Just Can't Let Go (20 page)

CHAPTER 38

Devereaux

“H
ey. How's it going?” I asked.

“Can you meet me at Strip in Atlantic Station?”

Answering Dakota's call ended my chat with Trés. I walked away from the Buddha statue in his house, saying, “I'm on my way.”

My heart raced with anticipation of the unknown.
Lord, please let her have good news.
The meeting with my family was inspirational. All of us were moving forward. I was most proud of Sandara. Outside of Mercedes telling our baby sister she wasn't qualified to give Alexis advice on having a kid, I was pleased.

Mercedes might want to stop being judgmental, take a long look in a mirror, and admit she was not perfect. None of us was. Not me. Not Phoenix.

“Great. I'm upstairs outside on the patio sitting at a high table overlooking the courtyard. It's a beautiful day. Bring your sunglasses.”

Sunglasses? Oh, no. I told myself, don't read into her saying that. Stay optimistic. “Be there in twenty minutes.”

Since the day Phoenix mentioned managing Ebony, Trés had become my confidant. I shared intimate details about my feelings for Phoenix that my fiancé was not aware of.

I wanted a man whom I could be proud of. My fiancé was never that guy. I always believed in him more than he did in himself. Paying our bills wasn't a problem. I had to do that regardless. Phoenix's not making enough to provide for our daughter or himself bothered me.

I told Tres, “I can't stay for drinks tonight. Have to meet with my investigator.”

“I can go with you, Dev, for support. Never know what bomb she's going to drop,” he said, picking up his keys.

That was true, but what if there was no bomb. If I was wrong, and there was no explosion, either way this was my relationship. Perhaps she had good news. I chose to remain hopeful. Regardless of how others felt, I did not want my daughter growing up without her father. I made the decision to have Nya. If I had to, I'd do exactly like my mother had done with me. I'd put my little girl's happiness ahead of mine.

Trés embraced me. I shouldn't get comfortable being at his house after we left the set. With the best of intentions to remain faithful, the unexpected could happen. I found myself here again knowing the peacefulness of his home was what I needed after a hard yet productive day of work.

Inhaling the sweet vanilla scent of burning candles while we were chanting in front of the jade life-size waterfall statue of Buddha made me want to forgive Phoenix no matter what Dakota told me. Relaxation music played at a soothing audible tone that I could hardly hear. I didn't want to leave but I had to go.

“I'll call you later if I need to talk. You've been a real friend. And for that, I can never repay you.”

Trés hugged me. “Your indebtedness is no good with me. I love you, Dev. The time of day or night doesn't matter. I'll be waiting for your call.”

Getting in my car, I waved good-bye, then turned down my radio. Trés would say loud music could at times be entertaining for the soul. The faint sound of birds chirping, water falling, and wind blowing, feeds the spirit. He was right. There were times when I'd drift into meditation simply embracing the moment with him.

It wasn't necessary to talk all the time. In fact, learning when to sit still and be quiet was more beneficial than my having the last word.

Taking a ticket, I entered the garage at Atlantic Station. I wondered how Trés's wife felt about him. Was he one of those men who masked their true selves while marking their territory?

The grass was always greener from a distance.

I rode the escalator to the upper level, bypassed Z Gallerie furniture store, entered Strip. The security person inside made the guy in front of me remove his baseball cap. I walked around them, went upstairs. Exiting onto the patio, Dakota waved.

“Glad you could make it.” Patting the stool next to her, she said, “Sit beside me.”

The waiter brought me a glass of iced water and handed me a menu.

Before he could ask what I wanted to drink, I ordered a cabernet. “I haven't eaten. I need to order something. Please come back soon,” I told him. I knew alcohol shouldn't be my first consumption of the day but what if Dakota gave me bad news?

Dakota told me, “I haven't eaten dinner. I waited for you. How was your day?”

I stared at the camera on the edge of the table closer to her. Made me think of the video Mercedes showed me with Benjamin and his mistress.

The waiter returned. I was starving but decided on the sushi. Didn't want to throw up if what she was going to show me made me sick. Dakota ordered a steak medium.

“If you don't mind, I'm more concerned about what you have to share with me than recapping my day.”

Dakota held my hand. “I want you to take a few deep breaths. What I must show you will probably shock you, but I understand your request to view it now. I'm not going to delay giving you this information. I'm also not leaving you hanging. I have a plan in place. All you have to do is give me permission to proceed.”

