to fucking work… meticulously planning Bigsby’s death.
I looked over at Rocco. “Bury Jeff somewhere he won’t be found, and then clean this place and get rid of all the evidence.”
Rocco nodded.
“Please! Don’t… I can help you.” Jeff bucked against the rope binding him to the chair. “Give me a—”
“Time’s up,” Rocco revealed flatly.
Jeff struggled uselessly against the rope.
I looked over at Ram while grabbing my jacket. “Let’s go. We’ve only got seventy-two hours to put things in motion.” And for me to figure out how to finally tell Sin the truth and lay out the plan to protect her.
As I walked out of the warehouse with Ram at my side, my mind buzzed with all the things I needed to do to keep Sin safe from Bigsby. My team was already stretched thin. Rocco was getting rid of Jeff before cleaning up the warehouse. Max was hemming up Tabitha. Zuri was protecting Sin; it was a good thing Zuri was carrying a gun and knew how to use it. Kevin had intel work to get done. Ram and I had to start working on the logistics of my meeting with Bigsby.
And the clock was ticking.
Damn. Seventy-two hours. That’s all we have to get our shit together.
My gut instinct urged me to go to Sin, but logic ruled. I had to work on a plan to take Bigsby down. There would only be one shot to get it right. Any mistakes would get us killed.
I ran my fingers across my hair. Logically, the smart thing would be to move Sin into my penthouse until this shit got resolved. But Sin agreeing to move in would be difficult… especially after I told her the truth tonight.
Ram loudly cleared his throat. “Bro, look… What I said about Sin earlier. Everything cool between us, right?”
“Yeah.” I sighed heavily. “And you’re right. This shit with Sin is a real fucked-up predicament. I had no business getting involved with her.” I eyed him. “But I did, and there ain’t no going back with her. Only forward. No matter the consequences, Sin’s worth the fight to keep her by my side.”
Truth be told, from the moment she’d allowed me into her body, I had known that our fates were sealed and she was mine to protect and care for.
Sin is my present and future… and I’ll fight tooth and nail to keep her in my life.
“Shit,” Ram said, “that’s deep.” He shook his head. “I guess I never thought any woman could replace Maya.”
“Me either. Until Sin.”
Maya had been my balance, my rock. But in one tragic moment, she’d been taken away, leaving me emotionally void—until Sin had unwittingly turned my world around.
Now the thought of Sin walking away from me, from us, was totally unacceptable.
Despite losing every woman I’d ever loved—Maya and Mom—to death and the fact that I still felt haunted by their passing, Sin made me want to try again for another chance at a relationship, companionship, and hopefully… someday… even love. With her.
“Damn, I never thought I’d see the day Core McKay officially took his ass off the Single and Available list.”
A smirk rolled across my face. “Life is full of compromises, and I’m more than willing to make them to be with Sin.” There were so many sides to Sin—sexy, rebellious, sassy, smart, and vulnerable—and I wanted them all.
He clapped me on the back. “Okay. Well then, we’d better hurry up and sort this shit out with Bigsby because we’re going to need to start working on Operation Save Core’s Ass, pronto. How I see it, there’s no doubt in my mind that when you tell her the truth… Sin’s going to go Amazon warrior princess on your ass.”
“Fuck, I’m screwed.” I grunted.
“Yep. So gird your loins, motherfucker.”
PACING ACROSS CISCO’S LOUNGE, I dropped my bag before checking the fitting rooms, making sure each had the correct client gown.
“Still no call,” I muttered after checking my cell clutched in my death grip.
Maybe he was busy.
Walking over to the soft, comfy gray couch and sitting down, I ignored the open complimentary champagne bottle and waiting glasses. No alcohol. I needed to keep a clear head.
I inhaled. Exhaled. Tried to chill the fuck out… then bam! My mind went right back to what-the-fuck mode.
What in the world is going on between Core and Tabitha?
It seemed like no one was who I’d thought they were. I recalled the conversation Tabitha and I had weeks ago when I asked her about my secret investor.
“Why can’t I know his damn name?” I demanded.
Tabitha’s eyes hardened. “Darling, the less you know, the better. Believe me. Sin, I swear to you he’s legit. I wouldn’t get you involved if he wasn’t. You can’t have it both ways. You asked me to find an investor, and I did. You’ve got the money. Isn’t that all that matters now?”
Is it?
Frankly, I didn’t know, but what I did know was that I wouldn’t have been able to complete my collection without Core’s money.
But the nagging feeling that something was off wouldn’t go away.
