I could have fainted when I realized that the man Tremaine wanted me to meet was Nicholas’s cousin, who I’d met briefly a while back. This was crazy. I wanted to pick his brain, but even more, I wanted to know why they needed me if they had someone else inside. I had a strong urge to tell Nicholas what was going on, but I knew I couldn’t do that.
“Good to see you again, Jameela.”
“Oh, so you two have met?”
I nodded. “In passing.”
“I would say I’m surprised to hear that, but it makes sense.” Tremaine noted.
“Why is that?” I asked him.
“I’ve never seen Nicholas with a woman who wasn’t the model type. Even his daughter’s mom looks like she’s straightoff a rap video. You look too real for him. I should have known something was up.”
“Oh wow,” I said, unsure of how else to respond to his comment.
“Well, that’s all for now, Jameela. You just stay available. I shouldn’t have to call you multiple times to get through.”
“You shouldn’t be calling me at all, knowing I’m on a mission. If you want me to do my job, let me do it.”
I didn’t give him time to protest before I left his office. It took everything in me not to storm out. I couldn’t believe Nicholas’s own cousin was in on the plan leading to his demise. By the time I made it back to the main lobby, my head was pounding. I couldn’t stand coming to a place I once loved. I couldn’t wait to get this case over with.
I needed another flash drive and some copying paper, so I went to the copy room to grab a few supplies. Just because I was working off the grid didn’t mean I was going to be using my own supplies.
“You must feel right at home playing house with criminals. Isn’t that how you became a single mother in the first place?” Kelly asked, sneaking up on me from behind.
“Bitch, don’t you ever speak on my child again in your life,” I said, turning to face her. She needed to see my face so she would know how serious I was.
“Hm, I’m not speaking on your child. I’m talking about how you’re trying to fuck your way to a promotion. You see how that worked for you last time.”
“Girl, move around. Worry about how much time you have to spend on your knees to get to the top, not what I do.”
I pushed past her and didn’t stop until I was outside. Once I picked Bella up from Miss Ramirez, I headed straight to Nicholas’s house. Being around him gave me a spiritual reset. I needed my nervous system regulated in a major way. Just onehug would make me feel better. How was this the man I was supposed to arrest?
About an hour later, I pulled in front of Nicholas’s door. My heart hammered against my ribcage, but I didn’t know if it was more from my anger at Tremaine or the situation as a whole. I felt nervous, even though I was more excited to see Nicholas than ever.
By the time I got Bella out of the car, Nicholas and Amira were standing at the door, waiting for us. My heart swelled as I looked at the excitement on their faces. It didn’t help that Bella squealed with excitement when Amira called her name. When I made it to the porch, I put her down and let her toddle over to her new friend.
“Hey, Miss Jameela!”
“Hey, Amira. How are you doing today?”
“I’m doing good. Me and my daddy have been waiting for you. Haven’t we, Daddy?”
Nicholas shook his head but agreed. “That’s right, baby.”
“Yep. He looked out the window like three times, but you weren’t outside yet. I said she’s coming, Daddy.”
Nicholas threw his head back and continued to shake his head as I closed in on him.
“A little birdie tells me that you missed me.”
“You didn’t need a little birdie to tell you that, habibti. I could have told you how much I missed you myself.”
I smirked, staring up into his handsome face. “I still haven’t heard you say it.”
“I missed you, Jameela,” Nicholas confirmed, dropping a kiss on my lips.
“Miss Jameela, my daddy said that we can play outside if it’s OK with you. Can Bella come see my swing set? She never got to play on it yet.”
