by Ashley
“Stop saying that,” Sutton snapped. “You know that wasn’t my intention. I didn’t know anyone would be on that rig. Panicking does nothing but get me locked up. The plan is still the plan.”
“You didn’t know a lot, Sutton. You didn’t do the research. You didn’t put us up on game. You just decided. You made the choice for us all and now a little boy is laid up in the hospital while you pick out fancy dresses for a date,” Honor added.
“It’s not a date,” Sutton defended.
“Bitch, then why you putting on your good bra?” Honor asked.
“Because she’s gonna let that nigga hit if it comes down to that,” Ashton answered.
“It isn’t a date,” Sutton reiterated. “We’re discussing the arrangements of our deal. By the end of the night, I’ll have Sinclair Enterprises contracted.”
“Don’t you think we’ve caused enough harm, Sutton?” Luna asked. “Two people are dead. Isn’t that payback enough?”
“You don’t have to keep reminding me. I know what happened,” Sutton replied.
“And revenge isn’t yours to measure,” Ashton added. “I lost a baby. Look at my face, Gadget.” Ashton still bore bruises from the beating she had endured. Her pretty face was swollen and marred with black and green marks; there was a red clot on the white of her left eye. She was in bad shape. The indentation of August’s hands was left on her thighs, bruising in the shape of his fingertips. Ashton couldn’t even recall exactly what had occurred. Everything else had been a blur. There had to be a price to pay for that violation. People only got so much time in one lifetime. It wasn’t unlimited. August had taken a bit from Ashton. A little life was reduced, a little self-respect, a little dignity. He had done the unforgiveable and all because he felt entitled. Sutton and Ashton felt justified; they didn’t care Luna and Honor held reservations.
By the time Sutton finished, she was the picture of perfection. The nude-colored, high-waisted, wide-leg pants she wore were high fashion, but the cropped baby T-shirt she accessorized it with gave it some edge. She wore a matching nude blazer on top. Big earrings and slicked-back short hair that gave her an effortless look finished off her ensemble.
“I’ve got to get to the office. He’s sending a car for me. I’ll FaceTime you guys when I get home to fill you in,” Sutton said, as she leaned over to slip into her heels. “Lock up on your way out.”
Sutton took the expressway and was downtown in half an hour. On the elevator ride from the parking garage to the lobby, she felt butterflies fill her. Dating was something she hadn’t done in years. She was a pretty face with ugly scars inside and the trust issues she held were emotional baggage. She hated to even play this cat and mouse game. The chase, the hunt. She wasn’t in it for that. If she had known who he was when she had originally met him, she would have never let him sneak between her thighs. Now lines were blurred. West had one goal and Sutton had another. She knew he didn’t take her seriously because all he could see her as was the woman who had been willing to sleep with him after an hour’s interaction on a rooftop. It wasn’t the best first impression and not her finest moment. Tonight, she would remedy that.
As promised, a car was waiting at the entrance to her office building. She pushed out of the revolving door and headed toward the black SUV.
“Ms. LaCroix?” the driver asked as he stepped out and rounded the front of the car.
She nodded. “Good evening,” she greeted. The driver opened the back door and to her surprise, West stepped out, unbuttoning his jacket. Gray suit, Oxford shirt, wheat-colored shoes. He was always so well put together.
Fine ass, Sutton thought, slowing down her stride as she neared the car.
“I thought you would meet me there,” she said.
“So, you thought I was a man with no home training, basically?” West asked, rubbing the back of his neck and wincing as he stared down at her.
“I mean, this is business. It’s not exactly required. I didn’t expect a personal escort.”
“Your firm is hired,” West stated.
“What?” Sutton was taken aback.
“You have the job. Now that we have business out of the way, I’d still like to take you to dinner. I see the businesswoman. I respect it. I’m confident that you’re capable. I’ve done my research on your firm. I’m entrusting the state of Sinclair Enterprises to you. But the woman, the one who threw caution to the wind and let me have my way for one night, is the one I haven’t really been able to stop thinking about. No lie, the image in my head has been a beautiful distraction.”
“What image is that? Me naked in your bed?” Sutton asked.
“You standing underneath the stars on that rooftop.”
His answer surprised her, warmed her even. “I’ll give you two hours,” she said.
He nodded. “You know, I don’t think I’ve ever encountered this much pushback from a woman,” he said as he slid inside the back seat. Sutton moved over to make room for him.
“I’m sure women make it real easy for you,” she replied, blushing. She thought about their first encounter, how she had made it easy too. Too easy. The easiest. He had to be judging her. He had to have a misconception of who she was and what she stood for. She was positive he thought this night would end the same way.
“I don’t sleep with men on the first night,” she said, staring him in the eyes. “I don’t even know how I allowed it to happen.”
“‘First night’ is still a thing? Women still think about shit like that?” he asked, scoffing.
“I don’t speak for all women. It’s just something I don’t go around doing,” Sutton stated.
“Guess it’s a good thing that tonight is night number two,” West said. He looked out the window and Sutton’s mouth fell open at his frankness.
Who the fuck does this nigga think he is?
“That’s so forward I don’t even know what to say,” she said, laughing.