Why did Tabitha hook me up with Core? And what did she get out of the deal for doing it?
A second thought crept into my mind, an
d it was hard to dismiss. What is Core really after? My business? Me? Or both? And why?
Ariana finally breezed into the room, cell pressed against her ear, with her new bestie, Erika Watson, walking beside her. Both women—in their fifties, slim, and tall—wore their beauty and class well.
Ariana—the older, classically refined version of my bestie, Jade—had porcelain skin, a square face, blue eyes, an upturned nose, and wore her long black hair loose. She was stylish, and as usual, she was looking radiant, wearing a black mid-length sheath dress with peplum detailing around the waist. She’d paired the dress with a cozy gray cape, tan top-handled purse, and matching pointed-toe stilettos. A bold red lip and matching manicure completed her look.
Erika was stunning. The dark richness of her skin contrasted beautifully against her long, white belted coat, black Christian Louboutin pumps, and classic diamond jewelry. She’d styled the look with oversize shades and a slicked-back ponytail.
“Cate, enough!” Ariana screamed into the phone.
“Hello, Erika,” I greeted.
Erika dramatically whipped off her shades and kissed me on the cheek before sitting down and saying, “The full moon must be coming tonight because everyone is losing their damn mind. Between Ariana and Cate going at it all day and you and that woman downstairs, everyone is either battle ready or battle weary. Which one are you?”
I replied, “Definitely battle ready.” I poured her a glass of champagne.
Erika laughed. “A woman after my own heart. That must be why I like your ass so much.” She winked at me. “Just let me know if you need backup, because I’m not afraid to kick off my red-bottoms and get to kicking ass.”
I grinned at the television producer voted most likely to bitch-slap an actor. “And that’s why you’re my favorite client.” I gave her a high-five.
I wasn’t kidding. I adored Erika’s vibe. She was remarkably laidback for a woman who’d achieved so much, so fast. She was an award-winning writer and producer who created hit TV shows. She was also the first black woman to create and executive produce a top ten network series—a series starring Jade, my best friend.
“Love the bracelet,” Erika commented. “I meant to compliment you on your excellent taste in jewelry when you wore it to Bigsby’s gala.” She paused. “It’s Victorian Scottish, right?”
“Yes. It’s special… an heirloom that belonged to my Scottish great-grandmother. My dad gave it to me before he died.” I swallowed hard over the emotions welling up inside me. “It’s the only piece of my heritage and my family that I have left.”
“Oh, sweetie.” She comfortingly touched my shoulder. “I’m sorry for your loss.”
“It’s been years, but you know… the shit still hurts.” It did, and the pain would never go away.
“I know. Losing people we love is never easy.” Her eyes clouded over with emotion. “It leaves you hollow.”
I nodded in agreement.
“Do you mind?” Her fingers hovered over my wrist with the bracelet clasped around it.
I shrugged. “Nope.”
She examined the jewelry. “It suits you.” Her lips curled up at the edges. “And I’m happy it finally found a home.” Then she abruptly slapped my leg. “Enough of this sad stuff. Viva la vida.”
We both held our glasses in the air before taking a sip.
“Wait… viva la vida… Isn’t that a Coldplay song?” My lips curled up.
“Yep,” Erika retorted. “It means live life. And you and I are going to rock the hell out of this life while we still have it.” She winked. “So are you ready for me to get all sexy?”
“You’re set up in the second room,” I responded.
I completely forgot about the phone war Ariana was waging until she growled into her cell, “I’ll be damned if I let you marry that sleazy bastard.”
She didn’t mention his name, but I knew exactly who the “sleazy bastard” was—Bigsby.
“Bigsby at it again?” I asked Erika.
“Of course.” Erika rolled her eyes. “But what’s new about that shit?” She pursed her full lips. “The man is an utter douche bag. After what Ariana just found out about him, at least I can finally convince my husband to drop his support of Bigsby for mayor of New York. Now my world is complete.”
“I can’t blame you.” I shuddered. “Every time I’m around Bigsby, I want to douse my body with holy water to rid myself of his evil vibes.”
“He creeps everyone out. It’s his greasy used car salesman personality.” She stuck her tongue out in disgust.
“Are we done?” Ariana yelled.
“And, as usual, Ariana and Cate are like two pit bulls in skirts.” Erika grimaced, eyeing Ariana. “If I wanted to hear that shit, I could have stayed at work and listened to the overpaid divas bitch about who had more lines.” Getting up, she swayed toward the fitting room, slamming the door behind her.
