Page 56 of Taint My Soul

“I run Kane Enterprises. I have eyes and ears everywhere in this country. You need help, so do I. Put the gun down.” He speaks as if he’s offering me mercy.

“Hmm,” I grunt. “I’ll think about it,” I say.

“You have until the wedding.”

“Alright.”

Prince’s family was neither friend nor foe. It was part of the reason he contacted me to pitch his proposition for his waterfront property.

“You’ll see my email on Monday.”

“Right.” I holster my gun and extend my hand to him. We shake hands before I turn and leave the lounge.

As I step outside the premises and walk to the parking lot, I regard the gray sedan parked beside my car. It’s the PI I hired. He’s worked for my late uncle a few times and has always delivered. The last time I heard rumors about him was three years ago. A man like him sticks to the shadows, revealing himself only when he’s needed. His car door clicks as he steps into the light.

“Ali.”

“Saint.” His face lightens. “What do you need from me?”

“I have enemies in my city.” I circle the rear door window to unlock the trunk. I lift the retractable tonneau cover and pull a file in a brown envelope. It contains pictures that Cross provided before I left the city with Mason. Pictures he got from several city cameras of Neo. Pictures of Mason. I was hesitant about him, but I asked him to add everything he covered when he vetted him for the personal assistant position at the company. He’d shown up when all of this started, and I just wanted to clear his name, make sure he wasn’t involved in any of it.

I hand Ali the file, and he looks at the pictures inside the envelope. “That young man is special. I need to know everything about him.” I lean against the car and cross my arms.

“Everything?”

“Yes, Ali,” I say. “How long will it take?”

“Two weeks or more, but I’ll do a thorough investigation.”

“I trust you will.”

He salutes as he enters his car and drives out of the parking lot.

Just as Ali leaves, Bernard’s car enters, slowing down in front of me. What the fuck is he doing here? My brows arch, and I take a step forward just as Mason gets out of the car. “What are you doing here?”

“I, um, I found this place online and asked Bernard to drive me.” He says without meeting my gaze.

I grumble under my breath and look at Bernard. “Get home, Bernard. I’ll take care of this.”

“Alright, boss.” The man salutes and heads into the car. We stand in the awkward silence until Bernard drives away.

“I’m going to head into the club.”

“And how will you get back to the house?”

“I could book a taxi.” He shrugs and meets my gaze. My nose flares with annoyance as I regard him one more time. Of course, he’s here to push my buttons. To make me feel that fucking feeling I hate so much. “Are you coming to the club or not?” He asks and turns on his heel, stalking toward the entrance.

Fuck!

I’m only staying here just in case he gets himself into trouble. Or do something reckless that’ll have Prince’s men point a gun at him.

As I fall behind him, a feeling of dread sinks into my stomach and snakes its way into my heart. I don’t want to do this, but I can’t leave him.

Call it whatever you want, but I can’t bear the thought of another man putting his hands on him.

I won’t let anyone close enough to dance with him or worse, touch him.

He’s off-limits. He’s mine.