“So, she laughs,” he noted, turning toward her.
“When it’s funny,” she replied.
“It ain’t that funny,” he said, joining her amusement. Sutton focused on his teeth. They were beautiful and his lips were full. She knew firsthand they were soft. He had used them in places that made her weak. The pulse in between her legs made her turn her gaze elsewhere.
“It’s hilarious,” she teased.
They pulled up to the restaurant and West helped Sutton from the car.
It was a Friday night so the popular, five-star venue was crowded but West bypassed the line.
“Mr. Sinclair, it’s nice to see you. You and your guest can follow me right this way,” the hostess stated.
West’s hand to the small of her back steered Sutton through the restaurant. Their table was lit by one candle in a private section. West pulled out her chair and Sutton sat as he got comfortable across from her.
“Tonight’s specials—”
“We’ll take one of everything on the menu,” he said.
Sutton smiled. He was used to being in charge and he carried the power well.
“So, tell me how you ended up with the Sinclairs,” Sutton said.
“Is that a question or a demand?” West asked.
She smiled. “A demand. I’m a little bossy. You’ll get used to it.”
“To get the opportunity to get used to Sutton LaCroix,” he answered, chuckling as he pondered the idea for a bit. “Hmmph.”
West sat back in his chair, folding one leg over the other. Normally, Sutton hated men who sat that way. She had always deemed it a weak man’s tell, but West made it look like money. Like he had been around groups of men who retired for brandy and cigars at the end of a social night. He sat with such confidence and prestige. The nigga’s aura screamed important.
“Are you going to answer the question?” she pressed.
“They adopted me when I was young. Took me out of a real bad situation and welcomed me with the purest intentions. Gave me the same opportunities as their blood-born children. They
were real good to me.…” West said, voice lowering and trailing off.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have asked,” she said. “You just lost them. I didn’t realize you were that close to them. You’re their son and I’m prying.”
“It’s all good,” West answered. “I’m used to people being curious. You know, I buried them today. The two people who changed my life. Doesn’t even feel real.”
“And it was right back to business for you? You didn’t want to take time off?” Sutton asked.
“I wanted to do what Senior would have done, and that’s make sure this company recovers. He poured everything into it. So will I,” West declared.
Sutton understood that. She admired that. She functioned the same way. She didn’t know how to turn off her desire to build. All she ever did was work. She hadn’t even missed the company of a man because she barely had time for herself, but sitting with West felt overdue. She hated to admit it, but he was excellent company.
“What about you? Tell me something. I’m not gon ask you no wildly intrusive shit like you did me, but I’d love to hear something intimate. Something that explains who you are,” West said.
Sutton tensed and he noticed.
“I don’t use people’s weaknesses against them, Sutton.”
She looked at him in shock. The sincerity couldn’t be mistaken for anything less than honesty. She let out a breath of angst. “Fine, umm let’s see,” she started. “My favorite color is black.”
“That’s the starter kit of getting to know someone.” He chuckled. “You’re going to make me work for this, huh?”
Sutton rolled her eyes. “Okay, fine, I’m afraid of failure,” she said.
“You want to come a little deeper with me?” he asked.
Sutton’s foot tapped against the floor. “That was something, right?”
“Barely,” he answered, licking his lips, eyes sparkling.
“You like to see me uncomfortable,” she said, twisting up her mouth as she bit inside her lip. “How deep do you want me to go?”
“Drown,” he answered.
She looked him in the eyes.
“What’s the worst thing you’ve ever done?” he asked.
Sutton’s heart felt like it stopped beating. He had no idea her greatest sin was tied to his hurt. Her eyes prickled. She didn’t know what to say. She couldn’t even think of a good lie because guilt was holding her tongue hostage.
He stared at her and Sutton cleared her throat as she looked down to avoid eye contact.
“I don’t even really know how to answer that,” she said.
She was grateful when his phone rang. The grip on her heart eased some as West switched his focus. It was a welcome interruption.
“I wouldn’t normally take this but…”
“No, please, go ahead, I understand,” she replied. He stood and stepped away from the table as he talked into the phone. Body language spoke volumes and Sutton didn’t miss the change in his temperament.
She saw the look of horror cross his face in a flash before anger settled onto his brow as the person on the other end of the phone delivered a message.
“I’m on my way,” he said, ending the call as he approached the table. “I’ve got to go. You can take the car home. My driver will get you where you need to be.” He removed his wallet and motioned for the waitress, asking for the bill. The night was coming to an abrupt end.
“Is everything okay?” Sutton asked as she stood and gathered her handbag.
“I’m telling you this because you now work with Sinclair Enterprises and this will affect your ability to do your job. The explosion wasn’t an accident. The police have confirmed that there was foul play involved. It’s now a homicide investigation.”
Sutton’s stomach bottomed out. This was the last thing Sutton needed. If they knew the rig was blown purposefully, they would open a criminal investigation. The stakes had just been raised and Sutton feared the worst.
“What exactly did they say?” she asked.
“They found evidence of explosives in the debris and the body of a diver floating miles from the wreckage,” West said.
