Page 42 of Dreaux: The Corporate Assassin

“Mr. Boudreaux… thank you so much for coming tonight. Looks like you brought your family as well.”

Dragging my head up to meet his voice, I frowned in confusion. Standing from my seat as they made introductions, I waited for the blow-up that was bound to happen in seconds.

“What the hell are you doing here?” Bryce frowned as his eyes landed on me. “This event isn’t for someone like you.”

“Whoa! Wait a minute,” Andre chimed in and stood between us when Bryce stepped in my direction. “Let’s be respectful. After all, she’smy datefor the evening.” Glancing from me to Bryce, he scowled at our stare-off. “Is there an issue, Lil’ Mama?”

“No issue at all…” I crossed my arms and tugged my eyes toward Dre. “This man is upset because I won’t let him fuck me. He should be more upset that I’m ten seconds from knocking his head off his shoulders and embarrassing the fuck outta him for talking to me like he’s crazy.” Dropping my arms, I sighed heavily. “Andre, this Bryce. The Lieutenant Governor… and my daughter’s father.”

My people beingin Milly Grove tonight was needed. I had a sense of peace since they were near, which I’ve missed since leaving South Florida weeks ago. It was cool handling business and hanging with the Mills clan, but they weren’t family. As much as I was enjoying Milly Grove, I was ready for this night to be over because it would be one more step toward getting back home.

“You good?” I leaned over and whispered in Denim’s ear. “Would you like me to have one of the guys take you home?”

She's been quiet since the brief run-in with her child’s father. She was no longer enjoying her evening or conversing with the ladies; she’d just been sitting here, in her own thoughts. Every now and then, I would catch her peeking toward Holmes and his wife. I wanted to see where her head was because I would hate to see Lil’ Mama crash out over her baby daddy—she was way too fine and worth more than that man and his riches combined.

“I’m fine,” she replied, offering me a small smile as she chewed her salad. The food at this event was the worst I’ve ever had. Even the rolls were hard as bricks. “Bryce and I don’t have the best relationship, and it’s hard for me to be in the same space as him.”

Nodding, I sipped my champagne as I watched her. I could tell by her posture that she was aggravated, and I wanted her to relax and have a good time if she was going to be here with me.

“Listen, I know me and you are just kicking it, but he’s the fool in this situation. He shouldn’t have ever approached you if he knew he wasn’t ready to deal with someone of your stature. Married niggas cheat every day, but many choose chicken heads. Baby… you’re far from a chicken head.” We laughed, and I was happy to see her shoulders relax. “Don’t let that nigga knock you off your square—ever. Let’s at least enjoy these drinks and the company because the food is garbage.”

Leaning over, I draped my arms over her shoulder and pulled her into me. I could feel my people staring at us, but I didn’t care. Denim had been there for me when I needed an ear, and I was going to return the favor. Kissing her forehead, I could feel her melt into my arms. I don’t know what it was about Denim, but I was experiencing feelings that were abnormal for me. I wanted to, at least, consider her a friend, but my mind wouldn’t let me. My mind wasn’t running shit, though, and the effect she had on my body was starting to tamper with my heart and soul. I responded to her in a way I’ve never responded to any other woman. I wanted to like her, but I knew I had to shake that shit. My mind could not lose the current internal battle happening within me over Denim Atkins.

“Lover Boy Dre! I never thought I would see the day,” Jules chimed in, sounding like a Dr. Suess book, causing me to mug him. “Wait until I tell Sweets about this!”

“Man, go on. Wait… somebody trying to talk to Bunny over there,” I said, pointing across the room. I didn’t really see shit, but I wasn’t in the mood for Jules or Boko tonight. One wrong word and that nigga would’ve been threatening to turn Denim and me into Cinderella and Prince Charming. After a few more minutes of chatter and laughing as we watched Jules stalk Bridgette, I noticed Denim had finally relaxed. Her being at ease came at the perfect time because the auctions were set to begin, and I was ready to have even more fun.

“I’m so excited! I’ve never been to anything like this before,” she sang from the side of me. I chuckled lowly because she was good and tipsy. “I hope they have something I want to bid on.”

“I doubt it…” Rosier murmured from the side of me. “People like this only sell what’s beneficial for them—things that the normal person wouldn’t dare want or could afford. Tonight is their lucky night, though, since the Boudreaux’s are in the building.”

We watched as Holmes walked to the stage, not before mugging Denim. She seemed not to notice or care as she looped her arm in mine and leaned her head on my shoulder. Eyeballing him, I nodded for him to keep it moving. She was far from being my lady. However, tonight was different. To disrespect her was to disrespect me, and that’s something I didn’t play about.

“Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Thank you so much for joining me tonight at Holmes Hideaway Auction. I started this little private event more than five years ago. I’ve always been a private person, so my charity isn’t well-known, but I am grateful for all of you who decided to come out and partake in thisadventure.” He gave a slight smile before he glanced around. “I want to thank my beautiful wife, Rebecca, for assisting me here tonight. She isabsolutelythe best thing that’s happened in my life, and I don’t think any of this would be possible without her.”

Looking around as the guests clapped, I found his wife beaming in the audience. She was a beautiful BBW, and I could tell she knew it. Something about the look in her eyes made me uneasy, though. There was a hint of sneakiness in them that I’ve seen in women who turned out to be malicious. I would have to keep an eye on Mrs. Holmes, and not in the same way I’d had my eyes on Denim’s ass all night.

“All right. Let’s get down to business. Everyone should have a bidding paddle…” Holmes went into his suit jacket and pulled out a stack of note cards. “The first item on the list is a twelve-day stay in Cabo at one of the most beautiful villas on the island. With privacy for miles on each end, you can enjoy days of fun in the sun with no interruptions.” He wiggled his brows and smirked. “We will start the bid at fifty thousand.”

We sat back and listened as men from various spots in the room shouted out number after number in hopes of winning the prize. I couldn’t help but shake my head at the dollars they were willing to pay for this vacation. What was even more comical was that they thought they were doing something with their little-ass money.

“Three hundred thousand! Going once… twice… sold to the gentleman in the back.”

Locking eyes with Rosier, we watched as the men clapped and cheered for the winning gentleman. Now that we saw how the evening was going to go, we knew what to do going forward.

“Next up, we have a ten-day stay at Turks and Caicos. The glamorous villa?—”

“Two million…” Jules shouted before Holmes could even finish bidding. The attendants in the room gasped as Jules sat calmly with his wife tucked under his arms. “Cash.”

“Wow! Do we have a higher bid?” Holmes chuckled as he shuffled his card and was met with silence. “Well, then… it’s sold to Mr. Boudreaux.”

Smirking, he winked at Holmes before sipping his drink. Everything was always a competition with this nigga, and I see that this auction was no different. He had just opened the doors for all of us to spend a check tonight. For the next three bids, my people who outbid everyone, and you could feel the frustration in the air. We didn’t give a fuck, though. We had even gotten the girls involved, and their drunk asses were having a blast.

“This is so exciting!” Denim clapped from the side of me, holding the paddle. “What are you waiting on before you bid? I want to raise the paddle like Gabby has!”

I winked at her, causing her to blush. “Something special. I want it to be perfect.”

Just then, Holmes walked back up to the makeshift stage. Although his other attendees were pissed, he was in a great mood since he made almost twelve million dollars tonight.

---