Page 64 of Mr. Blackwood

I stared up into my husband’s eyes. “Are you certain that you’re okay with divulging your truth to the world?”

“I am, baby. The parts about my brother and those other guys, we’re leaving that out.”

“Yes, of course. The story will only focus on where you came from, what you used to do for a living, and how you got your first properties. Is Kanaan still okay with sharing that he and his mother invested in your dreams?”

“Absolutely.”

Kanaan was supportive of Jabari’s decision, as was Regent. Jett was still apprehensive about it, and I figured it might be related to whatever secrets he was hiding. All four of them had things in their stories that they didn’t want the world to find out. I figured most wealthy people did, and I respected their decision no matter what.

They weren’t going to tell what Kanaan did by setting his father up, just that he and his mother invested in real estate with funds from their trucking business to expand their wealth.

“I just want to be sure that you’re okay.”

“I’ve got nothing to hide anymore. The bones that are hidden need to stay that way to protect other people, not me. I have no problem owning my past, but it does link to other people and might be damaging to them. As long as you’re writing my story, I know that it will be amazing because you can help the world see me through your eyes.”

My heart swelled at how much he loved and trusted me.

“You did the right thing with your dad too. I’m so blessed to get to know him in a different capacity,” I declared, looking at his father where he danced with Val.

He glanced over to his dad and smiled. His dad caught his eye and smiled and winked back at Jabari. “He looks good and healthy,” Jabari observed.

“I’m proud that we chose to support him by only serving mocktails tonight.”

“That’s my woman. Always looking out for the needs of others.” He kissed my lips, and we danced slower as the music slowed down more.

Samuel had been out of rehab for seven months, and he had gone into therapy for grief, and not long after, Jabari had joined him.

“I can think of another great deed that you did.”

“What’s that?” he asked, looking into my eyes.

“Buying out Mike Sullivan’s business and discrediting him as a businessman.”

“That’s thanks to you uncovering his mismanagement of funds and ruining all those people’s life savings,” he stated.

I had wanted to stop Mike from trying to ruin Jabari since he had vowed to find someone who would. In my efforts to prevent him from moving forward with his threat, I had uncovered years of misappropriation of funding. Not only had I done a story on it, but the impacted clients I spoke with had proof that they turned over to the authorities.

I was so thankful that everything that was designed for our downfall was the exact things that built us stronger and brought us closer. Jabari made me happy, and his love strengthened me and showed me that I didn’t have to spend my life chasing other people’s stories when I could create my own by living my life to the fullest.

In turn, my love had helped Jabari to find the healing that he needed and assisted him in opening up his heart to receive love and intimacy, which were ultimately what healed his broken heart.

It may have been a story that set me on the path to sniffing him out, but it was fate that brought us together, and love that kept us together.

THE END