Felt like my heart stopped, then accelerated. “Is it that bad?” Was I getting ready to crash into a cement wall?

“Let me show you,” she said, picking up the camera.

My cab came on time. Focusing on the footage, there was nothing unusual about her trailing Phoenix's car. I took a sip, keeping my eyes on the video.

I said aloud. “Okay, he didn't go that far.” It was about a mile from our home. “He's still in Brookhaven. That's our neighborhood.” I frowned. “Whose house is he parking in front of?”

“Keep watching,” she said.

The waiter placed our food on the table. I held on to my glass of cab. I swear what I saw . . . “Can't be.”

Phoenix got out of his car. Took Nya out of her car seat. Carried our baby to the front door, unlocked the door with . . . a key? No one let him in?

“Aw, hell no!” I said.

The waiter fast approached. “Is everything okay?”

Dakota calmly replied, “We're fine.”

No, I was not fine. I was very concerned, more so about my child.

“A few more minutes, then I'll explain the details,” she said briefly touching my hand.

Wasn't sure if I could take much more. A black Benz drove up. Immediately I recognized the vehicle with the license plate AYMSSIK. She parked next to me at the studio all the time. Ebony got out carrying a bag marked ‘Houston's'.

I insisted. “Stop the video. I've seen enough.”

“Okay,” she said. “I agree that you don't need to see everything. If you change your mind at any time, I can show you the rest.”

Not wanting to think the worst, I explained to her. “Phoenix's mother is out of town for a few weeks. You heard Sandara say she's modeling so she can't babysit Nya. Phoenix is managing Ebony, so maybe they had business to discuss.”

Dakota nodded. “Did you see Phoenix, your fiancé, let himself into Ebony's house? That was not the only time.”

I became quiet. I wanted to nod but I couldn't move.

“Dev, Ebony lives in Conyers with her husband. And she also owns that house in Brookhaven. She has property in Hawaii, New York, and a few other places.”

“Who's her husband?”

Dakota shook her head. “You don't know.”

“I knew she was married, but I didn't dig into her personal life. That's not my business.”

Quietly, Dakota exhaled, glanced toward the courtyard, then looked at me. “Buster Jackson is her husband. He's the primary angel investor for your series.”

I froze. Felt like I was going to die. The glass slipped from my hand, crashed to the floor. My empty hand was still in the air. I couldn't breathe.

“You need to inhale. You're going to be okay. It's my job to make sure of it.”

I gasped. Started heaving between words. “I wasn't expecting all of this. His company practically owns my production. If he pulls out, I won't have a second season.”

“Don't be so sure. Now that you know, what I recommend is you take this one step at a time. Don't do anything irrational. If you feel like yelling, screaming, crying, or swearing, call me immediately. Buster's name is not on the house in Brookhaven. He may or may not be aware of Ebony having that residence. I'm not sure. He probably doesn't know about Ebony's affair with Phoenix or Spencer Domino.” Dakota repeated, “Probably.”

OMG
! “Well, that doesn't surprise me. Spencer seems to be sticking his dick in lots of holes.” Disappointed in my man, I asked her, “So what now?”

“Don't show Phoenix your hand. In fact, be a little nicer to him if you can.”

“Really? A part of me wants to kill him or at least make him wish he were dead.”

Calmly, Dakota said, “Really. Just a little sugar sprinkled on top. Don't check him. That's where some of my clients undo all I've done. I have a locksmith on standby right now a block from your home. When Phoenix gets home, when he's asleep or in the shower, take his keys. Text me when you have them in hand. My locksmith guy will be out front at your place in seconds. Give him Phoenix's key ring. He'll make a copy of everything on the ring, then give it back to you. The set he makes is for me. I'll let you know what's next. Got it?”

I nodded. Tears poured down my face. “Do I get a copy?”

Firmly, Dakota said, “No.”

“He had my baby over there. Seriously, I want to kill him.”

“No, you're not. He's not going to harm Nya. Neither will Ebony. Look at me, Devereaux. It's fucked up right now, but I got you. Get his keys. Let's have them copied and move on to the next steps. You have to trust me on this.”

CHAPTER 39

Spencer

P
ussy often divided men who were boys but rarely divided men who were boyz.

