"Hey, man, it's me again."

My phone rings through the Bluetooth activated sound system in my car. I've basically been driving around the city in a fog for an hour trying to calm myself down. Worried like an imbecile about things like who's going to schedule the waitress shifts at the tapas lounge or who's going to make sure that Marco remembers to put in those extra orders of vodka at the club. Then realizing that it's not my problem anymore. Somebody else is going to have to step up while I sit on my ass for a while. Maybe then Camden and Roman will realize how they've made the mistake of taking my kindness for weakness.

"What's up, Johnson."

"I think I've got something."

"What."

"A flag went up at your lady's job."

I pull the car over.

"Explain."

"A kid fitting your guy's description just applied for a mailroom position in her building."

"Did you get a name?"

"No, my contact saw the guy go in for an interview. No names yet."

"What businesses are in the building?"

"Only the drug company. They own the whole thing."

Fuck me.

"He's doing a piss poor job of it, but he's fucking stalking her."

"We won't know for sure that it's him, boss, until we get the name. Probably half of the mailroom there fits his description. Give me another day or so. My guy's uncle works in the IT department there. He has to try and pull the human resource records without leaving a footprint. In the meantime, you keep trying to get some info on him too."

"Who's hiring who, Johnson?"

"Sorry, boss. I'm not telling you what to do. Obviously, you're still working your magic on your end. Just want to make sure we get this scumbag for you."

I'm just giving Johnson shit because I'm mad at myself. What kind of fixer can't find a twenty-one-year-old kid.

"Gotta take another call. We'll catch up later."

It's Roman.

"What's up," I answer flatly. Already assuming that I know what this call is about. Roman doesn't do chitchat.

"I talked to Camden."

Of course he did. That little snitch.

"I hear that you're taking some time off."

"That's right."

"I know what happened at the hotel, and I feel fucked-up about it, Cut. Normally I would have been there, but Elizabeth was having something called Braxton-Hicks contractions that night."

"Uh-huh."

"We thought she was having the baby early. She was scared out of her mind. I was shitting bricks. Wasn't going to leave her by herself, brother."

"I'm not trying to be an asshole, Rome, but that wasn't the only night you and Cam both left me hanging. I understand that there's going to be a lot of things that come up now that you're getting married and are about to have a baby, but me carrying all of the weight isn't the solution. We need another plan if this is going to be a true partnership moving forward. Otherwise it feels more like my business instead of our business.

"You serious?"

"Fuck yeah I'm serious."

I hear muffled voices in the background. He's apparently distracted by something or someone around him. Probably Elizabeth as usual.

"Listen, brother, we can talk about the inequality of how we're dividing up work later. Just trust that we'll fix this. Right now I'm calling about something else, and then I've gotta go."

The blow off as expected.

"What."

"It's the glamazon."

"What about her?"

"I heard about the black eye."

My chest tightens. I can tell by the tone of his voice that he's going to say some shit I don't want to hear.

"And?"

"And I called you because it's no secret that you've been scaring away dudes at the club who even think about looking at her two seconds too long. Not totally sure I understand why, but understand this, Cut–she doesn't belong to you. You haven't made a claim. I'm not even sure that's what you're planning to do. So I wanted to make sure you understood that she's my woman's best friend, and I'll take care of it. It's nothing. The scrawny kid that bags my groceries at the mini mart could deal with this asshole. So don't worry. He won't hit her again."

"Do you know who he is?"

"Not yet."

"Do you know where he is?"

"Not yet but like I told you, I'll handle it."

"Do you seriously think you can just call me up and order me to stay out of this? You're not her father or her brother. In fact, from everything I've observed, she doesn't even like your ass."

"Well from what I hear, she doesn't like you very much either."

"Listen, asshole–"

"I didn't call to argue, Cut. Just stay out of my way."

"You arrogant mother–!"

"Bye, Cut."

Click

I rake my hand across my head several times in frustration. This day is going to complete shit. Until the best idea I've had in a long time pops into my head. I'm going to beat Roman at his own swinging his big dick around game.

