Page 14 of Nobody But You

“Yeah, nah,” I said.

“I’m not asking anymore. You’re going, and the Havens and Cains, your little crew, will be there. So, you won’t be there alone.” I took out my phone and went into my banking app.

“I just sent you a few stacks. Go shopping and get all glammed up on me, Ma. I gave you plenty of time, so don’t use that as an excuse.”

“Tsk, Stephon,” I leaned over to kiss her cheek before standing.

“You’re leaving?” She asked.

“Yeah, I have an appointment at the firm and another late this afternoon at the Midtown gym. Justin thinks it’s a good idea to rebrand to try and bring in more members.”

“Well, you be safe out there, son,” she said as she stood to walk me out.

“Always, Mamá, I love you.”

“I love you, too,” she said as I turned to walk to my car. I took out my phone to text Brice to let him know I was on my way.

Sitting at my desk, I powered up my laptop to review the plans and guest list for the Mayor’s Ball. I needed to make sure everyone understood their assignments for the night. I’d done this several times. Tediously running every name and face through our database. I’d do whatever I needed to ensure the night went smoothly. Brody had also told me that he was good to go this weekend. Aftersome time, I glanced at my watch to see it was near lunch. My stomach was telling me I needed a break.

Where is this nigga?

Just as I stood to leave, there was a knock at my door. It was Brice.

“It’s about time your ass decided to show up.”

“I had to slide to the docks,” he said. I raised my eyebrow in question. Before he could start to talk, I cut him off. I didn’t want him talking here. I had too many outside ears in the office today.

“You hungry? I’m fucking starving. Let’s eat. Follow me, we’re headed to Two in Midtown,” I said. Two’s was Devin’s brother Dorien’s Restaurant. It was also near Hardrock Gym, so I killed two birds with one stone. Brice glared at me like he wanted to say something; I wanted him to; I was goading him. He followed me out of the three-story building that housed my Security firm and into the parking lot. He stopped at a rental parked beside my blacked-out Ford Raptor.

“You not about to be bossing me around and shit Steph. Your ass is lucky that I’m hungry.” He said with his chest all puffed out. I laughed.

“Get your ass in the car.” Now, I was only fucking with him to see how far I could push him. I knew he was trained to be cutthroat, just as I was, so why was he holding back? I needed the pushback so I wouldn’t feel like they were placating me. I wanted to trust him, and something uncontrolled and carnal inside me needed to trust his sister. The hold that she had on my mind bothered me to no end. Whether I could trust either of them was stillto be determined. That would start at this lunch with questions. I waited until he got in his car and started it before climbing into mine. I pulled out of the parking lot and watched him follow behind me in my review.

We arrived at Two’s about twenty minutes later and quickly found a parking spot. His demeanor was still tight as he exited his car and walked beside me.

Good.

“Good afternoon, and welcome to Two’s,” the hostess greeted us without looking up. When she finally did, her tone changed.

“Oh, hey, Stephon,” she said in a singsong voice meant to seduce me.

“Will you be dining at your usual booth?” she asked. I nodded. Then, we followed her to the booths in the farthest corner of the main dining area. It was later than I usually took lunch, so many of the tables we passed were empty. I knew Two’s would be slow at this hour. Besides, I fucked with their chicken marsala heavy, and I had a taste for it today. I always sat at this booth, knowing no one could overhear our conversation. That way, we could freely switch from Brice and Steph to Ice and Rock. She set our menus down, grazing my hand as she did, before returning to the hostess stand.

“You fucking her, Steph?” He said with a grimace.

“Not that my dick is any of your concern, but hell no!” I know that sounded harsh, but my dick was picky. It also wasn’t his damn business.

“You’re right; I just thought you had something going on with my sister,” Brice saidinquisitively.

“And why in the fuck would you think that?” I questioned as we both glanced over the menu.

“Last week, we spoke, and your name was mentioned.” I didn’t respond but waved my hand for him to continue. I’m guessing she mentioned it after our little run-in.

“Look, Steph, my sister has been hell-bent on finding out who killed our father. She’s under the impression that it was a hit. You know as well as I do that shit like that comes with the territory,” he said and sighed with concern. Before he could continue, the waitress came to take our drink orders. We quickly rattled off the drinks, deciding to go ahead and order off the lunch menu. After she’d left, he began to speak again.

“More recently, she’s been moving recklessly. I was hoping she’d reached out to you for help. Since all that security, private investigating shit is what you do. Because I thought that at least she has you out here; she’s all I have left. I can’t lose her while she’s out here playing vigilante and shit. At this point, I wouldn’t give a damn if you married her stubborn ass, hell I’d want you to because at least I’d know she was safe. Steph, you’re one of the only ones I trust out here.”

Shit, so she was after someone in that dining room. There goes my prior theory.

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