With that, I watched as Fury’s expression shifted from anger to reluctant acceptance. He took a step back, and I knewhe understood that I wasn’t fucking around. “I’ll be back because you’re my only option.”
“No, you won’t,” I shot back, watching him turn and walk away.
As Fury and his crew walked out of Enchant, I saw Draven approaching with a questioning look. “What was that all about?”
I let out a cynical laugh, shaking my head. “Fury thinks he can play with the grownups.”
As Draven chuckled, my phone buzzed on the bar. I glanced down to see Aviana’s name and picture flashing on the screen.
I hurriedly answered. “Avi…”
The sound of her tears on the other end sent a chill down my spine. It felt like déjà vu.
“What’s wrong?” I asked gently, knowing she needed me.
“Can you come over?” She sniffed, her voice trembling. “Damar’s been arrested, and I don’t want to be alone.”
Surprised, my head reared back. “Arrested? For what?”
“Jeremy’s murder,” she said, and the shock of her words hit me hard.
“Where are you?”
“I’m back at the hotel.”
“I’ll be there right away.”
As I held Aviana on the couch in the living room of the suite, I wrapped my arms around her tightly, letting her rest her head against my chest. She felt fragile in my embrace, and I could feel the turmoil consuming her. My fingers gently traced her back, trying to soothe the confusion and fear that radiated from her.The warmth of her body against mine was comforting, but it only heightened the anger simmering beneath the surface of my skin.
I couldn’t wrap my head around the fact that Jeremy had recorded his own death. It all sounded so unbelievable that I made Aviana recount what the detective had said at least three times, each time hoping I’d hear something different. But it got more real with every repetition, and the anger inside me began to flare to boiling hot.
I was a ruthless man with a lot of blood on my hands. But I couldn’t imagine taking the life of my own child. The rage I felt knowing that Damar had taken Jeremy’s life was dangerous and uncontrollable. Jeremy and I hadn’t been very close, but he didn’t deserve to die, especially at the hands of his own father. Damar was lucky that he was in a cell, otherwise he would have been six feet deep.
As Avi had explained everything to me, I texted Timmy. I told him to confirm the recording’s validity and to get a copy of it.
“Why would Damar have Mia’s phone?” Avi’s voice trembled with uncertainty. “And why would he kill Jeremy just for knowing he had it? It doesn’t make any sense.”
I could see the wheels turning in her mind, her brow creased as she tried to piece it all together.
“He obviously has something to hide.” As she continued, she looked up, searching my eyes for answers I didn’t have. “He obviously didn’t want anyone to find out that he had that phone.”
“I’m sure they are investigating Mia and Damar’s connection.”
“They are, but she wouldn’t tell me anything because it’s an ongoing investigation. I’m sure they only told me about the recording because they wanted me to tell them anything I knew.”
“I’ll find out.” I was furious at the thought of Damar being a snake, manipulating everyone around him while hiding behinda facade that had even tricked me. I knew that he was a bitch-ass nigga, but I hadn’t seen this coming.
Aviana looked up at me with her eyes wide with worry. “Do you think he’ll get out on bail?”
I shook my head. “With the irrefutable evidence against him? He’ll probably be denied bail. If he’s smart, he should take a plea deal when it’s offered.”
She sighed as relief and worry crossed her features. I couldn’t blame her for feeling torn; I was just as conflicted.
I held her a little tighter, protecting her like a shield.
As I held her close, I felt Aviana’s stomach growling softly.
“Have you eaten?” I asked, placing a soft kiss on her shoulder, savoring the warmth of her skin beneath my lips.
