“And I don’t want to talk to you about all the fun you had last night at the club.” Les put his fists to his hips as though he had a right to feel angry or betrayed. Up until this new development, he hadn’t. “I’m glad you came up early. I don’t have to pay for your lunch now.”
What did she see in this guy again?
Les continued. “I think we should break up.”
“No. Really? Gee, didn’t see that coming.” Eminence crossed her arms. “And here I thought we could still work something out.” She shook her head. “I’m not angry at you.” She stared at the young man. “Or you. Actually I came here to tell you the same thing.”
“But I broke up with you first.”
God, was this guy still in high school?
“Yes, you did. The reason I wanted to break up is because last night I met up with a past love and we had sex.”
The young man gasped. Yeah, like he had a right to be shocked.
“Eminence, it’s okay.” Les turned to the man who must have really captured his heart. The man simply glowed. “I think we both found what we were truly looking for. You didn’t have to tell me, especially in this situation.”
She nodded. “Oh, yes, I did. I’ve lived my life bottling up secrets, so much so that it’s killed a lot of my relationships. I wanted to be honest with you and apologize for being unfaithful.”
Eminence waited for him to come back with an apology of his own. He didn’t have to apologize for his sexual orientation, but she would have thought he would have said sorry for cheating on her as well, for deceiving her all this time.
Instead he said, “Apology accepted.”
Great.
“I hope the two of you are happy. I really do.” She turned to leave.
“Hey,” Les called out to her.
She brought her attention back to him.
“What will you do now?”
Eminence shrugged. “I have some other aspects of my life that I need to straighten out.”
He nodded. “The job?”
She nodded. “That’s one.”
“The man from last night?”
She shook her head. “That’s not the relationship with a man that I’m interested in fixing first.”
It’d taken her years to figure out that in order to have a positive relationship with a man, she needed to start at the root: her father.
* * * * *
Eminence had ridden Tank’s cock and broken his heart. That thought never left Tank’s mind. He couldn’t blame anyone but himself for his newly crushed heart. He’d invited Eminence back into his life, into his bed. Hell, he’d even played with her.
One last call. Fuck! He’d practically given her permission to fuck with him, physically and figuratively.
Tank punched in the key code next to the back door at Reign. Had he not forgotten some of his paperwork and tools at Jordie’s club, he would have been home. At home, he would have been staring at the same bed where Eminence had rocked his world.
Her body had changed since high school. Eminence had developed a killer woman’s body, curves upon curves upon curves. She knew how to move, more than back in that damn closet.
Tank loved touching her. Eminence’s soft skin shouldn’t have left a sense memory, but his fingertips continued to prickle the more he thought about the way he’d moved his hand over the swell of her hip and down the valley of her waist.
The taste, the flavors, the touch, the way her body reacted to him. Despite his best efforts, Tank fell in love with her all over again. What cemented that feeling had to do with how she folded body against his as she slept, and how she reacted to him when they played. Eminence felt comfortable enough to let her guard down to trust him. Then she destroyed him.
A boyfriend. A fucking boyfriend who had gotten to touch her, tease her, pleasure her, probably not as good as he had done it.
Tank stormed to the back room area and picked up a bag of his tools. He knocked over a shelf full of wine glasses when he bent over to pick up a box of paperwork.
“Fuck!” He slammed his tools on top of the box.
“Freeze! I will hurt you!”
Tank saw the glint of the knife in Jordie’s delicate hands before he saw her.
“Sorry. It’s me. It’s Tank.” He spoke slowly and smoothly as to not make her nervous.
After a pause, Jordie peered around the doorframe. When her gaze connected to his, she relaxed her shoulders and lowered the weapon.
“Thank God. I really didn’t want to stab anyone in here.” She leaned against the doorframe. “What are you doing here? I thought you would be packing today.”
“I am. I remembered I left some stuff here.” Tank peered down at the mess around his feet. “I’ll clean this up and pay for it.”
“Never pictured you as a bull-in-a-China-shop type. Big as you are, you always seemed a bit, well, dare I say it, graceful.”
Tank felt himself rolling his eyes. “No man likes to be called graceful.”
“I don’t know. I think a few ballet dancers and basketball players would disagree.”
Tank picked up a broom that sat in the corner of the cramped space.
“No. Don’t worry about it. That’s why I have people who work for me.” She took the broom out of his hand. “So?”
“So what?” He shrugged and wouldn’t fall for her fishing expedition.
“You. Eminence. A ride on that bike of yours.”
He chuckled.
“Did something happen?” she asked.
Tank wanted to tell his friend about the incredible experience. He wanted to share how he had come alive by being with her again. He wanted to scream how opening his own business paled in comparison to being with this goddess.
He shook his head and picked up his items. “She’s with someone.” To say the words out loud hurt him more than keeping the thought rattling around in his head. “She accuses you and me of betraying her and here she is stepping out on her man. And she…” He stopped. “And we…” He stopped again. “Not a big deal. Eminence hasn’t been in my life for the last decade and a half. I’ll be fine without her.”
