“One more thing. Are you part owner of Somebody’s Gotta Be on Top?”
“No, I’m not,” Jada lied. “That’s my son’s company. Why do you ask?”
“Great! Then can you facilitate a meeting with my company and your son’s? We really want his input for our featured film.”
“I have a client on the other line,” Jada lied to get Mr. Reynolds off the phone. “I’ll give Darius your information today, and I’ll speak with you tomorrow. Good-bye Mr. Reynolds.”
Jada stared at the blank page. Tiny black dots formed each time the pen tapped. Who was this Mr. Reynolds? She’d never heard of him before. What film festival? Did he really want her assistance or was he trying to find out more about Darius’s company?
Jada left her office and drove to Darius’s home. She parked in his driveway. Slowly she approached the door and rang the doorbell. Waited. Knocked. Waited again. Jada fumbled through her purse and retrieved her keys to Darius’s house. Slowly she unlocked the top, then the bottom.
Pushing the door, Jada said, “Hello. Is anybody home?”
No answer. Music was playing softly throughout the house. Jada tapped on Ashlee’s door. The guest bedroom door. The other doors. Then Darius’s bedroom door. No answers. She opened Darius’s door. His room was designed for a king. Royal purple smothered in a rich gold and deep black covered his bed.
Jada shuffled through the stack of papers on Darius’s credenza. Neatly she searched every drawer. His nightstands were filled with condoms. Jada noticed a black briefcase peeping from underneath the bed. She retrieved the case, slid the gold latches, and was happy they released. Jada opened the case. Photos of naked women spilled onto the carpet. Black. White. Asian. Latino. Some nationalities she couldn’t identify.
“Jada? Is that you?”
When Jada looked up, Ashlee was standing in the doorway. “Oh.” Jada hurriedly stuffed the pictures back inside, closed the case, then pushed it under the bed. “Yeah, I just lost my earring.”
“Underneath Darius’s bed?”
Jada stood, brushed her pants, and walked over to Ashlee. “Yes. That’s all.”
“What were you looking for?”
“Ashlee, come here. Sit.” Jada patted the sofa in Darius’s bedroom. “I need to speak with you.”
“I don’t think we should be in Darius’s room. He likes his privacy. Besides, I came by to get a few things I’d left. I’ll talk with you in the living room.”
“Fine.” This child really needed professional help, Jada thought. Ashlee was in denial of her true feelings for Darius. Jada glanced around Darius’s room, making certain she’d left everything in its place.
“Is something wrong?” Ashlee asked.
“Yes, there is. I need to know what you know about Ciara.”
“Darius told us not to discuss business-related issues with anyone who wasn’t involved.”
“Ashlee, look at me. I’m Darius’s mother. And I was once like a mother to you. I am involved.” Jada couldn’t believe she was so desperate to save her son that she was snooping behind Darius’s back.
“I know,” Ashlee said. “But it’s confidential. I can’t.”
“What’s really confidential between you and Darius? I’ve seen the way you two look at one another.”
“If you mean are we intimately involved, no. If you mean are we in love, yes.”
“Ashlee, how could you? Darius is your brother.”
“I know it’s not right. But I can’t help how I feel about him. Or how he feels toward me. That’s why I moved out. I’m going on detail to San Francisco.”
“Ashlee, let me tell you something about love. If in your heart you feel a relationship is not right, don’t go there. Love is sacred, not selfish. You and Darius have a special kind of love. One that allows the two of you to depend on each other no matter what. That’s what you want to preserve. Your friendship of love. You were smart to move out of Darius’s house. Because if you ever cross the line with Darius, he’ll hurt you just like all the rest. You know how Darius is. He loves women.” Jada thought about showing Ashlee the pictures. That was a bad idea. “Darius needs your love. But he doesn’t need to be your lover. I’ve got to go.”
En route to the restaurant, Jada thought about what she’d tell Darius if Ashlee told him she was searching through his belongings. Jada valet parked at Alex’s. Stopping at the host, Jada saw Candice waving and said, “Never mind. I see her.”
“Hey, girl. I’m glad to see you.”
“Me, too,” Jada said, wrapping her arms around Candice’s shoulders. “Two mimosas please.”
