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  “Caroline was getting in with Leathen too?”

  “Yeah, she was a busy girl.”

  “What about Bell and Caroline?”

  “We’ve acquired several of Bell, Towers and McIntyre’s clients. They voted Bell out due to the morality clause in his contract. He has an appointment with the bar’s ethics committee to discuss his license. Caroline may be facing some jail time since she is the one that hired the guy that slipped something into Leathen and Freda’s drinks.”

  “All over daddy issues?”

  “Yep. Fighting over a man than never wanted her.”

  “That’s sad. Anyway, are you ready to talk to Nette about designing this place and sign the lease?”

  “Let’s get it done partner.”

  Averie

  I’m on my way. Don’t go anywhere and don’t take any calls. I have something to discuss with you.

  I’m at home. - El

  Even better.

  I rushed off the elevator and found Samuel sitting in his office.

  “Hey, babe. I have something to share with you,” I said as I entered the office.

  “Hi, love. What’s going on?”

  “Two things. First, I know I told you about the important meeting I was having with the make-up mogul, Missy Machado?”

  “Yes, she wanted some advice on how to proceed with taking the company public?”

  “Yes but she actually wanted to discuss Patterson Law taking on her company as a client,” I smiled.

  “Whoa! Everyone was trying to get her business,” Samuel said.

  “I know, but I got it and a nice check to go along with it. With these billables, I will be out of your debt in no time.”

  “Congratulations, baby,” Samuel smiled.

  “Thank you,” I smiled. “The second thing is…you know what, take off your clothes before I tell you this story,” I said.

  “Take off my clothes?”

  “Yes, it’s going to save time.”

  He squinted his eyes at me then stood to remove his clothes. I bit my bottom lip while watching him disrobe.

  “Underwear too,” I nodded at the black boxer briefs that hugged his enormous thighs deliciously.

  I watched while he pulled them down. I loved the sight of his cut and rippled body. I licked my lips thinking about the things I wanted to do to him.

  “Vee! Stop staring at my dick and tell me what you are talking about.”

  “Humph?” I looked up to meet his eyes. “Okay, so…”

  “You’re not taking your clothes off?” he asked.

  “No, you will take them off after I tell you this, I’m sure.”

  He sat down in his chair waiting for me to continue.

  “Okay, so, I had a very interesting meeting today with some women who want to file a sexual harassment class action suit against a prominent businessman. It’s going to generate so much attention.”

  “Is he guilty?”

  “Yes. They have email correspondence, text messages and taped meetings to prove his guilt.”

  “Wow. Good for you, baby. This will solidify Patterson’s position as a powerhouse firm.”

  “Yes, it would if I could take the case but I can’t. It would be a conflict of interest, so I recommended them to Michelle over at Casey and Ludlow.”

  “Why did you do that? What is the conflict?”

  “My husband is partners with him.”

  “Partners…Xavier?”

  “Bad choice of words, no not Xavier, Theodore Wolfe. The principal owner of the Charlotte Stars is about to be taken down by four women and a badass attorney. I asked Michelle for the courtesy of waiting until next week to hold the press conference to give us a chance to get ahead of this with the Stars. I know that I messed up your bid to take over the team when you had to bail out Patterson…”

  “Vee that’s not how I feel…”

  “No, I did. You put yourself to the side to make sure I was okay. I love you forever for that, but now I think that you can present a buyout offer to Ted and he won’t have any choice but to accept it. So, I took the liberty of drafting two offers. One,” I took the folder from my bag and put it on the table, “is a low-ball offer just to show him that we are in control and if he waits too long and it hits the media before he gives you an answer, this is all he is going to get. This one,” I handed him the second folder, “is the one that he should take. It’s about thirty-five percent lower than what you were going to originally offer him which will work with your current financial standing since Patterson has turned a profit in the first quarter of your backing.”