Tank kissed his friend on the cheek as he walked by her.
“He’s not the one.”
He stopped in his trek and returned his attention to his friend. “What?”
“I talked to Eminence in my office. I encouraged her to settle whatever issues she had with you. I told her that if there was a chance to rekindle the relationship that she should do it. She told me that there was a guy in her life.”
Damn, so even Jordie knew about it and didn’t warn him. Where was the love? Where were his true friends?
“Thanks for the warning.” He started to leave again when her words stopped him.
“As soon as she said she had a man in her life she immediately said ‘He’s not the one’ meaning whoever this guy is or was, he could not and would never compare to you. Don’t you see, Keys? Eminence does care for you. She probably still loves you. You don’t know what’s going on with this man and her. Did you two talk about it?”
“It doesn’t matter.”
“I think it does. Before you leave, I think you owe it to her and owe it to yourself to find out where here heart is.” She glanced down at the shiny shards of glass on the tile floor. “It’s obvious where your head is. Don’t leave out of town and don’t let her out of your life again until you find out for sure. Remember, an assumption was what broke us all up.”
No truer words had been spoken. Right now Tank couldn’t confront her or his feelings right now. If he had a choice to leave with his heart intact or take a chance to have it broken again, he would go for safety, the same advice he’d given to Jordie.
“By the way, why in the world are you trying to protect yourself in your own club?” He wanted to add “and with a knife no less” but he understood why Jordie would never own or use a gun, not after what happened with Reggie. “With all the security measures in here, you shouldn’t have to feel
like you need to protect yourself in your own place.”
Jordie’s smile faded. “I could be wrong, but I think someone is stealing from me. A case of Cristal is missing.”
Tank balled his hand into a fist. “You need me to stay and watch your employees? I’ll do it.”
Jordie touched his hand. “I know. That’s what I love about you. But I’ll be fine. Maybe I miscounted when I did inventory. Or maybe Dru did.”
The mention of his employee’s name stopped Tank’s heart. “Dru helped you with inventory?”
“Yeah.” Jordie must have noticed the look of concern on Tank’s face. She quickly supplied, “I know that’s not a part of his job description. He was just being helpful. I appreciated the assistance.”
Right now Tank couldn’t appreciate the odd coincidence. He would have to make a stop to visit his employee before leaving. If nothing else, maybe Dru saw something.
“Lock up. Watch your employees. Call me whenever you need me.” With those words, he walked out to start the next chapter of his life. Whether Eminence became a part of it was still up in the air.
Tank drove over to Dru’s apartment in Norfolk. Once he got to the door, he pounded on it with his fist. Although he wanted to approach his employee with a calmer demeanor, the more he thought about someone stealing from Jordie, the more his blood boiled.
Tank pounded on the door again.
“Yeah, yeah. This had better be fucking important.” Dru opened the door.
Wearing nothing but boxers shorts, he looked like Tank had interrupted his sleep. If Dru had nothing to do with the missing items, Tank would apologize for waking him. If not, God have mercy on Dru’s soul.
“Tank. What are you doing here?” Dru rubbed his eyes as he leaned against the door jamb. “I thought you would be gone already.”
“I was just over at the club. I had forgotten something over there.” Tank peered into Dru’s place. “Mind if I come in so we can talk?”
Dru peered over his shoulder then back at Tank.
“You have some company over?” Tank stared into Dru’s eyes, watching for any signs of nervousness.
“Nah, I’m here by myself.” Dru took a step to the side. “Come on in.”
Tank stepped into the darkened apartment. Even in the dim light, he saw that his employee did not like to keep a tidy household. Clothes, shoes, and papers littered the floors and counters.
“Make yourself at home. I’ll throw on some pants.” Dru patted Tank on his shoulder before disappearing down a hallway to his bedroom.
“You could have just gotten dressed out here. You have enough clothes lying around.” Tank strolled around the apartment, looking for clues.
He really had no real reason to suspect Dru of any wrongdoings. He had been a model employee. Tank had even toyed with the idea of making the man general manager of the Tidewater region. His gut told him not to leave any stone unturned. He had to know.
“So what are you up to, man?” Dru shuffled back into the living room area and plopped down on the couch.
“Like I said, I was just up at Jordie’s getting some stuff and she shared something with me.” Tank stared at his friend, the same one who, back a few years ago, admitted to stealing before.
Okay so it had been bubblegum and Dru had been five. Still Dru could be reverting back to bad habits.
“What did she say? The place was packed, so I know she has to be happy about that.” Dru rubbed his eyes, then moved his hand to the top of his shaved head and rubbed that as well.
“Do you mind if I get something to drink?” Tank jumped up from the couch and headed to the kitchen area before Dru could answer.
“Grab me something while you’re in there. I’m sure this will be the only time I can ask my boss to do something for me.” Dru laughed.
Tank opened the refrigerator door to grab some water or even a soda. So far he hadn’t seen anything out of place in Dru’s apartment. Then something caught his eye as he turned around. The trash can next to the fridge had garbage overflowing from it. That didn’t surprise Tank. When he saw the familiar gold label, he stopped in his tracks.