“Blah, blah, blah. I don’t give a shit what he thinks. God, I hate that fucker Bigsby,” Ariana hissed. “I made no damn secret about the fact that I’d hired Irvin to investigate his ass.”
I recalled what Jade had told me—that Ariana, Cate, and Jade were the last members of the Bellisario dynasty and each worth millions. And if anyone wanted to date a Bellisario, they got investigated thoroughly. According to Jade, most guys just ungracefully bowed out because they couldn’t deal with Irvin, the investigative proctologist.
“I’m done with this conversation, Cate. And no, I’m not going to tell Irvin to back off until you publicly call off your engagement. Good-bye. Yes, I’m hanging up, Cate,” Ariana barked before tossing her cell into her handbag. “Family. Can’t live with them. Can’t fucking kill them.”
She flopped down next to me and kissed my cheek. I loved Ariana because she was beautiful inside and out. When Dad had died and Grace had disowned me, Ariana had taken me into her family, treating me like I was her daughter.
“How are you, darling?”
“You saw that shit downstairs. I’m pissed, but I gather from your conversation, you’re not too chipper yourself.” I arched a brow. “So what’s going on?”
Ariana Bellisario—a philanthropist, heiress, and successful businesswoman—was Jade’s mother and also a member of the illustrious group of New York socialites. Her sister, Cate Bellisario, was older than Ariana by a couple years. To some, that made Cate the most powerful member of the Bellisario family. She was using that status among the New York elite to get her fiancé, Bigsby Calhoune, a wealthy shipping mogul, elected as New York City mayor.
“Irvin, my private investigator, finally found the skeletons in Bigsby’s closet.”
Erika peeked out of the dressing room, making eye contact with me in a See, we were right about Bigsby moment before disappearing back into the room.
My mouth fell open before closing with a snap. “What did Irvin find out?” I had no qualms asking because Ariana and Jade were family. All three of us had been by each other’s sides in the best and worst of times. And I would never reveal anything they’d told me because I loved and trusted them as much as they did me.
“The Feds are secretly investigating Bigsby over some shady business going on with Pomtonic International.” Ariana scowled. “Irvin says his source told him it’s a shell company that’s cleaning sex traffickers’ money.”
I blinked in shock. “Sex traffickers?”
“Oh, it gets worse.” Ariana took a huge swallow of champagne. “According to Irvin, those same traffickers are laundering money through UF-Star. That is why the Feds were digging into UF-Star in the first place.”
My brows came together in a puzzled frown. “He’s into sex trafficking and money laundering, and he has the Feds on his ass? That news bomb can’t be good for Cate or the Bellisario name.”
“Exactly. There’s no fucking way we want our family name being linked to this shit. That’s why I told Cate she has to break off her engagement to Bigsby and publicly denounce any association with him.”
I repl
ied, “Well, there goes his political ambitions and his bid for New York City mayor.”
“Exactly. It’s a wrap, and the only one who doesn’t get it is Cate.” She ran her fingers through her hair.
I pressed my lips together in a slight grimace. “Knowing Cate, her reaction must have been a hissy fit worthy of a reality show cast member.”
Cate was a ruthless, conniving, manipulative woman who would think nothing about taking down the most powerful people in New York unless they played nice with her and kowtowed to her every whim.
“When I told her what I found out, it was a clusterfuck. Cate accused me of being jealous because she’s finally found the love of her life and I’m still alone.” Ariana’s upper lip curled in disdain. “I’m not alone. I’m in a relationship with a lawyer Erika hooked me up with—not that I’d ever tell Cate that because she’d just use that shit against me and try to break us up because she can’t stand to see me happy.” She paused. “With Cate, it’s always some damn competition that I’ve never been interested in participating in. She can’t get past the fact that our parents always favored me when they were alive.”
I snorted. “That woman only loves herself.”
“Exactly. Anyhoo, things got ugly, and Cate left my house in a huff. She’s been calling me all day, trying to get me to back off, but I won’t. Push comes to shove, I’d even go as far as leaking the Bigsby information to the media.”
“That’s not a good idea, Ariana. The bad press might backfire, hurting you and Jade in the end.” I countered.
“Yes, but we’re damned if we do and damned if we don’t. I need to get ahead of the Manhattan gossip rags by putting my own spin on the information and releasing it first. But more importantly, despite the fact that Cate and I have never been on the best of terms, she’s family, and blood is thicker than water.”
I frowned. “Hopefully, Cate will dump him.”
