Chapter 6

Xavier

I sent Lucas, my second-in-command to find Jackie. If Vera finds her before I do or before the lawyer does, it’s not going to end very well. Over the years, I’ve studied Vera to know the things she’s capable of doing.

Jackie is what some people call first love. A very long time ago, Derek as a teenager fell in love with Jackie, but due to social differences, his family frowned upon it. Vera was introduced into his life and he was forced to marry her.

Three years after, Derek ran into Jackie again and they started again. Angela is the product of that affair. She got pregnant and Derek’s parents swore to pin her with a crime and send her to jail if she doesn’t sign the child over to Derek under full custody without no visitation rights.

She did as she was told out of fear and disappeared after that. Nobody saw or heard anything about her again until her name was mentioned in Derek’s will a few days ago.

I know the question of how I have such personal information about Derek will ring in your heads. I’ll tell you. Derek was a very good friend. More like a very close friend. He has been in my life for the past twenty years, and I’ve been in his way longer than that, but I kept my distance from him and his family, so my enemy will not become their enemy.

But I guess all that doesn’t matter anymore. I’m married to his daughter per his request and the enmity in his family is capable of wiping them all off.

My phone vibrated in the compartment and I clicked on the blue tooth attached to my ear. “Ellmord.”

“Bossman.” Lucas's voice filled my ears. “I’m sorry to bother you, but we’re having a problem with the shipment coming in from China. The customs are insisting on searching our containers.”

Shit. I have tons of cocaine in those containers. “Give Theodore a call, ask him what’s going on. Tell him that I’m curious as to why his men are insisting on searching my containers.”

“I’ve called him several times boss, but he’s not answering my calls.”

Pathetic son of a bitch. He doesn’t get to behave like this when I pay him generously. “If he isn’t answering your calls, then pay him a visit.”

“Yes, boss.”

“Lucas?” He kept quiet, paying close attention to me. “When I say visit him, I do not mean a friendly visit. He needs to know that he can’t just wake up and decide not to answer your calls.”

“Yes, boss.” He breathed audibly. “Am I allowed to say something boss?”

Lucas was the first guy I employed to work for me. He has been with me from the onset. “Since when do you ask for my permission before saying whatever that is going on in your head?”

He chuckled deeply. “It’s regarding the Shirley family. Do you have to get involved with them? I know Derek pleaded with you to get married to his daughter so your name can protect them when he’s gone, but that family is fucked up boss man, you don’t have to play their games with them.”

“I got five hotels from them because I chose to play this game with them.”

Lucas snorted. “You and I know you don’t need those hotels or money.” He barked orders at someone in the background. “Why can’t you just stay married to Natasha and leave it at that? We need you here boss.”

Turning off the car, I got down and walked into Shirley’s manor. “Don’t be dramatic Lucas, I’ll be only gone for a week.” I noticed that Natasha’s car is not in the garage. “I have my reason for being here and I don’t know what gave you guys the impression that I do not need those hotels.”

“You’re there for Angela right?” I chose to ignore his question. “It’s all over the news that she returned home for the funeral. If you are so attracted to her, why didn’t you just get married to her instead?”

“I am not answerable to you Lucas. Do well to remember that. I’ll be back in the next two days,” hopefully it will be enough to get her out of here…out of this city. “Until then, try not to whine about missing me.”

“I said nothing about missing you.” He grumbled. “If anything, I think you miss my black ass more than I miss your white ass.”

“You’re being a racist right now Lucas.” I jested. Walking into the house, I noticed how quiet everywhere is. At least it was quiet until I heard a glass crash upstairs. “I have to go Lucas. I need an update on Theodore and my shipment.”

“Sure thing boss. I’ll speak to you after I visit his place.” I disconnected the call.

When the glass crashed again, I slowly made my way up the stairs. The noise led me to Angela’s room. When she crashed yet another glass, I twisted her doorknob, opened the door, and let myself in.

Seated on the floor, at the foot of her bed, Angela looks like someone who was just delivered from a demon that possessed her. The cause of the noise lay in pieces at the other end of the room.

I approached her carefully. “Angela?” She stiffened at the mention of her name. “Are you okay?” It seems Derek’s death hit her harder than I expected.

“I don’t want it.” She cried, shaking her head vehemently. “I don’t want it! I don’t deserve it!”

“You don’t want what?” Settling down beside her, I pried her fingers off her face. “What don’t you want?” Her lips quivered. “What do you think you don’t deserve?”

“S.H fashion. I don’t want it…I don’t deserve it.” She stared at me with pain-filled eyes. “I’m giving it to Natasha. She can have it.”