Page 7 of Objection

“Your pops asked me to wait for him to get here, but it’s really not necessary. I want you to take on a case.”

“For who?”

“Woody Simpson. I don’t have all the details yet, but I want you to get a handle on his case.”

“I’ll get the affidavit and see what the charge is. When I do, I’ll let you know.”

Though I was aware of the fact he expected me to automatically agree, I wanted to make it clear to him that wouldn’t be the case. My clients were mafia members, drug dealers, and killers. A lot of people thought because of that, that I defended literally anyone, but that wasn’t the case.

We said our goodbyes, and I called Pops to let him know he didn’t have to pull up. After that, I scheduled a flower delivery for Serenity to help brighten her mood. I thought about sending her red roses but opted for the bouquet of the day instead.

By the time I made it to the office, Gino, the private investigator I’d reached out to, had a full name, phone number,and address for me for Serenity’s ex—Mario. I shifted my steps and headed out to pay him a visit to make sure he didn’t reach out to her again.

Serenity

When my best friend, Nessa, asked me to go out tonight, I happily agreed. We met my first day in Rose Valley Hills. I’d gotten lost and couldn’t decipher which of the apartment buildings was mine, and she pulled over and helped me. She also helped me unpack. We talked and got to know each other and had been inseparable ever since. While I was in building C, she was further back in building G. I loved the apartment complex because it had amazing amenities, but I was also ready to have my own home. I already knew the only downside to the move would be not being as close to Nessa but spending time together would always be an easy fix for that.

We didn’t really have a true destination in mind, but we were sitting in my apartment sipping wine while we tried to figure it out. If we were going to go somewhere to drink, we’d Uber or get a town car.

“We could try that new jazz club,” Nessa suggested. “I’m not into that, but I heard that’s where some of the fine, rich niggas be at.”

I laughed. “Montgomery loves jazz and he mentioned that he was looking forward to their opening. If he’s an indication of the kind of men that will be there, you’re right about that, friend.”

I half listened to her response as my phone vibrated on the table. Confusion filled me when I saw the person calling was Ashley. We didn’t really talk often because we didn’t have that much in common. She was a wild party girl whose main priority was enjoying her life, and though I respected that, I was more laidback. I’d pop up at a lounge or venue for some live music occasionally, but I hadn’t gone to a club since I was in college and didn’t see that changing any time soon. Meanwhile, Ashley was in somebody’s club literally every weekend.

“Hold on, girl. Ashley calling me.”

“Ashley?” she repeated as her face scrunched up, causing me to hold back my laughter as I answered.

“Hello?”

“Serenity!” she yelled before laughing. “Girrrlll, somebody beat thefuckout of Mario’s ass.”

I wanted to ask her why she was telling me because we weren’t together anymore, but I was curious about what happened to him . . . and concerned.

“What? When? And why? Do you know who?”

“Last night. He went live talking all this shit about getting jumped, but his neighbor went live too and said it was a lie. That it was just one person who did him in. He posted a video from his camera but removed it a few minutes after. Apparently, the man who beat him up don’t play that shit and had him delete it expeditiously.”

“Hmm . . . that’s odd.”

“You know what’s even odder?” she taunted, and I could hear the smile in her voice.

“What?”

“I saw the video, and I would swear I heard the man that beat him up tell him not to call or text you anymore. He said if he did, the last words he said to you would be the last words he’d ever say.”

My heart dropped as I walked toward the island in the kitchen and sat down. “That can’t be right. I don’t even know any men here that would—” I immediately stopped as thoughts of my conversation with Kaos yesterday filled my mind. “Do you remember what he looked like?”

“I couldn’t see his face, but he was tall and wide like he worked out a lot. He had a deep, sexy voice, and I think he had tattoos on his hands.”

Sighing, I shook my head. I refused to believe Kaos had attacked Mario. There was no way for him to even know who he was and where he lived. Still, who else could it have been?

“I’ll uh . . . talk to you later.”

Absently, I disconnected the call. Licking the corner of my mouth, I looked over at Nessa as she scrolled aimlessly on her phone.

“What she want?”

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