Page 18 of A King’s Obsession

“But I got on it, didn't I?” she challenged, and I could hear the smile in her voice.

I shook my head. “You got an answer for everything.”

“Sure do. Now, since you wanna be all in my business, there's something I need to tell you.”

Something about the sudden sweetness in her tone made me suspicious.

“What you done did?”

“Why you always assume I did something?”

“Because every time you start talking like that, some bullshit usually follows.”

She laughed before explaining that her homegirl was coming with her. When she said the name Jru, I had to think for a second before remembering she'd mentioned the girl before.

“Jru,” Ashlynn repeated. “My best friend. I told you about her.”

“Yeah, I remember.” I shifted my phone to my other ear. “What about her?”

“She coming with me to Westhaven. Some shit happened at home, and she's finally ready to leave Rosemont.”

I frowned slightly, trying to remember what little Ashlynn had told me about her friend. I knew she'd been having problems at home and had a boyfriend who wasn't worth a damn. Beyond that, I didn't know much, and I wasn't about to pry into somebody else's business.

“She straight?” I asked.

“She will be once I get her out of here,” Ashlynn answered, her voice losing some of its playfulness. “She's been dealing with a lot, Chi. I just want her somewhere she can start over.”

I nodded, even though she couldn't see me. “Aight. Long as you got everything worked out.”

“We do,” she assured me, then paused.

I knew that pause.

I'd heard it enough times to know the woman was about to ask me for something.

“What you want, Ash?”

She laughed softly. “Why I gotta want something?”

“Because you only sound that sweet when you do. Spit it out.”

“Okay, so don't say no before you hear me out.”

I tilted my head back toward the sky.

“Here we fucking go.”

“Malachi!” she complained, laughing. “I'm serious.”

“I'm listening.”

“Can you get Jru a job at the club?”

There it was.

I rubbed my palm over my beard, considering the request. “Ashlynn, I don't know that girl.”

“But you know me,” she replied immediately.