Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 67355 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 337(@200wpm)___ 269(@250wpm)___ 225(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 67355 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 337(@200wpm)___ 269(@250wpm)___ 225(@300wpm)
I tighten my grip on his tie to cut off his circulation completely as I lower my head until our noses practically touch. “Lie to me again and I’m going to knock your teeth down your throat.”
The disgust I feel toward Langston Knight grows by the second. No longer able to be near him I release his tie shove him away from me.
He stumbles backward but manages not to fall as he gasps for air.
“Did you think my investigation wouldn’t be thorough enough to find out the reason behind your sticky fingers? How you’ve racked up thousands of dollars in gambling debt? Hundreds of thousands by my calculation.”
I cock my head to the side, watching him squirm like the weasel he is.
“For some reason, you’ve managed to win enough in the casinos to save your kneecaps from the shady loan sharks who have kept you afloat. It’s too bad you didn’t see fit to pay back your father who by the way is on the verge of losing his house. And coincidently, he seems to be a very sick man, whether you were making that part up or not.”
Langston shakes his head from side to side. “That’s not possible. My father was fine the last time we spoke.”
“When was the last time you actually visited your father?”
“I…well…I mean it’s been some time but, I talk to him often enough.”
“Does often enough mean, you only call him when you need something.”
When he opens his mouth to refute my claim I hold up my hand. “Save it. I’m not interested in anymore of your lies. And frankly, I’m tired of seeing your face. As I stated earlier, you’re suspended until a proper audit is completed. Until then, I suggest you hire yourself a good attorney.”
“Please! I’m sorry. You can fire me, but don’t get the police involved. I don’t want to go to jail.” He drops to his knees and interlocks his hands like he’s begging for his very life in front of an executioner.
Piece of shit, though he is, it was sickening to see a grown man pleading for clemency over a situation of his own making.
“Perhaps you should have thought about that before you stole from the company. Now get the fuck out of my office.”
Despite the darkness of his deep brown skin, he goes pale. The acrid scent of urine infiltrates my nostrils and a dark wet spot spreads on his blue business pants.
I snort in disgust and turn my back on him.
I listen as he scrambles to his feet with a desperate cry. He at least has the good sense to stop begging.
Langston slams the door behind him. I’m almost positive I won’t see him again for quite a while until I want to find him. Because like most rats, he’s going to flee. But it’s what I expected.
And it gives me the leverage I need.
All of my pawns were perfectly aligned to take down the queen.
I pull out my cell and dial my assistant.
“Yes, Mr. Champion.”
“I need you to book a first-class ticket on the first flight going out of town tonight. I’m going home.”
9
ZORA
My hands won’t stop shaking and my eyes burn from the unending tears and lack of sleep. I paced the waiting room, wondering when the doctor would give me word on my father’s condition.
When he finally entered the room to let me know my father was still alive, I nearly collapsed from relief. But that relief was short lived when I realized how dire my father’s health situation had been.
Unfortunately, the cancer was only one of his many issues.
The reason for his collapse was a Transient Ischemic Attack, more commonly known as a mini stroke. His blood pressure had been so high it was surprising he didn’t have an actual stroke. The doctors were able to get his blood pressure under control and they wanted to monitor him overnight.
The doctor also noted my father’s cancer diagnosis. My heart had plummeted to my feet upon hearing the big C word. I’d already lost my mom to that despicable disease; I don’t know how I’d handle losing my dad.
There had been so many doctor’s bills, I couldn’t determine the type of treatment he’d been receiving until now. Part of me was angry at him for being stoic to the point where he’d keep something like this to himself. But the other half of me was sad for the same reason. The stress he must have been under with his illness and the financial burden it and my brother had caused.
Irefused to leave his side as soon as they allowed me in the room. Seeing my once strong father, connected to the oxygen and IV broke my heart. He appeared so much smaller than I remember him being. As a kid my dad was larger than life to me. And I was suddenly faced with his mortality.