“I assume you didn’t say much other than to present your innocence on the matter.”
East laughed arrogantly before his eyes lifted to Pavia. The fact that another man was standing over him while he was cuffedto a table annoyed him. When their eyes met, and East didn’t speak, Pavia had his answer.
“Very good. I assumed I wouldn’t have that issue with your case based on the information Cabo provided me about you. Give me about an hour and I’ll have you out of here. I need to tie up a few loose ends. I’m requesting Patterson not be allowed in here while we’re waiting. I assume you don’t object.”
Again, East only provided a look that had Pavia grinning. “Okay, then. Sit tight and I'll be back when it’s time for you to walk out of here.”
East lifted his free hand and pushed it down his face. One more hour was an hour too long but there wasn’t a damn thing he could do about it. So he waited.
As promised, forty-five minutes later, East was walking out the doors of the precinct a free man with Pavia by his side. Pavia pointed to the all-white Bentley parked across the street waiting with a black on black Yukon behind it. Once they both had eyes on the vehicle, Pavia started in that direction. East did the same, and when they reached the vehicle, the driver stepped out, opened the rear door, and Cabo stepped out.
“We all set in there?”
“Yes, sir. I’ll follow up tomorrow just to be sure, but as of now it’s handled.”
Cabo extended a hand to Pavia and the two men shook. “Thanks again. I know you get tired of this last-minute shit.” Cabo grinned and Pavia did as well.
“No more than you get tired of paying me for it.”
Cabo chuckled and nodded before Pavia extended a hand to East. “I wish I could say it was a pleasure meeting you but under the circumstances…” He smirked.
East shook his hand and nodded.
“This for me?”
Cabo nodded and Pavia turned on his heels to leave. “Until next time, gentlemen.”
Moments later, Pavia was in the SUV, which pulled off immediately after.
“Let’s go. I’ve been instructed to bring you to my lady right after I got you released.”
East’s entire face hardened.
“Nah, I’m good. I have shit to do.”
Cabo chuckled and looked him right in the eyes. “East, get in the car. I know you’re not accustomed to anyone telling you what to do. It’s one of the qualities in you I value the most, so I’m asking as a courtesy. One man to another, my lady has requested to speak with you and yours is there with her.”
East’s face was tight again, causing Cabo to push out a deep breath. “Please, just appease me.”
The night had been long and East was exhausted. He was just ready to shower and get in his bed. The problem was that no matter what had gone down, including him being locked up for a few hours, East wanted Joi in his bed with him. He also needed to be around her after what Reg had done. So his need to make sure she was good outweighed his anger for her being the reason behind the last few hours being so terribly fucked up.
After both men were in the car. Cabo looked over at East with a slow smile. “So, it appears we have more in common than either of us thought.”
The look East gave had Cabo further exhaling.
“Ava and Joi. I’m sure you weren’t aware that they were related, as I wasn’t aware that you were involved with Joi.”
East had never met Ava but knew of her through Cabo mentioning her name. It totally fucked with his head that Ava was the aunt Joi was so close to, the one who raised her.
“Involved,” East snorted out, considering Cabo’s wording.
Cabo grinned and nodded. “She called Ava the second Patterson took you away. She was extremely worried and didn’t know what to do. You may not be involved but she is. Which leads me to this: If she’s just another means to pleasure for you then find another resource. Joi is important to Ava so she’s important to me. I respect you but you can’t fuck over a woman my lady loves like her own child. I can’t have that.”
East looked at Cabo unbothered. “You don’t get to speak on anything that concerns me or who I deal with. If it’s not a business transaction then it’s not your fucking business.”
Cabo and East maintained strong eye contact with neither of them showing signs of weakness. Any other person who spoke to Cabo in the manner East had just done would likely already have a bullet in their head, but Cabo liked East, a lot. He also knew his lady would have him by the balls if he didn’t show up with East alive and well.
“You’re right, but as a courtesy, I’m asking. You’re a man just like me. We think alike. I understand asking you to handle Joi with care is crossing lines but I’m asking. I don’t ask for shit, East, neither do you, so I’m sure you understand the value in that.”
