Page 33 of Mr. Blackwood

TWO WEEKS LATER

“Everything is looking good for finalizing the deal with Ventura Assets,” Elian shared.

“Good. Now that we’re on our way with that and HR is putting package deals in place, you can tell Wes that we won’t need his services any longer.”

“Jabari, that’s a bit rash, don’t you think?”

“It was a bit rash that he cost us another half a million because of his screwup. I don’t have the time or the capacity to navigate that type of bullshit again, and I definitely don’t want anyone on my team who costs me money rather than makes it.”

“You’ve got a point. It’s just that he’s been around for a long time.”

“I’m loyal to what’s loyal to me, Elian. You can go ahead and schedule the signing party. I’m glad we finally put this thing to bed.”

“You weren’t letting up until we did, even when we all thought you were wrong,” Elian grumbled, shaking his head as he got up off my couch. He walked to the door and turned back to smile. “Congrats, man.”

“You did the hard work, Elian. Congrats to you, too, man,” I replied, holding my bourbon up.

I swallowed the last of it as he closed the door behind him. I hadn’t even been seated five minutes before Frankie buzzed me.

“Yes, Frankie?” I greeted.

“Your father is here to see you, and he’s being a challenge,” my assistant alerted me.

“When isn’t he?” I asked in a growl.

My previously good mood dissipated.

“What do you want me to do?”

“Let him in, but alert security.”

“Yes, sir.”

Within seconds, my father barreled his way into my office. He seldom showed up here, and it was definitely inconvenient now that I had Camilla in my life.

I observed the pair of dusty jeans and the stained, dingy, gray T-shirt he wore. His boots were rundown, and his beard was scraggly and overgrown like the dreads on his head. I felt ashamed that he would show up that way, especially considering I was wearing a suit worth thousands of dollars.

“Why would you have the balls to show up at my office looking like this? You didn’t have to do this shit. What’s wrong with you?”

“I had the balls to show up here because I look exactly like what I am: a hardworking construction worker visiting his son. You treat me like I’m shit on the bottom of your shoe.”

“You act as if I have no reason to do it.” I walked around my desk and sat on the edge of it with my arms crossed.

“What happened to letting bygones be bygones?”

“You keep popping your ass up in places you shouldn’t be.”

“It’s a problem that I want to come and see my only son?”

I sucked my teeth, but I didn’t respond to that. I pointed at his attire. “There’s no reason for you ever to go around looking like this. What’s the problem?”

“I’m in a bad situation, Jay. I need more money.”

“Of course you do. What happened to the fifty grand I put in your account last month?”

“I had bills to pay—same as everyone else.”

“That shit’s not gonna fly with me. I pay your bills.”