“Stop fussing over me, I’m fine.” Melissa’s weak tired voice sounds through my phone, intensifying my guilt and anger. It’s just like when my mom got beat all those years ago.
It leaves a bitter taste in my mouth that I can’t stand.
“You’re in the hospital. I’m allowed to fuss if I want too. I’ve closed the lounge for a few days and I’ve already given you the next 2 weeks off paid. If you want longer just let me know.”
“I don’t need 2 weeks off.”
“Too bad, that’s what you’re getting, minimum.” Melissa sighs, lying back in bed as she holds the phone up.
“Get some rest, if you need anything just ask and it’ll be taken care of.” Melissa stares at me with her bruised and swollen eyes.
“You’ve changed” she mumbles the fact to herself but regardless, I can hear her and chuckle.
“So I keep being told. I’ll talk to you later.” Melissa gives a tired nod and I hang up, giving the phone to Giselle as she hands me a glass of liquor.
Dante stands with his head down, ready for me to go the fuck off. He’s my head of security and responsible to keep this shit from happening.
“Have the P.R team take care of the news, I don’t want to give Mrs. Washington any more ammo.”
“Yes ma’am” I’m too irritated to correct Giselle and I wave her away.
“Dante.” He steps forward, clasping his hands behind his back and staring straight ahead.
“Explain.”
“Head of security at the lounge, Ms. Sofia Gibson explained that Ms. Melissa and Mr. Neal went straight to the office to discuss business. Melissa requested not to be disturbed during that time. When shouts arose, security hesitated to enter the office, by the time they did, Ms. Melissa was in that state.” Dante keeps his head forward as he repeats the ridiculous bullshit excuse that I was told 2 hours ago.
Humming with a nod, my steps are silent as I pace in front of Dante, weighing my options. It’s almost time for us to go to the club and I’ve wasted an entire day in Paris, cleaning up the mess at the lounge. Reassuring board members and other companies, and I still have Julienne to deal with.
“Sofia is on temporary leave until I return, send Felix to replace her for the time being. I don’t need as much security on this trip. Who was outside of her office?”
“Vita and Harlan.” Noé and Harley come into the front entrance, laughing. Their positive energy forces me to relax, a deep breath and a gulp later. I give the empty glass to Giselle. Noé glances at me as they go to the mini bar, grabbing their own drink.
“Send them and Mr. Neal to the stables. I’ll deal with them when I return, keep their eyes covered.” Dante nods and disappears to do as I told him while Giselle comes over.
“Is everything ready for tonight?”
“Yes, London managed to hack into their vacation home security and we have surveillance, video and audio.”
“Hm, she’s a genius for a reason.”
“We sent the message and picture of Mrs. Delilah Stone to Ms. Brigette, as you suspected, she responded right away. It wasn’t enough to sway her from Reuben, however, they do seem to be scurrying around.” Giselle hands me a tablet as Noé and Harley come over. Noé has a frown as she tries to peek at the tablet.
“Still working?”
“Always.” Reuben and Brigette seem to be arguing. I don’t turn on the audio since seconds later they go their separate ways in the house. It seems my little message has caused a bit of dissension.
“What are you watching?” She sips her drink, absentmindedly not understanding the gravity and shock that will come along with my answer.
“A video of Reuben and his mistress in her vacation home where he’s been hiding.” Noé chokes on her drink, her eyes shooting up to me as she snatches the device from my hands.
“Are you fucking serious?...You’re fucking serious. How did you get this? How did you find him?”
“Milo found him and asked me to get him out of the house in exchange for some land and a new business, with some stipulations. London, a hacker I know, got the surveillance for me.” Slack-jawed and stunned Noé looks at me and Harley, Giselle, and back to me.
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“This is…unbelievable. We’ve been looking for him all this time and he’s…where exactly is he?”
“Currently, he’s here, in Paris, at Julienne and Brigette Leroux’s vacation home.” Noé hands me the tablet, still shocked as I give it to Giselle.
“So, what do you plan on doing? Do you need help?” Smiling, I shake my head, stepping her forward and kissing the corner of her lips. No matter what, I know that she always has my back. Nodding towards the door, we all make our way outside.
“I’ve invited Julienne to the club as my date tonight. Sent messages to Brigette that caused some tension between her and Reuben. And now…”
“Now…” Sonny holds the door open for us as we get in the car and head to the club. Giselle hands me a burner phone and a cigar, making me smirk.
“Now, I’m going to call Reuben.” I dial the phone, putting it on speaker, the sound of ringing fills the car.
“Are you crazy?” Once again her eyes are in shell-shocked disbelief, even Harley seems surprised by my straightforward approach. But I have too much work to play hide-and-seek with this grown ass man.”
“Possibly.”
“Win-” Her words stop as the line answers and Reuben’s breathing fills the phone. Seems that I’ll have to be the one to speak first.
“Long time no see Reuben.”
“You. You little fucking bastard.”
