Page 99 of The Promise

Jas’ eyes widened, and slowly, he lowered his chin. “I’m not sure what that means. My bad if I said something to offend you. I didn’tmean—”

“You never ‘mean’ to offend me, but somehow you always do!”

He peered around the table, appearing the total opposite of the aggressor I’d known him to be. “What did Isay—”

“It’s not always just what you say,” I returned. “It’s what you do as well. Just like earlier when I asked Bella to clarify the situation with his wife: you called my name like I was a child or an immature ‘American’ as they all but accused me of being.”

“Are you saying they were judging you? Because you just copped to believing he was a mob boss.”

“I didn’t know!” I accidentally shouted, more like squalled; I was so irritated.

In a calmer tone, Jas explained, “They don’t know youeither— You know what?” He took a deep breath, reclining in his chair, then swiped over the bristles of his cheeks. “I ain’t about to do this. It’s all good. Say less. You got it.”

“Got what?”

“Whatever you want it to be, Ashira,” his tone defeated. “We’ve been getting along, and I’m not about to start arguing with you now. It’s been a whole week, and I’m not about to do this shit.”

“We’ve been getting along? Is co-existing what you call getting along?” I couldn’t deny the pain from the emotional wall Jas had erected between us long ago. “And start what shit?”

“This. This energy.” He stood from the table, still able to control his voice. “I told the therapist I was gonna make this as painless as possible. So that’s what I’mma do.” He walked off, catching the eye of the security guys waiting on us.

Painless?So sharing a space with me was problematic? This was the shit I’d been talking about!

Quickly, I stood to follow. “We’re on a European tour, always being followed by armed men. That ain’t regular. And you expect me not to make judgment calls? Again, how was I supposed to know he owns the boat?”

Jas stopped and turned to me. “Ashira, I rented the boat from Francesco on recommendation. You know how I feel about being smart when traveling. Francesco not only owns the boat, but he’s known and well respected on this cruise line we’ve been on. I can let my guard down just a little, knowing I’ve got somebody with us who knows the ‘streets’ we’re vacationing on.”

“And who told you that? Ava?”Hell yeah, I was being petty.

Painless my ass…

And I couldn’t help it. Something had triggered my emotions, and Jas had this coming to him for years now.

I click-clacked in my heels away from the crowd, all the way to the car next to him, demanding an answer.

But Jas stopped. He glowered at me with squinted eyes, then scoffed. “Un-fuckin’ believable.”

“That I would know this was all her after I told you to keep her out of my life?”

“That you would assume I’d have her in your life after I had to fire her to make you happy.”

Shit…

I gulped in air. “I never asked you to fire her!”

“You never asked me to fire her,” he mocked. “But you damn sure made it clear you didn’t want her involved in your world.”

“Yeah!Mylife!”

“Or Chivon’s life.”

“Right! Neither my child’s!” Buddy was damn right!

“Then that meant she couldn’t be in my life, Ashira. Don’t forget; I’m Chivon’s father. I provide for her and spend time with her. I’m not a hood nigga, going around droppin’ off my cum and making babies. Even though, let you tell it, I’m even less than that.”

That shit stung.

Oh, no,he didn’t!

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