Page 25 of A King’s Obsession

Malachi's grin widened. “I fucking knew it.”

“Don't start, nigga,” I warned, pointing a finger at him.

“Oh, nah.” He laughed, shaking his head. “I thought you ain't like fucking with younger women? What happened to all that shit you used to talk about needing a woman closer to your age?”

I cut my eyes at him, already regretting admitting anything. “She grown, fool.”

“Twenty-four,” he reminded me, holding up his hands like he was presenting evidence. “Your ass forty-one. That's seventeen years.”

“Man, fuck you. Ain't your girl thirteen years younger than you?” I shot back, enjoying how quickly his smile disappeared.

“That ain't the point,” he argued, straightening his face.

I laughed. “Exactly.”

“Nah, the point is I never sat around talking about I don't fuck with younger women. That was your old ass.”

“Old ass? Nigga, you thirty-nine,” I reminded him, looking at him like he'd lost his damn mind.

“And you forty-one,” he answered immediately, that irritating grin returning.

“Two fucking years, Malachi.”

“Two years closer to fifty than me.”

I stared at him, wondering whether knocking his ass over the railing would be worth the trouble. Malachi took one look at my expression and busted out laughing.

“You done, nigga?” I asked, rubbing a hand down my beard.

“Hell nah.” He shook his head, still laughing. “Them damn glasses done changed your whole outlook on life.”

“Fuck you,” I muttered, although I couldn't stop myself from laughing a little.

“I'm just saying.” He glanced toward the table again before his expression turned slightly more serious. “So let me understand this. She interviewed good, we need people, but you don't want her working at Vice because you want her?”

“That's exactly what I'm saying,” I answered without hesitation.

Malachi studied me for a moment before shaking his head. He knew I wasn't the type to mix business with pleasure, and I damn sure wasn't about to spend every night watching Jru walk around my club while pretending I didn't want her. That sounded like a headache I could avoid before it started.

“You got it,” he finally said, although the amusement hadn't completely left his face. “What you want me to tell her?”

“We'll be in touch.”

“Cold-blooded,” he muttered, looking toward Jru again.

“Malachi,” I warned, letting him know I wasn't in the mood for another speech.

“Aight, damn.” He lifted his hands before turning back toward the section.

We returned to the table, and Ashlynn moved back to where she'd been sitting. The look she gave Malachi told me she planned on getting every detail out of him later, but he ignored it and settled into his seat.

“We still got some things to handle before Vice opens and some other people to talk to,” Malachi explained, looking toward Jru. “So we'll be in touch.”

Disappointment crossed her face before she managed to cover it. I caught it anyway. She nodded politely, reaching for her purse as she thanked us for meeting with her.

Ashlynn caught her arm before she could stand. “Uh-uh. Sit down,” she instructed, pulling her attention away from the interview.

Jru gave her a tired look. “Girl, I came for an interview.”