“This is just like old times. I missed my friend.” Candice smiled.
The waiter placed two champagne flutes on the table. Jada raised her glass and said, “A toast. To success. Your film. My life. Our money.”
When the crystal clanged, Candice said, “Jada, I just want you to know. I never stopped being your friend.”
Jada looked at Candice and said, “I know.”
CHAPTER 42
Darius lay across his bed waiting for Kimberly to finish her shower. The day was long. The evening was early. Six o’clock. The fifth day of Ciara’s threat. Darius didn’t trust driving his car, or working in his office. But no woman could punk him out of being at his own house. Ashlee’s flight was departing to San Francisco in four hours. Ashlee insisted on taking a late-night flight and traveling alone. Maybe she was spending time with Kevin. Darius tried clearing his mind and thinking about nothing like his mother did when she meditated.
Darius hurriedly answered his cellular, “Yeah, what’s up?”
In an already disappointed tone, the familiar voice of Crystal on the opposite end replied, “Hey, daddy. What time you coming home to mama?”
Darius sensed the underlying tension in her voice. She knew he’d lie to her again and couldn’t understand why she kept subjecting herself to unnecessary pain. At the moment he was too busy to care and replied, “I told you I’m working late. Why do you keep calling and asking me the same annoying-ass question? Maybe you’re right. Maybe you are losing your damn mind.”
Silence lingered. He could picture the tears welling in her sad brown eyes. Darius couldn’t remember when he’d begun treating Crystal badly but his patience had grown shorter by the day. And any day the shit was going to explode because he was tired of Crystal calling him all the damn time.
“Look,” he continued, breaking the stillness. “I gotta go.”
“But—”
Darius hung up, rolled over, then kissed Kimberly on the ass. “Give daddy some brain.” He needed more than just head. Darius wanted Kimberly to suck him unconscious so he could forget that Crystal existed.
At least Kimberly knew what she was doing. Not like the college student he’d fucked last night. Whatever her name was. Any female that sucked his dick within four hours of meeting him wasn’t worth remembering no matter how fine she was.
Kimberly worked her magic. Slurping. Stroking. Nibbling on his head until waves of semen flowed. Just as the last wave disappeared into her mouth, his cell phone rang. Darius ignored the call.
“Get daddy a hot towel and some juice.”
Kimberly bounced her booty until she was out of his sight.
Darius’s phone rang again. Blocked call. Darius massaged his drooping penis. Kimberly cleaned his pubic hairs, balls, and dick.
Darius yelled into the phone, “What? Crystal, I told you—”
“Hey, mein. This is Kevin. Your office is burning down. Get over here. Now!”
Darius leaped from the bed. “What the fuck did you just say?”
“Get over here right away, mein. Somebody’s Gotta Be on Top Enterprises is up in flames!”
“What’s wrong?” Kimberly asked, sitting up in the bed.
“My office building is on fire,” Darius answered, hopping on one leg to put pants on his naked body.
“Did you know you were calling Ciara’s name in your sleep?” Kimberly asked, pressin
g the power button on the remote.
Who gave a fuck! Women. His office was burning down and all Kimberly could say was he called Ciara’s name in his sleep. Fuck Ciara! Darius heard Monica’s voice, “Run for cova muthafucka.”
“Aw, shit!” Darius mouthed, “Ashes to Ashlee.” So that’s what that meant.
Darius raced out the door, dialing Ashlee’s number from his cell. Ashlee was the only woman alive worthy of becoming his wife. And as soon as he divorced Ciara, he was going to do right by Ashlee.
The call dropped immediately when he closed his car door. “This is bullshit!” Darius hit redial. The call dropped again. The third time he heard, “Hi, you’ve reached Ashlee Anderson of . . .” Fourth. Fifth. Sixth. Seventh. Darius tried again.
Darius drove as fast as he could until he arrived at his office. Flames surrounded the perimeter. Firefighters raced out of the burning building. Darius ran to Kevin shouting, “Where is she, man?” For a second, Darius thought about his palm pilot and how he’d seen Kevin sneaking into his office from the back stairway.
“I spoke with her a few hours ago. She should be en route to the airport,” Kevin replied.
