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“I broker deals all the time and he and I have crossed paths casually as was the case in this deal,” I say. “I have no financial stake in the company in question. I just registered my standard fee and frankly, I don’t know why this deal wasn’t a throwaway to Elijah. It was big money to Mick, but not to Elijah.”
“I told you,” Tabitha snaps, sounding irritated. “It’s about a bigger picture. A full package he was putting together.”
“Bottom line,” I say, flicking her a look and then refocusing on Carrie. “This is an issue, not because he lost the bid, but because the person who outbid him was fucking his wife. And thanks to Mick, and Tabitha who didn’t own it, he thinks I burned him.” I turn Carrie to face Tabitha, my hands on her shoulders as I demand, “Where is Mick now, Tabitha?”
“Europe,” she says. “If that’s even the truth. He decided to take an extended vacation without me. He doesn’t want any chance of Elijah turning on him again. Look, Elijah can be vicious and this isn’t about me as much as that deal you took from him. He really thinks you somehow know the ramifications it had on him.”
“Because he thinks you told him,” Carrie assumes.
“Yes, and I’m trying to make him see reason, but it’s not working. He kicked me out. I’m in a rental. He’s never kicked me out.”
“You sleep around,” Carrie snaps. “You deserve to be in a rental. You used Reid.”
Tabitha glares at Carrie. “Don’t be a bitch. Elijah is volatile. You don’t know what I go through.”
“So you fuck Reid and make sure he finds out?” she challenges. “You made this happen, didn’t you? You play head games. You enjoy the power.”
Tabitha’s lips quirk. “You don’t understand powerful rich men yet, I see. One day you will. Or not. Because Elijah will ruin you to ruin him if he can.” She starts walking away and Carrie actually tries to go after her, my woman protecting me, but it’s me who is going to protect her.
I catch her and turn her to face me. “Easy, baby. It’s not worth it. I’ll handle this.”
“I don’t trust anything she said was completely accurate.”
“The part where Elijah thinks I stole his business and his woman and he wants to pay me back in spades,” I say. “That part’s pretty clear. How it came about, not so clear, but irrelevant.”
“We have this meeting recorded,” Carrie says. “That’s what matters. That should end this.”
With anyone but Elijah I’d agree, I think, as Savage steps to our sides. “What’s the word?”
“Bottom line,” Carrie says, “Mick and Tabitha tried to hurt Elijah financially and they blamed Reid and made it seem like he was still sleeping with Tabitha.”
A sudden thought hits me and I curse. “Reese. I was supposed to meet him.”
“I called him,” Savage says. “I told him you’d call him when you were on your way. I told him you had a problem that you’d explain in person. My involvement didn’t comfort him.” His gaze lifts and he eyes us. “As if driving home that statement, guess who just impatiently walked in the door.”
I turn to find Reese walking in our direction and Carrie grabs my arm. “Remember. He has something in common with you right now. An intense need to protect the woman he loves.”
I cover her hand with mine. “I know, baby, which is why I need you to give me a minute with him alone.” I kiss her knuckles. “Go check on Kesha. I won’t leave without coming up first.”
“You won’t leave without me. Say it, because I am going to be dying upstairs wondering what I missed, but I get it. You need to have a man-to-man, macho talk because that’s what you men do.”
“And then the smart men tell their women everything, I’ve learned. I won’t leave without you.”
She kisses my cheek. “Stay smart.”
I step away from her to walk toward Reese. Blake walks in behind Reese and in a matter of a few more steps, I’m huddled up with Reese, Blake, and Savage. I run down the entire conversation with Tabitha with everyone. Reese listens and asks specific questions, but as one expects from a world-class trial attorney, he doesn’t overreact. “Damn it, I hate that I have to go home and tell my wife this is happening,” he says. “But while I worry about her, you and Carrie, Reid, she’s not going to worry about herself at all. She’s going to worry about you and Carrie and I think there’s reason. I’m a criminal attorney. I’ve seen a lot of bad shit. Elijah might not be crazy, but when you hit a man’s pocketbook and fuck his wife, he can easily go over the deep end.”
“We have proof that Reid isn’t guilty,” Blake says. “I listened in. The wires you wore captured it all.”
“Then this ends quickly,” Reese suggests. “That’s good news.”
This is where I say what I haven’t yet said to Carrie. “You don’t know Elijah,” I say. “He won’t back off. He has hate for me that stretches back years.”
“If he doesn’t back off,” Reese counters, “then you hurt him, but be clear, Reid. That’s war and I know you’re good at going to war, but the world shifts when you’re no longer a loner. This war puts your woman, and my wife, on the battlefield.”
“I’m crystal-fucking-clear on that point or I wouldn’t have called you,” I bite out.
Reese gives me a direct look, his voice level, calm. “I know man. I just don’t want Cat upset right now. She’s had enough crap to deal with during this pregnancy.” He grips my shoulder. “Call me if you need me. I’ll help.” His eyes meet mine. “The way I know you helped us when we were being threatened by that crazy woman claiming she was having my baby.”
