Page 48 of Dreaux: The Corporate Assassin

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“Well,look who remembered they have two living parents?” my father greeted me as soon as I stepped inside his home. Briley all but knocked me down as she zoomed past me, running into the house. She gave my father a quick hug before going to find her grandmother. “I see the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.”

“Dad, what are you talking about?” I kissed his cheek before following him into his study. It was a Friday evening, and I knew he always went into his study around this time to decompress. “We always acknowledge you.”

“Baby girl, please.” He waved me off, causing me to giggle. “You’ve always been a mama’s girl, and I’m okay with that. I’ve forever admired the relationship you two have, and I thank God I picked a wonderful woman to build my family with.” I gushed at his love for my mother. I wanted that so badly for me. “Now, tell me… what’s the matter for you to want to holler at your dear old dad?”

For the past few days, my thoughts have been in a whirlwind, and I need someone to talk to. My feelings for Andre are growing by the day, and I don’t know what to do about it. The night he popped up on Bri and me, I was nervous. I didn’t know he was coming, and I’ve never had another male around my child. Those two ended up bonding in a way that made my heart smile, and it scared me. He told her he was my boyfriend, but we’d yet to discuss anything remotely close to that. He also kissed me twice on the lips—something he made sure I knew he didn’t do during our first time together. I was genuinely confused by it all. His switch-up had me wondering if this was all a ploy and if he was gearing up to kill me.

“So, you know that I love my job with the agency. Working with the FBI has been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember.” I pulled my legs underneath me as I got comfortable on the couch. “Sometimes, lines are crossed when I’m used as bait for the male criminals?—”

“Have I ever told you how much I hate that?” he interrupted me and frowned as he sipped his scotch. “Just because you’re beautiful doesn’t mean you have to flaunt your assets to get the bad guy. Your skills don’t start and stop there.”

“I know, Dad.” I dropped my head in embarrassment. “For the first time, I’m ashamed and regret my actions. See, there’s this guy, Andre Boudreaux?—”

“Boudreaux?” my father asked, interrupting once more as he leaned back in my seat. “That family is very prominent in the business and judicial world. His cousin, Jules, is one of the best lawyers to come through my courtroom.”

“I know…” I nodded. “I know of all the good they’ve done and how wealthy they are, but I know they’re criminals too. In my heart, I know there’s a dark side to that family, and so badly did I want to be the one to prove that.”

My father listened intently and without disruption as I explained to him my feelings. From all the informants that have died or disappeared to his mother’s outlandish accusations, I gave him all the evidence I’d collected over the last two years. I even told him about my theory of Dre killing Rissa and Eric. I knew the Boudreaux’s doubled as a crime family, but I’m not sure if it matters anymore with the new information I’d learned from Gabby, Bridgette, and the other auction dates. I also was struggling with my feelings, which shouldn’t affect my work as an agent, but for Dre, it was effecting me.

“Those are serious accusations, baby girl.” He pushed his chair back from the desk. My eyes followed him as he walked over and shut his office door. “If you feel that way, why are you considering backing off?”

I dropped my head in shame. “I’ve fallen in love with him, Dad. Andre is so smart and funny. The way he loves his grandparents is so damn sweet. What sold me is his willingness to help people. I’ve been doing my research on him and all the things he does not only in his hometown, but here in Milly Grove too—it’s commendable. We started dealing with each other based on false pretenses, and that’s my fault. I wanted to get close to him to build my case. The only thing I did was fall in love with a man who would probably kill me once he found out who I was. By chance, he does forgive me, we still can’t be together. He’s made it clear that he doesn’t want a relationship. Now, I just feel stuck. Being honest could get me killed. Continuing to lie could get me killed as well. I just don’t know, Daddy. This happening wasn’t on my bingo card.”

For the past few days, I’ve been contemplating coming clean with Dre. I didn’t expect anything to come of our sexual relationship but coming clean will better my chances of not getting killed when he learns of the betrayal.

“I’m going to tell you what I think out of love, baby.” He walked over and took a seat beside me. His eyes held so much love for me, and I knew my father was about to give me great advice as only a father could. “You’re wrong on all levels. That man has done nothing for you to lie to him the way you have. Even if he has, you don’t go around using your body to get what you want. What kind of example does that set for your daughter?”

“Dad…” I shook my head with tears in my eyes. “I don’t mean it like that.”

“That's exactly how it looks. God forbid you try and seduce the wrong man and end up in a body bag because of it. You already have a hard job in a field dominated by men, and you’re proving them right by flaunting yourself the way you do. It stops now.”

