Page 60 of The Cask

After making sure everyone was walking to their cars in pairs, I waved to Alexis and got into mine. I started the engine and allowed it to warm up. I watched my staff drive off in the misty night and I smiled. Then I stared at Luxe and shook my head.

Could’ve picked any other block.

Just when I was about to pull off, I noticed one of my service indicator lights was on.

My face frowned up. “What the hell?” I muttered.

I’d just taken my car to the shop for a tune up a month ago and I got four brand new tires. There should’ve been no reason for any of the lights to be on—especially the tire pressure lights.

I stepped out into the rain and checked my tires.

“What the fuck?” My eyes widened as I checked all four of them.

They were all flat.

It wasn’t an accident. It was clear that all four of my tires were intentionally slashed. I didn’t need to ask around to see if anyone saw who did it. BecauseI knewwho did it.

Game on, bitch.

Kim Lowe was no longer collateral damage to the overall demise of Luxe. She had been elevated to a primary target.

And she has to go.

Chapter Twelve

“Ebony Montresor,” Omari said as he answered his phone. “I was beginning to think you weren’t going to call.”

The way he said my name always managed to make me feel him. I gripped the phone tighter. “I’m sorry to call so late—”

“You can call me anytime,” he interrupted.

I pursed my lips as I remembered him not picking up my call when he was with that woman. Shaking it off, I cleared my throat and focused. “Are you busy?”

“No, just got out the shower. What’s up?”

“I don’t want to inconvenience you. But I don’t know who else to call. My staff has already left for the night. My family and friends have been asleep for hours because they have work in the morning. I don’t… I didn’t know who else to call.”

“What’s wrong?” His tone had shifted from sexy to concerned. “Are you okay? What do you need?”

I put on my best damsel in distress act for the monologue I’d prepared. “I’m stuck at The Cask. My car is messed up and—”

“I’m on my way,” he interjected. “Let me put my shoes on. It’ll take ten minutes.”

“Are you sure? I don’t want to be a bother.”

“Ebony, if you need me, I got you. It’s not a bother.”

My eyebrows lifted in surprise and I smiled. “Thank you.”

We said our goodbyes and I placed my phone back onto the table.

That was easier than I thought.

I’d planned a whole sob story to get him to get out of the bed at almost three o’clock in the morning on the day of his grand opening to help me. I’d planned to do a lot more convincing. I didn’t expect him to agree so quickly and easily. I didn’t expect him to be so willing.

I hated to admit that I liked the way that felt.

I pulled my braids over one shoulder and took a deep breath.

---