Had to find a way to mend my connect with LB. Didn't want to ignore my sister's request to do a face-to-face but I'd had enough of her schematics. Pregnant. Not. But she was expecting again. I just couldn't pacify her. The money, house, cars were all hers. If she had to cough up a kidney and a lung to keep it all to herself, she'd make that happen. I didn't care. Her lack of consideration created mine. She'd be all right.

I raised my hand, pressed the doorbell, and my beautiful booty call appeared. Actually, I was hers. Either way the results were going to be the same. We were both at her spot fixing to get in the mix.

“You smell edible, Spencer. Get your sexy ass in here,” she said, grabbing my tee.

Ebony had platinum pussy, breasts, butt, lips, hazel-gray eyes, everything including access to me. I would've been on some chill shit waiting to go to work if it weren't for her hitting me up earlier.

She pulled my T-shirt over my head, unfastened my buckle, unzipped my pants, pulled out my dick, then stuck it in her mouth. Good thing my bartending threads were in my car. I'd change when I got to work.

Her hand slid up and down as she wiggled her fingers sucking me between those thick beautiful lips of hers. Ebony did a quick teabag, then got right back on the mic.

Wow! That's what I'm talkin' 'bout.
Blake would never just take the dick at the door.

I stood in the foyer. She was on her knees on a pillow. Premeditated fellatio. Yeah. That was what was up!

“Oh, yas. Suck your dick, bitch.”

Ebony turnt up. Started using both hands.

Fuck it. I was not holding back or pulling out. I came in her mouth. She didn't stop until my dick and her mouth were both empty.

Passionately, she kissed my ear, then begged, “Make me squirt again.”

I looked toward the nearest room. The living room.

“No, not there. The Jacuzzi. That way my husband can't tell.”

Buster needed to be gone more often. Having sex in the bed was never my first choice when there was the bathroom, kitchen, family, and theater room. Closet. Not to mention backyards and front yards. Leaving my clothes near the front door, I trailed Ebony outdoors. There was a huge pool. The Jacuzzi was already bubbling. The water was hot. I loved this shit!

Made me want to move out of my apartment and back into my house. I hadn't stayed there because I had too many memories of my mom. Everything was still the same. The only photo I'd taken from the house and hung in my place was the one taken of us one Easter Sunday.

That's when she was still with my—with Conner. We went to church every Sunday. He never went with us. Maybe he would've been a better man if he had. My mom and I were dressed in all white. Her in a pretty dress. Me in my knee-length shorts and a short-sleeved button-up with white shoes and socks. Her hand covered mine. All I saw was my thumb. Had to switch my mental before I messed up the moment with Ebony.

Doggie-style, I massaged her G-spot. Did the running man with my pointing and middle fingers facing down. Teased her clit at the same time. Did that for about ten minutes while she moaned, grunted, squirmed.

Sexing an uninhibited woman kept my dick hard. I had to please her. Didn't want to end up on her socials with the
#BadDick #SpencerDomino
. This chick had over a million followers and she wanted to fuck me. Yas!

My dick was on swole so I stuck it in her ass. She screamed so loud I thought I'd hurt her until she started laughing.

“I did it again, Spencer! You're my squirt man,” she said.

Our lips never touched. Ever. But I wanted to French that tongue of hers. Maybe she was on one of those “I'm a married woman” “kissing was too personal” trips. Didn't matter. If she kept giving me insane brain, whatever she wanted I'd do. Just couldn't do it all day.

“Hey, can I ask you a question?”

She smiled, then said, “Yes.”

“You like being choked?”

The smile on her face grew like the Grinch. “Hell, yes!”

I told her, “Next time, I got you. I'd love to chill, but I have to clock in.”

“No worries. There's a shower right there,” she said, pointing to an outdoor wall.

I did what I needed, went to the foyer, dressed, then left.

In transit to the job, I hit up LB.

“What up?” he answered.

“Man, listen. I apologize for everything. Let's not dwell on that shit. Cool?”

“If you say so, Spence.”

“Dude.”

“I'm listening,” he said all dry and shit.

“Two point five million dollars,” I told him.

LB was quiet. That meant I had that nigga's attention.

“That's what my sister will get if she has a baby. Tag on four luxury cars and a mansion. I'll fill you in on the details, but she might be worth another round.”

LB was silent.

A chick with bank made some niggas jump through hoops like a circus dog. That could never be me. Didn't do it for Blake. Would never play myself for Ebony no matter how rich and fine she was.