“His name is East. It’s not about drugs and it’s not his fault. It was just a misunderstanding. The cop that arrested him is dirty. He didn’t have a reason to take him, but he did. I don’t know allof the details, but I need your help getting him out because it’s kind of my fault. I didn’t know who else to call.”
“Because you don’t have anyone else to call, Joi!” Ava snapped at her. She loved her niece with all her heart, but Joi didn’t have the best taste in men. She never seemed to settle on those who were worthy of even half of her time. Ava glanced over her shoulder at her boyfriend, who was now fully awake with a scowl on his face. She knew it was more from the fact that they both had been awakened from a deep sleep after a night of partying and great sex. Cabo understood Ava’s relationship with Joi. Her niece was more like a daughter since she had been in her care since just after her twelfth birthday. “So, this East person, is he into anything I need to be concerned about?”
Ava noticed the look of recognition that flashed across Cabo’s face at the mention of the name East. She could already sense things getting even more complicated. As to not have to repeat herself if Cabo needed details about the matter, she removed the phone from her ear and placed it on speaker.
“No, not that I know of. He owns a barbershop and a tattoo parlor. That’s not why he was arrested. The cop was just being an ass. He thought that East assaulted me…”
“Hold the fuck up. This man put his hands on you, Joi?”
“No! Absolutely not!” Joi almost yelled, leaving no room for debate. “It wasn’t him, it was Reg, but when I told the detective it wasn’t East, he said I could be answering under duress and he was taking him in anyway. He arrested East and took him away in cuffs. He didn’t believe me when I said it wasn’t him so I think he might need an attorney. Can you help me with that?”
Ava looked back at Cabo who was now watching her intensely. The grimace etched on his face was a clear sign that he knew whoever this East person was.
“When did this happen?” Cabo spoke before Ava could.
Joi had been around him enough to recognize his voice, so she answered without hesitation. “About thirty minutes ago.”
“We’ll be on the jet within the hour. I’ll send someone until I can get there. Well never mind. Let me call Pavia. He can fly out with us.”
“Okay, what should I do?”
“Go home,” Cabo stated bluntly before he walked, grabbing his phone from the dresser to make the call to assure his jet would be ready for a flight. Joi considered his statement and shut her eyes briefly. Had she done that when East asked, he wouldn’t be locked up right now.
“Sweetheart, are you sure you’re okay?”
“Yes, this is my fault.”
“How?”
“It just is. I didn’t listen.”
“Joi, is there anything else you need to tell me?”
“No, not like that. Not anything that matters. I just didn’t trust him when I should have.”
“It happens, don’t worry too much. Just go home. I’ll be there soon and don’t worry. If it can be fixed, I can guarantee Cabo will get it handled. You’ll have to trust me on that.”
“I do,” Joi whispered lowly. She had all the faith in the world when it came to her aunt. She had never let Joi down and she knew who Ava’s boyfriend was and what he was capable of. It was the only thing that relieved the restricted feeling that resided in her chest since the moment East and Patterson left his shop.
“Good. I love you and I’ll see you soon.”
“Love you too.”
Ava ended the call just as Cabo ended his. She stood from the bed, inhaling a short breath, feeling the exhaustion in her body before she addressed him.
“He’s one of yours?”
Cabo nodded but didn’t respond verbally.
“Should I be concerned? Is he good enough for my baby?”
That pushed a smile from Cabo which caused Ava to narrow her eyes at him. “That depends, amIgood enough foryou?”
“This is not about you.”
Cabo’s smile stretched a little wider. “Technically it is. East could be me. He just chooses not to be. He’s content with his life. He doesn’t want the stress that comes with who I am, but make no mistake, if it’s what he wanted, he would have it.”
Ava understood exactly what that meant and she worried. Her situation with Cabo came with a lot of factors. His life complicated hers. Although he had multiple homes all over, they constantly traveled, she was always under his watchful eye because of who he was. Her safety was a priority, so he made sure she was never too far. The spoils attached to him were what most couldn’t even imagine in their wildest dreams, but sometimes she found herself wanting simplicity. She would never have that with Cabo. Ava didn’t want that for Joi. Dealing with a low level, wannabe drug dealer like Reg didn’t really pose a threat to Joi. Ava assumed her niece would eventually outgrow the phase. She very well couldn’t force her hand considering her life. Hearing that she was now involved with a man who mirrored the potential of the one she loved was cause for alarm. Loving a man like Cabo came with a lot, and if East was anything like him, she didn’t want that for Joi. Ava was anxious to get home to figure out what was going on. It had been a few months since she had seen or talked to Joi outside of checking in with a quick call or text. Apparently it was time to do a face-to-face.