Wiping the tear that fell, I nodded my head in shame. My father was right, and I wasn’t going to debate about it.

“Good. Now let me tell you something else… not all heroes wear capes. They wear suits and ties with Glock 19s tucked on their waist. Do you think your father has always been a law-abiding citizen? No. I’ve done things to people in my day that could have very well put a needle in my arm.” I gasped in shock because I had no idea. “My friends and I would eliminate anyone in the way of feeding our families. If someone tried to prevent us from following our destiny, they were handled too. That is the way of life—not only then, but now too. Do you know how many men commit heinous crimes against the elderly, women, and children… or flat-out terrorize the city? They have the best lawyers money can buy, and they’re often let back on the streets to tournament more people. The justice system doesn’t always get it right, baby.”

“What are you saying?” My heart pounded in my chest as I listened to him. “Are you saying I should look the other way when it comes to Andre because he’s some sort of vigilante?”

“I’m saying don’t stick your nose in shit that doesn’t concern you. I’m saying do your job and come home to your daughter.” He stood from his chair and walked over to his minibar. “I’ve met the man, and you can always tell when someone has layers to them. What I will also say is he’s not the worst man that’s on the streets. I may not be connected tothe lifelike I used to be, but I know people who are. Your doctors, lawyers, teachers, judges, and politicians are the criminals of the world, and yet they’re free. They are some of the most sick and dangerous people you don’t hear about. We need Andre Boudreaux’s in this world to rectify what the justice system can’t.”

I was silent. I’d aged from seeing my father as a righteous man to seeing him as an everyday human being. He threw back another shot before continuing, “No one is perfect, baby. Not me, and not you. If you really love that man, you have to get out of your own way. Stop judging him when you’re not the most perfect person yourself. You need to have a conversation with him before he decides that you’re far more dangerous than his enemies. There’s nothing worse than being betrayed by the one you’re laying your head next to.”

As much as I wanted to deny it, my father was right. I had to come clean with Andre, and I needed to do it sooner rather than later. I just hope that once he knows the truth, he can look past my reasons for lying to him. I love Dre, and I pray he can look past my indiscretions and love me too.

During my lunchmeeting with the construction crew here in Milly Grove, I texted Denim and told her to be ready by seven tonight. I knew she was still rattled about her fight with Rebecca, so I planned to take her to dinner. I wanted to tell her why she shouldn’t fear consequences, but I enjoyed watching her squirm for the last few days, thinking she was going to jail. It was all an act, though; Denim knew if she went to jail, the bureau would simply handle the charges. Still, her fighting civilians was a no-no; you didn’t have to be police to know that.

When I popped up at her crib that night, I was on some chill shit. I knew I shouldn’t be on that type of time with her, but I couldn’t help the pull. Seeing her fighting Lieutenant Governor Holmes’ wife shocked the fuck out of me, and when I saw Big Bri crying in the corner, I saw red. It took a lot for me to not light that bitch on fire. I wanted to blow up Bryce’s spot but now wasn’t the time. The best thing for me to do was send her on her way with her tail tucked from the ass beating she’d gotten. I spent that night and the next day kicking it with Denim and her daughter, and I admit it was fun and comfortable.

Spending time with them had become the highlight of being in Milly Grove. It gave me a glimpse of what things would be like if I ever became a family man, and I liked it. I never dreamed about having kids, but if I ever did have one, I wanted a daughter just like Big Bri. She was intelligent, sassy, and funny. I was assuming these traits came from Denim because her bitch-ass daddy was far from any of those things. The more I hung out with Briley and Denim, the more I felt sad for my new little homie. She would eventually be an orphan, and I prayed Denim’s parents were as good as she claimed them to be because they were going to be taking in their grandchild and raising her real soon.

Allowing the men to finish enjoying their catered lunch, I stood and exited the conference room. We’d been moving swiftly on finishing the shopping center and were now looking over the layouts for the casino. Uno and his team did a fantastic job, sending realistic drafts of what they envisioned for the casino. I had been grinding out the minor details we needed before the actual building process began. By the time we finished this newest project, I was throwing my name in the hat for the casino to be named after me.

Deciding to shut it down for the day, I grabbed my things and walked to Uno’s office. Hearing some grunting as I stood outside his door to knock, I backed away quickly and reached for my Glock.

“Shit, baby… yes!” I heard a woman moan clear as day.

Laughing out loud, I caught the eyes of a few councilmen, who wore smirks themselves. I was used to Zoo and Jules fucking their wives midday, so hearing Uno, and who I assumed to be Harley, was not abnormal. Deciding to shoot him an email when I got back in the office on Monday, I headed to my car.

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