It was time for me to get back and ensure that all my secrets stayed secret. And Reesa was one of the few people who knew them.
I’m so close to getting what I want. I can’t afford for it to all go to shit over a few hours of girl time.
It was easy to tell myself I wanted to head back to get rid of Reesa, but the truth was, I enjoyed Alysa’s company. If it meant sitting back and letting my sister do the interrogating so I could learn more about Alysa, so be it.
Even before I returned home, my cell phone rang. I knew it was James without even looking.
“What is it?” I asked.
“You’re playing a dangerous game, Florraz. His men are armed and won’t think twice about putting a bullet in you,” he said.
“And here I was thinking that you and your men would put one in them first. Guess you’re not as good as you bragged about being,” I said sarcastically.
“Careful, Florraz. You wouldn’t want them to miss and hit you by mistake,” James snarled.
I wasn’t worried. James might not like me, but I had full confidence that he hated Ocalla more.
“Was there something else you wanted?” I asked.
“Yes. There is a woman at your house. The same one who was there last night.”
“And?” He wasn’t telling me anything I didn’t already know.
“Are you sure you can trust her?” he asked.
“Do you really think Ocalla is sending a woman to take me out?” I chuckled.
“I learned long ago that it’s usually the one you least suspect. The most innocent.”
The most innocent in my home right now was Alysa, and I didn’t think she could fight her way out of a wet paper bag in her condition. Reesa wasn’t a delicate wallflower like Alysa. Most women of Tabiq weren’t. They’d grown up with the knowledge that at any moment they could be taken and sold. Only the tough survived such mental abuse and worse.
“Trust me, James, I’m very particular on who I trust.” You’re not one of them.
I ended the call and continued heading home. But as usual, James gave me something to think about. Was it possible that Ocalla had gotten to someone I trusted? Maybe it was time to have a meeting with them all. Another assignment for Mikal. If anyone knew what was going on, it was Mikal. I’ll know more about my employees than I want to.
If there was anyone who didn’t add up, they’d be fired. It was that simple.
I don’t believe in second chances. All it does is give a person time to learn from their mistakes so they can fuck you over better the second time.