Tank pulled the butt end of the bottle from the garbage first before turning it over and looking at the label.
“I know my place is a mess, but surely you can find something to drink.” Dru laughed.
Tank found nothing funny. He stomped into the living room and turned on the overhead light. He wanted to be sure to see the expression on Dru’s face when he confronted him.
“What the hell is this?” Tank held up the empty bottle.
Dru looked at his and smiled. “I’ll say it was the start of a great evening with some twins.” Then he laughed.
Tank slammed the bottle on the coffee table. “Jordie told me that someone took a case of Cristal from her bar. Then I come in here and find—”
“Whoa! Whoa! Whoa!” Dru stood up fast for a man who had just woken up from a deep sleep. “You don’t think I stole anything from her, do you?”
Tank didn’t say anything. He hoped his stare and the evidence would speak for themselves.
Dru shook his head. “Fuck you, man. I thought you were my friend. I can’t believe you would accuse me of doing anything like that.”
“But you never answered the question.”
Dru snickered. “I shouldn’t have to.” He stormed to his door and opened it. “Consider this my resignation. I can’t work for someone who thinks I would steal from my employer.”
With his head held high, Tank walked to the door.
As Tank strolled through it, Dru said, “Call the cops over here if you want. I have nothing to hide. Apparently a backstabber like you have lots to hide.”
Tank turned to Dru. Before he could say anything, Dru got in the last word.
“So much for friendship.” Dru slammed the door.
Tank hated to accuse Dru of anything, but as Jordie’s friend and as his client, he had to ask. He just hoped he’d been wrong. Now he lost Eminence twice and one of his best employees. Maybe he needed to go to start a new life.
Chapter Fourteen
Eminence’s hands trembled as she held onto her cell phone. She wiped away the sweat on her forehead. Taking deep breaths helped her calm her nerves. She still had to make the call. If she didn’t, she wouldn’t be able to heal other relationships in her lives, mainly with Keys.
The day after breaking up with Les, or rather Les breaking up with her, and after giving herself a pep talk, she pressed the speed dial number for her father. It’d been years since she’d spoken to him.
At the first ring, Eminence wanted to disconnect the call. She pressed her free hand onto the table to prevent herself from hitting “end” on the phone. After the second ring, her breathing increased.
The third ring had her rattled. Eminence pulled the phone from her ear to disconnect the call when she heard a click then a voice.
“Is anyone there?”
“Um, Dad.” She swallowed hard and waited for his response.
His long sigh would sound in her head for the rest of her life.
“I’ve waited a long time for this call, too long.” Her father’s voice hitched in the middle of his statement.
A lump formed in Eminence’s throat. She took another deep breath before speaking. “How have you been?”
“I’m fine. And you—”
“And you remarried, right?”
“You heard, huh? Yes, I did. And are you—”
“Any more children?”
“Let’s stop talking about me.”
Damn, her father had figured out what she tried to do, avoid talking about herself. “It’s been so long, Dad. I wanted to talk about you and what’s going on with you.”
“What’s going on with me? I’ve been worried about you. You’ve never left my thoughts.”
“I’ve thought about you, too.”
“Really? What did you think about? Were you thinking about how I taught you how to ride a bike without the train
ing wheels? Or did you think about how I taught you how to drive? Or maybe you thought about how I chaperoned your very first slumber party.”
Eminence hadn’t thought about any of those great memories. “No, I—”
“You’ve only thought about that day you saw me and Lynette.”
She never knew the woman’s real name. Eminence flinched as though the woman had wronged her. “Lynette. That’s her name?”
“You can meet her. You know you’re always welcomed in my home.”
“Dad, I—”
“What? Are you about to tell me that you can’t meet her because you would feel like you would be betraying your mother?” Her father’s tone grew indignant.
“Yes. How could you think I would forget that?”
“And how could you think that I would do anything to hurt you?”
“But—”
“No, I don’t want to argue with you, but you have condemned me and my wife because you assumed something about a situation. You have to stop jumping to conclusions and pushing people away.”
“Yeah, I’ve heard that.” Was she really that judgmental? After what she’d done with Keys, she had no right to be.
“I love you. Your mother loves you. If you give her a chance, Lynette will love you. Instead of judging a situation, I wished you would have just talked to me and your mother first.”
“That day.” Eminence shook her head as though her father could see her. “I saw you kissing her in our house. How could you bring her to our house? I don’t blame Mom for moving out.”
“Honey, even though you’re an adult, there are still things that are private between your mother and my relationship. I will never, ever say anything against your mother. I think I know your mother long enough to know that she would grant me the same courtesy. At least, that’s what I hope. But there are things that occurred between your mother and me that happened long before you saw me kissing Lynette.”
The implication of his statement sounded like perhaps Eminence’s mother hadn’t been faithful to her father first, or perhaps she had been emotionally unavailable and mentally cruel to him. Before she could spout off her theories, her father interrupted her.
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