She shook her head and looked away, but she was still smiling when she did it. “Send the offer to the sellers realtor.”
“I already did.” I informed her. See Monica was blowing me up for personal time and when she couldn’t get that, she went a different route, one that she knew would get my attention when business was involved. Although she was sexy and all that, I wasn’t trying to slide back through no females I already had because the dude I was back then, ain’t the same man I am now and if I remembered right, she was possessive as hell. She wasn’t even my girl and was fighting and busting windows of every female I was dealing with back then so hell no; I couldn’t deal with Monica. I liked to run a tight ship over here.
Her eyes shot back to mine. “That fast?”
“You said yes, that’s all I needed to hear.”
“I could’ve changed my mind.”
I glared in her eyes. “You won’t.”
She folded her arms across her breast studying me like she was trying to decide if she wanted to cuss me out or flirt some more. “You’re still the same Lev, just with a suit on.”
I slid my keys from my pocket and looked toward the hallway. “Yeah, only to people who forget what I am.”
“See? There foes that arrogance again.” She laughed pointing her finger. “You always gotta have the last word.”
“I usually do.”
“Just cocky.”
“I’m successful.” I winked.
She rolled her eyes and I ignored it and looked down at my phone as my assistant’s response came through. Everything she needed for the offer was already ready. I shot back a quick reply then confirmed a few details.
“I need you to do better.” Monica said.
“What?”
“You just sold a two-million-dollar house and acted like somebody ordered a damn sandwich from Robby’s corner store.”
I laughed this time cause we had some memories at Robby’s. “The house isn’t sold yet Ms. Monroe. The paperwork isn’t signed either and because of that the money ain’t moved so ask me how excited I am after closing.”
Monica adjusted the strap on her purse. “Well, congratulations anyway.”
“I’ll take it after underwriting.”
She chuckled. “Such an asshole.”
“Yet here you are with me.” I grinned. “Have a good day, Monica.”
“You too, Lev.”
I headed toward the front door before she could start another conversation and when I stepped outside; the smile disappeared from my face, and it was a good day because business was handled and the offer was in motion. My client was happy and now it was time to figure out why my cousin was laid up at Jackson Memorial fighting for his life. A few minutes later, I pulled out of Coral Gables and headed toward the hospital.
CHAPTER 5
Navy ‘Nay’ Prescott
It had only been one day since I’d officially labeled myself a damn criminal and I tossed and turned all night because I couldn’t get it off of my mind. It was a good thing that today was my day off, but I hated how Rome took me to lunch like we were just a normal couple right now. I thought of everything I could to get out of it, but he wouldn’t take no for an answer, and it really wasn’t worth me starting an argument then getting bruised up again because at this point playing nice was the only thing keeping me from snapping on him in public and making a bigger mess than the one I was already in. I couldn’t understand how men did whatever they wanted but always had that one they didn’t want to let go.
He pulled up in front of the restaurant acting real husbandly, opening doors and asking if I was okay every five minutes while touching the small of my back like he hadn’t been the same man who had my face covered in makeup just to hide what he did. I smiled when I needed to, and I gave him short answers as I kept reminding myself that none of this was real.
We sat near the window, and Rome ordered appetizers for both of us before I even got a chance to open my mouth. That used to make me feel taken care of but now it irritated the hell out of me. Everything with him had always looked sweet from the outside until you realized it was just another way for him to be in charge of something or feel like he was paying the cost to be the boss. I picked up my water and took a sip, pretending to look around the restaurant while my mind stayed on the money sitting in the hiding spot I had made for it in my purse.Fifty thousand dollars,I thought to myself. I had counted it twice after work, then one more time this morning just to make sure my eyes hadn’t been playing tricks on me. I had three big ass knots of cash that didn’t belong to me but felt like the first real chance I had at getting away from him.
Rome’s phone started ringing on the table before the appetizers even came. He glanced down at it, and I didn’t have to see the name to know who it was. His whole demeanor changed in a way that only a woman would definitely notice. I knew every version of Rome’s lying ass so he damn sure couldn’t hide it from me. He flipped the phone over like that was supposed to make it disappear, then he looked back at me and smiled like I was stupid.
“You okay baby?” he asked.
