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Tezni laughed hard. I rolled my eyes.

"I'm glad you're amused."

"I'm very fucking amused but I also know you. You'll be fine. Whatever went down between you and that man does not change anything about how you stand on business. Submission in the bedroom doesn't have a damn thing to do with dominating in the boardroom."

I grinned at the confidence in her tone. "You're right. I'm overthinking this."

"You are, and if Christian can't respect you just because he's seen you naked, then he's going to be very fucking sorry when your name is all over that deal, Scot. Because make no mistake about it, you're there to buy that property and make it something amazing and you're going to do just that. Middle finger in the air to him and every other man who doesn't believe you're the shit."

"Thank you for reminding me I got this."

"Bill is in the mail, friend."

I laughed and shook my head. "I have to go. I have a meeting in an hour. Are you okay? How are things?"

"I have four appointments today so the bills are paid. I also looked over the locations you sent me. I just have to figure out where the hell the money will come from…"

I opened my mouth to say I would help but before I could get the words out she cut me off.

"And no, this will be all on me until I ask for help. I just need time to work through some things, and if I need help, I promise I'll ask."

"No you won't." I smiled.

"You're right; I won't. But you will not let me fail. So when I try to do too much and get in over my head, you'll be there. That's already understood. Love you, go handle your shit and call me later."

"I will, love you too."

I had a few hours before I needed to deal with Christian. So right now my focus was on sitting with BWB and getting them behind me on this project so I had at least one ally.

eight

Christian.

I pulled up at The Offices at Paramount hoping Jhorie would give me what I needed. Ezekiel had built the business park for his wife after she started Heart of the Block, which focused on advocating for community resources in less fortunate areas.

In the past couple years, a small idea had turned into a thriving community resource. We all donated generously because it was such a great cause. And if I had to write a check today to gain the access I needed, then I was more than willing to do so. I didn't necessarily mind but hopefully it wouldn't come to that.

When I entered the building, I smiled when E'siah's little face was the first one I noticed. His tiny voice was infectious as he ran away from his mother, likely assuming he was moving fast enough to escape. The only thing that saved him was her unhurried pace behind him, letting the kid get away from her.

"Fass."

Jhorie grabbed him around the waist and lifted him into the air. He giggled and hugged her neck before he twisted enough to work his way out of her arms. She managed to get him on his feet before he crash landed on the floor. That was when theyboth noticed I was near the door and he took off in my direction. "Kichen."

That shit got me every time. Christian in his childlike gibberish. He crashed against my legs and I scooped him from the floor and hugged his tiny body.

"What's up, Siah?"

"Fass." He grinned and I chuckled.

"Yeah?"

He nodded wildly then twisted out of my arms just like he did with his mother. I handled him with less finesse than her but managed not to let him land on his ass.

"Fass." He stumbled away from me and clumsily moved around the lobby before he made his way back to me. I kneeled down and brushed a hand over his head. "You are very fast. High five."

"Fihh." He bounced on his toes, threw his tiny hand against mine, and took off again.

Jhorie walked over after warning him to be careful to which E'siah yelled "K, Mama." but clearly had no intention of being careful based on the reckless way he climbed onto one of the lobby chairs and jumped off.