“Whew!” Darius’s back hand swiped his sweaty forehead. “So this is what those messages meant,” Darius mumbled.
“What messages, mein? The ones in all those boxes stacked in your cabinet?”
Darius shifted his eyes toward Kevin. “Yeah, you know. The ones you searched every time you snuck into my office. I should whup your ass.” Darius closed his eyes and prayed, thanking God he’d sent Ashlee to San Francisco. Yeah, it was eight o’clock. Ashlee was at the airport. Darius’s insurance company would cover all damages.
“Mein, look out!” Kevin yelled, pushing Darius aside. A computer chair flew out from the top-floor window.
“Help,” the voice was faint. Ashlee stood in the window, then suddenly disappeared coughing behind a cloud of smoke.
“Ashlee! I’m coming to save you!” Darius yelled. “Kevin, give me your shirt and socks.” Darius wrapped the cotton shirt around his face, placed the socks on his hands, and then raced into the flames.
“Stop!” The firefighters restrained Kevin, but were unable to catch Darius.
What have I done? I’mma die in here. I can’t see shit, Darius thought as he crawled up the back stairs to the third floor. Lord, please, Jesus. I know I’m not supposed to open this door. If it’s my time. Darius ripped his pants leg, double wrapped his hand, reached up and turned the knob. He stumbled over Ashlee’s motionless body lying in the hallway. Through the smoke, water, and flames, Darius gasped for air. His legs buckled when he tossed Ashlee over his shoulder.
Darius thought, Ashlee, I got you into this. And I swear I’ll get you out alive even if it kills me.
CHAPTER 43
The hospital’s waiting room was quiet. Kevin discreetly observed Jada. She was fine for an older woman. Wellington. Looked like money. Candice, in her younger days, she was probably fine as hell. Not now. Terrell. Aging actor trying to stay young-looking. Darryl sat next to Kevin eyeing Jada.
The ambulances had rushed Darius and Ashlee to emergency. Grateful those firemen caught him, Kevin questioned his love for Ashlee. He had no intentions of making it past the firemen like Darius but he had to pretend, so he could lie to Ashlee about how he tried to save her life.
Kevin whispered, “Dad, stop staring.”
“I’m not. Unless I close my eyes, I have to look someplace. Right?” Darryl’s red eyes shifted to Kevin. “I’m so glad Darius didn’t die in that fire you know. We’re really bonding. He’s actually quite funny when he’s relaxed. And he handles that basketball like he handles his business, intelligently. I pray this accident doesn’t ruin Darius’s chances of going pro. ”
If Darius was so intelligent, why didn’t he keep better account of his money? Kevin shook his head, doubting Darryl would’ve taken the first flight out to LA if it were him in the hospital.
The nurse entered, interrupting his thoughts. “Is anyone here from the Anderson family?”
Kevin glanced around the room. Jada was curled on the sofa sleeping in Wellington’s lap. With the support of a pillow braced behind his head, Wellington was also asleep. Kevin glanced around the room again. Ashlee’s family wouldn’t get into town until late night, early morning. Kevin stood. “You can talk to me.”
“And how are you related?”
Kevin lied, “She’s my fiancée.”
“Come with me,” the nurse said, extending her hand.
“Wait a minute.” Jada quickly stood.
Wellington sat up straight. “Huh, what. What’s going on?”
“I’m coming too,” Jada insisted. “I’m her ex-mother-in-law.”
The nurse ushered them. “Please, come quickly.”
Following the nurse out the door, Jada said, “Wellington, you can go back to sleep. We’re going to see about Ashlee.”
The nurse led them to the burn unit. “They’ll bring her to this room shortly. But I wanted to explain her injuries. Thanks to the brave young man, your son,” the nurse touched Jada’s hand, “she’s alive. We need to keep her a while.”
“What’s a while?” Jada questioned.
“We’re not sure. Maybe a week. Some patients heal faster than others. She has second-degree burns to the left side of her face as well as neck and back. Later she can decide if she wants dermabrasion or skin grafts. If you truly love her, sir,” the nurse looked at Kevin, “she’s going to need you now more than ever before. Her face won’t ever look the same.”
