Page 44 of Mr. Blackwood

I was embarrassed because she had been right all along. I was certain that Riann knew the reason we had been evicted was related to Jabari’s and my relationship.

“Okay, well, I know this isn’t the best time to tell you this, but the attorney called and explained that the rental and leasing negotiations on all of our equipment have been revoked. Something about ‘violation of terms.’”

“What? We didn’t violate anything!”

“That was the same thing that I said.”

“What did they say?”

“They said that in the contract there is a clause that states if there is a transfer of ownership or possession, the contract is automatically nullified.”

“We haven’t transferred anything,” I countered.

“I know, but they stated that they have proof that our equipment is still in the building, and our lease is up. Because we left the equipment on someone else’s property, it’s the same as abandonment or transfer of ownership. They are asking for the balance due on all the equipment at the close of business.”

“They can’t do that.”

“Apparently, they can. It’s one of those things that is in the lease’s fine print.”

“I’ll look into it. Give me some time.”

“Okay, honey. If there’s anything that I can do, please let me know.”

“I will.” I ended the call abruptly and had an emotional breakdown in front of my home. I knew that this was all connected to Jabari, and I wished that he didn’t feel as if I’d crossed him up in the worst way. He was about to destroy my life. I felt like everything was pushing me toward my father, and the last thing I wanted was to go to that man with my tail tucked between my legs and ask him for anything.

18 – JABARI

FOUR DAYS LATER

Some said that I could be a bastard. That was oftentimes true, but that was only because I was ruthless when it came to business. I didn’t play about anything when it came to money.

I wasn’t a bastard with her, though. With her, I was the man I had been in my previous life. I was generous, caring, and concerned. She had destroyed that when she stepped foot into territory that she had no business. She had proven that I could not trust her.

I called Cole to see what was going on with any updates on Camilla. She had been calling me incessantly, and it was hard, but I ignored her calls and text messages.

“What’s the status?”

“Nothing new. She’s still trying to find new locations for her magazine, but your efforts to block her have worked. No one is touching her with a ten-foot pole.”

“Anything else?”

“Yeah. She went back to his house looking for him, but she didn’t find anything. I captured her talking to a few of his neighbors, but it’s safe to say they were no help.”

“All right, Cole. Thanks, man.”

I ended the call and swirled the ice in my gin. I glanced at my watch and noticed the time. I was supposed to be meeting with Regent, Jett, and Kanaan tonight. I sighed and pushed back from my desk. After I made sure that everything was shut down, I left my office and hopped on the elevator.

I drove today and gave Creed the day off. My car was parked in a private bay in the parking lot that could only be accessed with a key card. I had forgotten the card at home, so I left it unlocked this morning after I parked.

When I stepped off the elevator and into the parking garage, I headed toward my private bay. My mind was clearly occupied because I hadn’t scanned the area like I normally might, whether Creed was with me or not, especially around my vehicle.

“Was it you?” Camilla stepped out of the darkness behind my car. Her silky smooth voice that normally made my dick ache in my pants at just the sound of it was as cold as ice.

I spun around and stared into her flinty eyes that were as hard as brick and held the dense, opaque look of red jasper. All the emotion and adoration that was normally there was gone. I’d heard that she had visited both the maintenance and leasing offices last week, and she hadn’t liked the answers she had gotten.

Her key card access to the building had been revoked along with all her staff. Somehow, she had managed to walk in off the street into the parking lot.

“You already know the answer to that.” My voice was as hard as the look in her eyes and held a warning edge to it that I hoped she took note of.