“Don’t get mad at me because your girlfriend gave up your hiding spot by using an unsecured phone. I mean if I could find you, how long do you think it’ll be until Milo or your other collectors find you? I’m just doing you a favor by telling you that your little vacation home is about to be compromised.” His growl fills the car as he starts cursing me, my existence, and my mother before yelling at Brigette.
The sound of clattering, arguing, and glass breaking has me smirking and Noé shaking her head. I let them argue for a minute longer before I interrupt his rage.
“Since you want to disturb me, I have a job for you.”
“Hm, what do I get out of helping you?”
“You bitch.”
“Your mafia has disbanded, we all have to find our own way to get money.”
“What do you mean disbanded?! THAT DAMN IDIOT DISBANDED MY DAMN MAFIA?!” I snicker as I smoke my cigar, passing it between Harley and Noé.
“Yep.”
“Where the hell is Roman?”
“He’s a CEO now, pretty sure he likes it too.” More glass breaks and ruckus sounds over my speaker as we get nearer the club.
“That son of a bitch-”
“I have a solution.”
“Speak.” Bitch.
“Move locations. Spain would be the safest since the Malone’s have no affiliates there. They’re your biggest threat.”
“How the hell do you expect me to move without getting my ass shot down? For all I know he has this place surrounded.”
“What if I could tell you I can get him to hold off the attack. Long enough for you to make it to the jet.”
“Why the hell would Milo or Arthur Malone listen to you?” He scoffs out a laugh like I’m the idiot, yet he’s the one hiding away with someone that has no sense of defense.
“Milo needs a wife, and he wants me. I can make a deal with him.” If I was on Reuben’s side, this plan might actually work. Unfortunately for him, my deal has already been sealed. His laughter fills the phone and I roll my eyes, waiting for him to stop. Once he stops he sighs.
“Say you’re right. Why the hell would I trust you?”
“Because I’m the only one that’ll tell you you’re about to be fucked with more than 5 mafias knowing where you are. And if you don’t believe me…” I text him the surveillance picture of the house he’s currently in, hearing him growl.
“What do you get from helping me?” I consider what it would benefit if I were to help him.
“Full disposal of your jet, whenever I want.” He’s silent for a while before finally gritting out “fine.”
“What do I have to do?”
“Be ready to leave. When I drop Julienne off, you’ll get in my car, use me as cover if needed. Milo won’t shoot at me.”
“You sound sure of yourself.”
“That’s because I am. Be ready.”
“Why are you doing this? What do you get out of helping me?” Reuben’s distrust in me is warranted. After our last interactions, I’m sure he thinks I want to kill him. Truthfully, I don’t care if he is alive or dead, he’s just a stepping stone for me to get the deal I want.
“It’s my way of paying you back. Besides, I helped Natasha get away, I might as well help you too. Now I don’t owe either of you anything, not my loyalty, my trust, or my love. After this last deed I have helped you just as you helped me, and you will be just like my mother. Dead to me. Is that enough?” Reuben doesn’t say anything so I hang up and look at Harley who nods.
“Do you think this will work?”
“Reuben doesn’t have many options. He’s smart, but desperate. He doesn’t have a choice. He can either wait for Milo to take over that vacation home, killing his hoe in the process, or he can take my words. The odds are in my favor. If by chance he doesn’t comply, then I’ll deliver him to Milo myself.” Noé frowns, a thoughtful expression clouding her face.
“What is it?”
“It’s just…I’ve worked for Reuben for a while. I know the family will take the news hard, especially Rosie since she’s the youngest. Not to mention Delilah. When Roman saved me, I never dreamed that I’d turn into a traitor one day.”
“You’ve paid back the Stone family with years of pain, stress, and blood. You have more than paid your dues to Roman and Reuben. You’re not a traitor. You’re still Roman’s head of security. Besides, it’s only a matter of time before someone gets Reuben. Milo already has him surrounded. His capture is inevitable, I might as well reap the rewards.” Noé nods, mumbling “that’s true”.
“Unlike you Noé I wasn’t saved, I was betrayed and bought. There was a time that Reuben would’ve killed me and my mother, and I was just a child. Reuben knew of the struggles I went through and acted as if I didn’t exist, until he had no choice but to confront the truth. Both of my parents are shit and the only person I trust is you, Noé.”
.”Winter…” an adorable pout settles onto her lips as she runs her hand through my hair. Her eyes don’t hold pity but sympathy, care, and understanding.
“Therefore, none of them deserve my loyalty. Besides, I believe this project of Milo’s is worth achieving, I’d like to see it fulfilled. However, if it’s really going to bother you, let Reggie and Roman know, either way, it’s too late.” Noé nods but makes no move to contact either of them. We get out of the car and head inside, ignoring the line and jealous patrons waiting to get inside. I hand the bouncer a picture of Julienne with a sly smile.
“She’s my guest, make sure she gets VIP treatment, and have her escorted to me when she arrives.” The bouncer nods and I slide a 50 dollar bill into his jacket pocket, patting his chest.
Everything is set in motion, now it’s time to secure me some land.