Page 48 of Emani's Way

“Y’all are ridiculous. It’s a strip club, not a brothel. And even if it was, I do not care. My life is mine. Maddox is a great boyfriend. Be happy that I’m happy.” This time, I look at my Mama.

She needs to understand that I am done doing things her way. I can live my life without her control. I have to.

“Tina, Maddox Reid is a fine young man. I don’t know what’s gotten into you, but this nonsense needs to come to an end,” my Daddy’s voice booms throughout the dining room, and it makes all discussion stop.

My father never raises his voice, but it looks like my Mama went too far with her meddling. Her gasp is real this time, and her wide eyes and open mouth show just how shocked she is.

“I can’t believe you, Miles. This is not the time to have this discussion.”

“Emani, have a good night, sweetheart.” My Daddy comes around the table and hugs me.

“You’re just going to let her leave? Mama! After everything we did to get her here! Oh my God, she ruins everything!”

I frown at Zuri having a full-blown temper tantrum. At thirty-seven, she’s way too old to be acting like this. There’s definitely something deeper going on.

“How do I ruin everything? My dating life has nothing to do with you. You don’t need me for anything.I’m not important.”I look at my Mama, and she bucks her eyes.

Good. Now, she knows I heard her.

“That’s right! You’re not important. All you had to do was what Mama said. The brick through your window was to get you to see that you needed to stay away from Maddox Reid. But noooo, you ran straight into his arms like the whore you are.”

“You threw the brick through my window? Zuri? What the hell!”

“Bitch! You did what?” Amari stands up and lunges at Zuri, but I hold her back.

“Shut up, Amari. This isn’t your business!” Zuri yells then she turns back to me with fire in her gaze, “You needed to learn a lesson. Ever since you came into our lives, you’ve been nothing but a headache. I was trying to get you to see reason. But forget it.Iwill be happy to be the first lady of the church once D.C. takes over. You’ll be out in the cold where Mama should’ve let you stay when Daddy’s whore leftyou.”

“Zuri! Shut up!” Both my parents yell out.

“Daddy, what is she talking about?” Amari questions.

I feel like my world just came crashing down around me. There’s no way Zuri could be telling the truth… right? Why would she say something so foul?

“You’re not my Mama?” I stare directly at her, daring her to lie to me.

My Mama looks at me with so much venom lacing her dark brown eyes that I have to take a step back. “No.”

Chapter19

MADDOX

I hate wining and dining clients. Well, in this case, more like tipping and pimping. Zachary Larson is one of the National Baseball League’s biggest stars. When he wanted representation, he sought us out.

With all the trouble he’s recently gotten into, I know he is a gold mine. The guy can’t stay off the gossip sites and blogs to save his life. He’s gone from a disorderly conduct charge to a DUI. He’s also arrogant and a narcissist. He will make the perfect client.

“Man, I love this place. The chicks in here are top-notch.” Zachary is looking around like he’s never seen a woman in his life.

I know the guy is a little on the young side, but someone should’ve sat him down and had the talk with him. Zachary just signed a one hundred million dollar five year contract with the Dallas Rovers. His agent should’ve told him about the pitfalls of money and fame.

“I’m glad you’re having a good time, I’m going to have my security Saul take care of you for the rest of the evening. I’ll send over the final paperwork in the morning.”

“Great! Thanks, man.”

We shake hands, and I leave the VIP section, where Zachary and his friends are partying like there’s no tomorrow. There was a time not too long ago that I would’ve stayed with them until the early breaks of dawn, but now that I’ve found a woman worth loving, you have to pay me to be in a club.

I stop and talk to Saul who is standing at the entrance of the VIP. “Hey, make sure you drive them back to Los Colinas. None of them should be behind the wheel.”

“Yes, sir.”