When the nurse displayed the photos, Kevin gasped. Jada gagged. One arm hugged her stomach, the other cupped her mouth. Jada raced into the bathroom.
“Oh, my gosh.” Tears rolled down Kevin’s face.
Ashlee’s facial skin blended with flesh and blood. The nurse placed the pictures in her pocket and said, “Her back is slightly worse. She’s heavily sedated so you can stay a few minutes and come back tomorrow.”
“I’m not leaving,” Kevin said, sitting in the chair.
“Kevin, don’t,” Jada said, drying her hands with a paper towel.
Kevin tightened his lips. His hands clamped then lay on his forehead. His head rested against the back of the chair. “I knew something was going to happen. I just didn’t know what. If I had said something, maybe this wouldn’t have happened.”
Jada frowned at Kevin. “Kevin, what are you talking about?”
The nurse stared at Kevin. “What are you talking about? How could you have known something was going to happen?”
Kevin shook his head. “I don’t know. I don’t know what I know. All I know is . . . oh, my God!”
“What, Kevin? What do you know?” Jada asked.
“Darius . . .”
“Darius, what?” Jada stooped to Kevin’s face level. “Look at me, Kevin.”
The nurse said, “Darius is fine, Kevin. Amazing, but all Darius has are a few first-degree burns and minor bruises. Nothing serious. We’re holding him for observation. He should be released tomorrow or at the latest the next day.”
Kevin’s eyes widened. “Darius knew someone was trying to kill Ashlee. He had tons of boxes in his storage room with threatening messages.”
The nurse gasped, “We were advised this was an accident. But with that information, I have to report this to the authorities.” The nurse quickly left the room.
“Kevin, why in the hell would you say something like that? You made her believe Darius was responsible for Ashlee’s injuries.”
“Well, he didn’t say anything. Did he?”
Jada yelled, “You conniving bastard! Why would Darius risk his life? I never did trust you.”
The nurse raced into the room. “I’m going to have to ask both of you to wait in the waiting room. The police are on their way to take a report.”
“I’ll be back,” Kevin said, standing tall.
Jada yelled, “You’d better not tell the police Darius is responsible for this!”<
br />
Leaving the room, Kevin said, “Don’t worry. I’ll only tell them what I know.”
Jada scurried by Kevin, then looked back. “Yeah, you do that and I’ll tell them everything I know too. About you.”
“You don’t know nothin’ about me, lady.” Jada couldn’t intimidate him. Kevin could lie to the officers and have Darius arrested. But how could Kevin avoid giving his statement in front of Darryl?
Kevin entered the unisex restroom and turned the latch. He dialed Ciara’s number. “Yeah, Darius is going to be in the hospital a day or so. Have your attorney draw up the documents and I’ll sign them. So by the time Darius is released, you’ll have full ownership of both your companies.”
Ciara asked, “How much do you want?”
“Your loyalty. That’s all.” Kevin hung up the phone, smiled, then opened the door. “What the hell?” Kevin braced himself then stepped backward.
Jada’s ear was pressed against the door.
CHAPTER 44
“Wellington, go ahead without me, honey. I’ll meet you at the hospital,” Jada said, stuffing a tote bag with ointments, gauze, and tape for Darius to take home.
“Okay, ba. I’ll see you there. You know this son of ours is always getting into something. This accident may be just what he needed to wake him up. I’m just sorry Ashlee was hurt in the process.” Wellington kissed Jada’s lips. “I love you.”
“Yeah, me too. I mean about Darius. And I love you too, honey,” Jada replied, inconspicuously gazing at the time on her watch. Her eyes trailed Wellington until he vanished beyond the doorway, down the stairs. He was still sexy. Handsome. Just like the night they’d met in San Francisco at the Will Downing concert. When Jada heard the front door close, she dialed Theo from the bedside cordless.
“Hey, babydoll. You’re late. You were supposed to call me over an hour ago.”
“I know. But I couldn’t.” Jada became silent. Nervous. Then said, “Okay, I’m listening.”
“Well, your son is in serious trouble.”
“Just tell me.” Jada had enough worries. Nausea invaded her stomach.
“For starters, he’s bankrupt and doesn’t know it.”
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