"How did you know about the opening in our downtown property, Mr. King? We haven't even posted it publicly yet."

"Oh you know how it is, Ms. Toddson," I say flashing a smile. "News of prime rental vacancies spreads fast in this town."

"I guess it does." She grins. "And please call me Maria."

"Maria then."

Maria Toddson is a middle-aged realtor with an oversized wedding ring on her finger, and deep crow's feet, who was probably hot as hell in her heyday. She's not the best realtor in the city by a long shot, but she's the one I need for this specific listing.

"I have no problem showing you the apartment, Mr. King, but based on your credit profile you may be more interested in a vacancy in one of our luxury buildings. I've got a beautiful penthouse coming up in a month on Spruce. It's totally your style."

"No thanks, Maria. I want that specific apartment, on that floor, in that building, and as soon as possible. Can you make that happen?"

"If that's what you want, then that's what we'll do. I'll grab the paperwork right now, but just so we're clear, the minimum commitment is a twelve-month lease in that space."

Aww, that's cute. She's trying to play hardball.

"This is just a temporary arrangement, Maria. I don't want to be pinned down to a year commitment. Let's just do a month-to-month."

"Hmm–then if you don't mind, I really think I should show you another space. The owner wants at least a twelve-month commitment on the rental. I promised him that."

I already did my homework before approaching Maria about this rental. The building is under distress and is in the first leg of the foreclosure process. The owner has a bit of time to turn things around before the bank takes back the property, but he's not handling it well. I'm guessing he probably has nothing but month-to-month renters in the building who are paying rent rates from ten years ago.

"Does it really have to be this space?"

"Yes."

"I don't usually say this to clients, but I feel like you're totally down to earth."

"I like to think that I am."

"So then I'll be honest with you. I have to be careful with this particular rental. I took a chance the first time and rented the space to someone who couldn't afford it, and now my boss is giving me a hard time, because we had to spend money to evict her. So while it's obvious that you can afford it, I don't want you to take it if you know you're just going to leave mid-lease. I'd have to find another renter six months from now, and I just can't risk having any more drama."

I didn't become this wealthy at this age by making stupid decisions. Normally I would wait and try to buy a piece of real estate like this once the property reached the point of a short sale. That's when you can grab a property at a dirt cheap price and immediately make a profit. Yep, I’m about to make a stupid decision, but I can afford it and most of all–I'm highly motivated.

"Do you think the owner would consider selling?"

"You want to buy the unit instead of rent it?"

"No, Maria. I want to buy the whole building not just the apartment. A cash offer. Would that settle things?"

Her eyes widen.

"Really? I mean if I was going to be totally forthright, Mr. King, I'd tell you that my boss would probably jump at the right offer."

"Get me in the room with the owner today, and I'll make sure that part of the agreement includes that you get a five percent commission."

She tries to contain how excited she is.

"You're positive? The entire building?"

"Positive."

"Awesome! I'll get him on the phone right now." We shake hands to make it official. "Welcome to the neighborhood, Mr. King."

For the last five years, I've lived in the carriage house that my brother and I bought together. It was our first substantial real estate purchase since leaving our mother's tiny row house in the old neighborhood. We made sure to buy a place that was spacious, with high ceilings, to accommodate our large statures. A home that's modern, professionally decorated, and is regularly cleaned by a diligent crew of women who know exactly how we like things. So, even though I'm not moved in yet, I can already see that this new place is going to be a little different than what I'm used to.

It was important that I get this particular apartment. A modest corner unit with exposed brick in the living room, two decent sized bedrooms and a great view. I decided the easiest way would to get it would be to cut out the middle man. To accomplish that, I am now the brand-new owner of a seven floor, twenty-eight-unit, Center City, rental property.

And best of all . . .

I don't have to listen to Camden and Jade having sex half of the night.

I can stock the fridge with whatever carnivorous snacks I want.

And I'm going to be within walking distance of my latest fix . . . or rather my fixation.

Her.