Page 31 of Rich Forever: Zo & Remy

Not one full-length interview.

Only clips, under a minute long, all from events, award ceremonies, or fundraisers. He never sat in front of the camera for long. Never told his full story. Always gave short statements about hope and resilience.

I opened another tab. Search: Douglas Black, Bronx, New York

A couple of news articles appeared; the first was a missing-persons article about Douglas Black, who was reported missing after his car was found in an embankment.

I clicked the second link.

The article read:

Douglas Black has been identified as the John Doe in the hospital after being critically injured in a collision involving three vehicles…

So, it was a car accident? I felt like I had uncovered the mystery as I continued to read before exiting and going to the next article.

I rubbed my temples.

“He gave eight figures,” I mumbled to myself. “You’re tired, that’s all, Remy. Tired, overthinking, and full of Zo. That’s it, that’s all.”

I pushed the feeling that I had to the back of my mind. Now that I had read everything there was to know about Mr. Black, I felt horrible. The Mafia had really done a number on me; it taught me to think that everything was suspicious, even when it wasn’t. I exited the browser and decided to do some real work. I’m sure there was something around the office that my assistant could use a hand with.

Before I could get up, there was a firm knock on my door.

I jumped, then chuckled at my damn paranoia.

My husband walked in looking fine as hell. “What’s up, baby?” He asked as he walked in, with a smile on his face. He had left early this morning, and I just threw my cheek for him to kiss when he told me he was about to leave so I hadn’t seen him. But he was dressed down, so I knew he was on drop duty today. He had on two Cuban links, a bust-down watch, and his wedding ring. I could smell the scent of his cologne as soon as he came through the door.

“Why are you walking around looking this good?” I asked him playfully.

“I came to take my wife to brunch. Let’s go to that new spot you wanted to try.” He said as he leaned over the desk and kissed me briefly.

I didn’t exchange words with him; I just slipped my heels back on and walked around the desk to go have brunch with my man.

“I’m about to step out. If you need me before I make it back, call me.” I said to my assistant on our way to the door.

We walked to the curb for the awaiting vehicle, and I slid into the back seat of it. I threw my legs across him and rubbed the nape of his neck as the driver pulled away from the curb.

With my legs over him, I reached out and straightened his chain, letting my fingertips graze the top of his chest.

“You dressed too fine for brunch,” I teased.

The look he gave me was instant heat. He leaned in and brushed against my lips. “Rem, stop playing with me, I’m trying to take you to brunch, don’t fuck around and be brunch.” He warned with his eyebrows raised.

I chuckled and decided to be on my best behavior. I actually wanted to make it to this new café, and if I kept at the rate that we were going, those plans would be on the back burner.

“I’ll behave,” I said as I continued to rub his neck. He brought my foot up to his mouth and kissed it. Right at the spot where his name was tattooed.

“You look pretty as fuck, Rem. I forgot to say that earlier when I walked into your office, Ma.” He said, his eyes doing a quick scan of my attire again.

“Thank you, baby.” My heart fluttered. Zo tells me I’m pretty sixty times a day. And it does something to me each time. No matter how long we’ve been together, he never fails to make me feel like we’re still in the dating phase.

The driver pulled up to the curb outside the café, a clean, modern spot with big windows, greenery everywhere, and people lined up for tables. Zo slid out first and held his hand out for me. As soon as I placed my palm in his, he pulled me up and tucked me right under his side.

Inside, the hostess nearly tripped over her words when she saw him. “H-hello, welcome in. Do you have a reservation?”

“Yeah, I do,” he said, hand still on my waist. “Under Richardson.”

Her eyes darted between us, then she hurried off to grab menus. Zo’s thumb was rubbing slow circles into my hip, his chain catching the light, his cologne everywhere around me. Iwould let it slide for now; it wasn’t every day she saw a man this fine. I laughed aloud at the thought.