Page 82 of Ascension

“He’s desperate,” I said. “Lennox confirmed he’s got multiple lawsuits, paternity claims, and his new wife is draining him dry. He’s running out of money and pride.”

“Good,” Calil muttered. “Let him drown in both.”

Before I could reply, Caleb’s gaze shifted past me, and his eyebrows shot up.

“Uh, Calla?” he said carefully. “Speaking of thick ass Amiyah, isn’t that her over there?”

I turned. And sure enough, in a booth across the room sat Amiyah, with him, the bum ass ex-boyfriend who treated her like shit during one of the most devastating times in her life, Jason Anderson, in the flesh, looking smug and unworthy as ever.

My stomach dropped, then twisted into something sharper.

“Breathe,” James murmured beside me, sensing the shift in my energy.

“I’m fine,” I lied, already standing.

Calil whispered to Caleb, “She’s about to not be fine.”

I walked straight across the room, heels clicking against the tile, every head turning just enough to know something was about to happen. Amiyah spotted me mid-sentence, her eyes widening, while her ex had the nerve to smile.

I leaned down, close enough for my breath to brush her ear. “You have ten minutes, mmmm scratch that, five, to wrap this up, get your ass in your car, and head to my place, where the doorman will let you up. When you get there, I want you completely naked, on your knees. If you’re not gone in five, I will spank my pussy and ass so hard you won’t be able to sit through a staff meeting for a week. Clear?”

Her mouth parted in shock, then something else flickered, recognition, unbridled heat, arousal, and most importantly, obedience. She nodded her head up and down as I grabbed her chin and kissed her extremely nasty. “Good girl,” I said before turning to walk away.

I straightened, gave Jason a look cold enough to frost glass, and walked back to my table like nothing happened.

Caleb and Calil were staring at me, eyes wide, trying and failing not to laugh.

Caleb spoke first. “So… I’m guessing that wasn’t a friendly reunion?”

“More of a motivational talk,” I said smoothly, contacting my doorman to let him know to expect Amiyah and let her up before setting my phone on the table and opening the timer app.

James was already smirking. “You really just set a timer?”

“Yes.” Beep. “Five minutes.”

Calil waswheezing. “Oh my God, she’s serious.”

“Deadly,” Caleb said, grinning. “We should start the countdown music.”

The timer ticked down while we tried to eat, though it was impossible with my brothers’ running commentary.

Calil: “Three minutes! You think she’s gonna make it?”

Caleb: “She’s folding that napkin like she’s signing a peace treaty. She’s scared.”

When the timer hit zero, my phone chimed, sharp and sweet. I glanced toward the booth just in time to see Amiyah stand, grab her bag, and all but sprint toward the door, not even stopping to speak to us or James. Her ex sat there looking confused and more than a little terrified, and that’s the way I preferred it.

Caleb doubled over laughing. “Yo! She really left on the bell!”

Calil was wiping tears. “Nah, she knows better. I love her already.”

Even James couldn’t hold it together, his laugh deep and warm. “Uh oh,” he said between chuckles. “Looks like my girl’s about to have her first real encounter with The Dahlia herself.”

We finished our drinks, packed up our food, stood, and I grabbed James by the hand, “Come on, Carter. We have a date with obedience.”

Caleb whistled low. “You’re terrifying, sis.”

“Efficient,” I corrected as I chuckled.