CJ shifted beside me, his knee brushing mine as he leaned in. “Guess that’s where my people come in. Stir up a little chaos an’ shit.”
There was no mistaking the flirtiness in his voice as his eyes slid over me. “That just happens to be my specialty.”
A soft laugh slipped out before I could stop it. This man was bold.
I crossed my legs and lifted my chin. “Is that so?”
“Yeah,” he murmured, leaning in until his lips almost brushed my ear. “I’m very interested in learning whatyourspecialty is, mama.”
“Ay, yo!”
Fontaine’s voice cut through the room. He was on his feet, chest all puffed up, looking about to put CJ through a wall.
CJ raised his hands with a grin. “My fault, my fault. This you, bruh?”
I cocked my head and arched a brow at Fontaine. He stared back like I’d crossed some invisible line. Between Cash crashing out and whatever this little pissing contest was turning into, I was about to barf from all the testosterone in the room.
“I’m sending y’all the bill if you niggas fuck the room up,” Jelani grumbled.
Cash stepped in and murmured something in his ear. It clearly worked because Fontaine sat back down, but continued glaring at CJ and me.
“CJ, chill on Nairobi,” Cash deadpanned. “She’s really handy with a knife and a gun.”
CJ chuckled, licking his lips as his eyes darted back to me. “Oh, word?”
I rolled my eyes, turning back to the others. Across the room, Slim frowned as his gaze bounced between me and Fontaine, probably connecting all the dots.
I cleared my throat. “So, the Reapers will provide a distraction…” I wasn’t about to be the center of attention.
“Right,” Fontaine said, voice clipped. “Slim will be with the Reapers for the diversion. I’ll send out the hotel layout tonight and work on scrambling their cameras.”
“Why not just cut the lights?” Jelani suggested.
“Too much confusion,” Fontaine replied without looking up. “Security would lock that place down. A blackout at a gala full of city officials? That’s a recipe for disaster.”
“You don’t think we can handle it?” I pressed.
He looked up. His face was calm, but I could see the fire in his eyes. “Did I say that? I’m just saying too many unknowns.”
“Fine,” I conceded. “If I can get the burner to Jasmine, we’ll still be able to find her if things go left.”
Cash shrugged. “Works for me.”
“Thanks, boss man,” I smiled, throwing Fontaine a pointed look.
“Whatever,” Fontaine scowled.
For the next few hours, we worked out the plan. I’d roll into the gala with Cash and Jelani as arm candy, keeping an eye on Jasmine until she slipped off to the bathroom, where I’d hand off the burner. If anyone got in our way, we’d drop them.
I hung back once Slim and CJ left. Fontaine stormed out as soon as we finished. I already knew he was going to be on some bullshit whenever I got back to the room.
“Is she worth all this?” I asked Cash after Jelani dipped off to his side of the suite.
Cash was by the wet bar, pouring himself a drink. “Why you ask?”
“‘Cause I’m about to drop a stack in Saks on a dress that’s going to end up trashed before the night’s over.”
He chuckled and sank into the armchair across from me with a distant look.
