“As old as you are?” She shot from the hip, knowing good and well it had to be the vintage red wine talking for her. “Do you even have a heart for someone to get into? Because honestly, you seem like the iceman, if you ask me.”
He chuckled. “Well, I see I must bring you for wine more often. You are such pleasant company, and the bad-ass seems to leave the building when the wine comes. You let down your guard and seem to be a little more . . .” He searched for the word. “Ahhhh, soft.”
“No, not at all. The wine doesn’t do anything. I’m well aware of everything going on around me. I’m trying to keep my word with you to be nice.” She smiled. “We did make a deal, right? And the bottom line, if I don’t have my word, I ain’t got shit. That’s it, that’s all.” She looked into his hazel eyes that blended perfectly with his tanned caramel complexion, giving it an almost reddish tone. “Now, sir, don’t try to put the spotlight back on me. There is still a question on the table for you to answer.”
“Hmm, I do have a heart.”
She drank her wine and used her eyes to say, “I’m not sure that’s true, but okay.”
He took a sip of his and then spoke to her. “Well, I was always taught to make money. For the longest time, that’s always been my focus. For decades now, I’ve always been married to my family business. Was groomed for it from my childhood, and when I got old enough, I eased into the CEO position, still under my father’s command at times. So that’s always been my priority.”
“Well, I can understand that. That’s my only focus now—money. I just want to get me some money, to create endless options for myself and those who have my back. And once I get my money, I will marry it! If I can’t spend it, I can’t use it.”
“What do you need so much money for, may I ask?”
She gazed at him as if he were crazy. “The same thing you need it for. Options! Just life, whatever my heart desires. And I have no problem working hard getting it. Now, if you don’t have a wife or kids, how are you going to pass the family business along?”
He nodded and gave her a conspiratorial grin, as if she had a great point. “It’s so funny you should ask. My father asked me the same thing, just the other day.” He chuckled as if he had something on his mind.
She didn’t really care about the answer to this man’s personal life. She was more into his business life, which she knew was going to be hard to pry into, because a man of his stature would never have loose lips or share his business details with her or anybody else. All she wanted was an opportunity, just like she was sure most of the other folks he came in contact with wanted.
“So, is there room for opportunities for me in your business?” she asked.
“Not really.” Although he sounded pleasant, there was a note of finality in his voice.
“So you’re not an equal opportunity company?”
He chuckled. “We are, but listen. This isn’t the time or place to have this conversation. Besides, on my level, I deal with people who have a lot of cash and resources. A pretty face and nice shape just don’t move me.”
“Then why bring me out to insult me?”
“I wouldn’t insult you. Just was trying to be nice. I heard you were out for a lovely night on the town, and instead of dining alone, I thought maybe I could use a little company for dinner. Show you a nice time. That’s all this is about.”
“Whatever,” she said as she drank the last little bit of wine, not knowing that so much more was about to be poured on her.
CHAPTER 24
After dinner, Fitz took her to a nice little salsa spot, and she had to admit, she had a wonderful time. They danced the night away, and the sun was coming up when he dropped her at the hotel. The sunrise cast an amber glow on the world, and that’s exactly how Bianca felt—glowing. She couldn’t understand how this man had gone from being her arch-nemesis to becoming somewhat of a friend when she was in need. Contented, she had slept pretty much the entire day away when she was awakened by a call from Black.
“Hey, you!” she answered.
“Hey, I was worried about you.”
Bianca filled him in on everything that had happened the night before. “You really do be my lifesaver. Man, if I hadn’t had that knife that you gave me, I don’t know what would’ve happened to me.”
“Why you go over there by yourself?”
“Well, I told you I was going to meet my homegirl, Diamond, from back home.”
“Man, I don’t trust her either. None of these hoes you be with. Come on, she mysteriously disappears and goes to the bathroom when shit ’bout to get real?” Black made a great point.
“She was drinking . . . and peeing. You know that goes hand in hand.”
“Listen, I told you from day one, you can’t trust none of these hoes. Didn’t I tell you? Now look, every time you with one of them, shit get crazy!”
Bianca sat on the side of the bed, listening to Black lecture her. She didn’t argue because he had a valid point.
Knock! Knock! Knock!
“Oh, shit, someone’s at the door.” She was sure it was the maid, since she’d moved to another room. She was relieved, because she had had enough of his protective speech anyway. “I’ll call you right back,” she said and then disconnected the call from Black.
Bianca dashed over to the door, still in her boy shorts and camisole tank top to match, her hair in