“What does that mean?” Sutton asked. Her heart sank and her stomach hollowed with guilt. Fear made her grip her wineglass too tightly. Her ass was on the line. This was bad. She had left a trail of bread crumbs behind and this dead diver was a sure way to get caught. She watched his disposition change. With her, he was a finesser. He was smooth, a gentleman. After receiving this news, he had transformed before her very eyes. She saw his brow dip in discontent, the anger flaring in his eyes, and his shoulders bricked. He went cold. He motioned for the check and then fingered his goatee. He was no longer on a dinner date. He had disappeared into his mind, trying to piece together the puzzle of this attack on his family. He was declaring war and had no idea he was sitting across from the general of the opposition.
He pushed back out of his chair. “It means my parents were murdered. I don’t mean to cut this short, but my head is all over the place. Can we—?”
“Of course,” she said, voice trembling, hands shaking. She was trying her hardest to keep her composure. Her mind was spinning. She needed to get to her office, to her sisters, so they could figure out what the hell had happened. Something had gone wrong and Sutton had to cover her tracks to avoid being discovered.
CHAPTER 11
“We want to warn our viewers beforehand that the visuals and graphics you are about to see may be disturbing to some at home. Sometime early this morning, a huge explosion erupted near the shore of the Atlantic Ocean. The images you see are the remains of the sharks and sea animals that were direct victims of this catastrophic explosion. As you can see, various animal rights activists and organizations are there trying to help save as many survivors as possible. Local authorities have confirmed the three bodies and one survivor who was airlifted and transported to Texas Medical Center. Apparently, a Latino scuba diver was one of the people pronounced dead. The names of the deceased have yet to be released as officials try to figure out what exactly went wrong. The only news that we know as of now is that the rig that caused the spill belonged to Sinclair Enterprises. More details are to follow about this devastating incident. You can find out more about this on Houston’s own News 12…”
Sutton quickly turned off the television that sat in her office as they all sat there in disbelief. It was in the early morning and their office had just opened for business. All of the girls were silent as worry and fear took a seat at the table. Shit had gone left quickly. The news of one of the divers being killed had taken them all by surprise. This plan had gone from bad to worse. Gadget had her phone set for Google alerts surrounding all their clients. As soon as another report came in regarding the rig explosion, she found out in real time and quickly turned on the television. This discovery was troubling. This mistake could lead back to them.
“Were you careful?” Honor asked.
“I think so,” Sutton answered.
“You think so or you know so?” Honor pressed.
“I was, but I can’t control how careful these divers were. They fucked up,” Sutton hissed. She quickly went to her desk and grabbed her burner phone, dialing the number to the original SEAL she’d hired. The call went straight to voicemail.
“What the fuck is going on?” Honor asked as she crossed her arms and looked at the news report in total confusion.
“Everything is so fucked up. Sutton, I thought these guys were professionals. What the fuck? They talking about bodies? This is not what I signed up for,” Gadget said as she nervously paced back and forth, trying to process everything that was happening. Ashton sat back and watched closely as her sisters were visibly shaken up by the unexpected news. It was nothing she was proud of, but death wasn’t foreign to her, so she wasn’t moved.
“See, the problem is y’all stepping into a dirty game and scared to get muddy hands,” Ashton said.
“What the fuck is she talking about?” Honor said as s
he snapped her neck and looked at Sutton in confusion.
“I don’t know; that’s what I’m trying to find out,” Sutton said as she smoothly folded her arms and looked at Ashton who leaned against the wall nonchalantly. “Why don’t you enlighten us, Ash?”
“Y’all stepping into a game that you know nothing about. It’s amateurish, to be honest. Bringing knives to a gunfight is going to get us all fucked up,” Ashton said as she shook her head in disbelief.
“This bitch talking in codes,” Honor said.
“You’ve been here a whole five minutes and trying to put in your confusing-ass two cents,” Luna spat.
“Right. Just say what you’re trying to say,” Sutton added, slightly offended by Ashton’s blatant patronizing. Ashton walked toward the television and shook her head in disgust.
“Look, I know I haven’t been around lately, but you all have no idea what I’ve been through. I’m not the same girl that y’all knew before. I know a thing or two and was taught by the best. I know one thing for sure and two things for certain. No amount of money or clever scheme is going to save us if the police traces this back to us. We have to cut all ties connecting us.”
“What do you mean ‘cut all ties’?” Honor asked.
“We have to get them three remaining divers hit. We have to get to them before the police do. Because like I said before, ain’t no amount of money going to keep them from pointing their fingers back at us once the heat is on. They’re going to sing like birds given the chance. I’m not going back to jail for none of y’all bitches. We gotta hit,” Ashton said with confidence. Her time under Miamor in prison taught her much more than what met the eye.
“Hit? Oh, now we’re killers, huh?” Sutton asked as she frowned and snapped her neck, totally dismissing Ashton’s reckless suggestion of murder.
“We are not killers. What type of bullshit you on, sis?” Honor asked.
“Speak for yourself,” Ashton said as she reached for her phone in her pocket. She scrolled through her contacts, placed it to her ear, and held up her finger for the conversation to pause while she made the call. She placed the phone to her ear and hoped the number hadn’t changed since the last time she spoke to her friend.