  Samuel looked at both offers then looked at me. I knew that look which was why I told him to take his clothes off. I was about to be rewarded, and I was ready for all of it.

  “Come here, Patterson,” he beckoned me with his pointer finger. He stood from his seat and pulled me close to him. “Thank you for doing all of this for me.”

  “It’s my pleasure,” I said while he started kissing my neck.

  He backed me up until I felt his desk at the back of my thighs. He lifted my dress and put his thumbs in my underwear and pulled them down. Lifting me up and sitting me on his desk, he pushed me until my back rested on the top of the desk. He went straight for my sweet spot and licked one long, slow stroke. My hand went to the top of his head immediately. I spread wider giving him all the access he needed to give me my reward. He sucked, licked me into a powerful orgasm. He moved up my body until we were face to face.

  “What do think about owning a percentage of the team? All your own, separate from mine.”

  “Is that possible?”

  “Yes. I will let you buy one percent of my shares. You will be the first African-American woman to own an MLB team. I want you to share this with me.”

  “Yes,” I said right before he plunged into me.

  The End

  Epilogue

  Samuel

  **World Series**

  “The Charlotte Stars are one strike away from becoming the winners of the Major League Baseball World Series,” the commentator said.

  The entire stadium was on their feet holding a collective breath as the Stars’ closer pitched to the batter from the Saint Louis Cardinals. The Stars had made it again to the World Series, and this time it looked like they were going to win it all. They had a great season led by a young shortstop and Wesley as the President of Baseball Operations. He’d scoured the country and put together an unstoppable team.

  I passed King to Averie because I didn’t know what I was going to do once our pitcher threw the last out. I wanted him to be safe. He was still a baby, but I felt proud that my firstborn son was here with me to witness history being made.

  Averie never went into labor. Her labor had to be induced a week after her due date. The doctor said King was so comfortable he didn’t want to come out, but Averie was more than ready to have him. The strength she showed while giving birth to our son made me fall deeper in love with her. The whole family was at the hospital when King came into the world, all nine pounds of him. All of the women say he is the largest baby that’s ever been born in the family. He looked just like my father and me. He smiled a lot and ate even more. He was my pride and joy. I’d already asked Averie for another. She responded by rolling her eyes and twisting her mouth. She didn’t say no, though.

  Theo didn’t have much of a choice when I offered him the money for the team. He did a lot of huffing and puffing, but he accepted the offer, and the other owners followed suit making the Charlotte Stars the first MLB team with all African-American owners and the first black female owner. The pitcher finally released the ball. The batter swung and missed! THE CHARLOTTE STARS WON THE WORLD SERIES! Everyone in the stands celebrated. I hugged and kissed Averie, then King. Making my way down to the field, I high-fived all my partners and family members. I held Averie’s hand as we stepped on the field to congratulate the players.

  “We did it, baby!” she smiled. “We made history!”

  �
��I knew we would together!”

  Acknowledgments

  WHEW!!!

  Can I say that?

  I just did and I meant it!

  Writing this book took me on an entire journey. Some days I didn’t know if…

  That’s all I can say about that.

  So, thank you to all my readers who were patient with me. Thank you to those who broke their own rules and read part one and gave me feedback. I appreciate you all.

  Thank you to the ones who became my voice when I was absent.

  Thank you JD. I appreciate you.

  Thank you to my best friend who came to me, when I was at my lowest, and let me get a ton of stuff off my chest. You listened and understood. I didn’t have to give you the back story or explain my position. You got me. I miss you so much! I know Yahweh’s will is perfect but if I could get one wish, I would wish you were here in person on this journey with me. I miss you and love you forever, Deira Johnson 1975-2014.

  Yahweh, I offer my talent back to you. Thank you for being the all-knowing, all powerful, all sufficient one. I will never take your credit because you deserve it all. Thank you for not only calling me your daughter but also your friend.

  I hate the discomfort but I know that in order to grow I have to experience some discomfort. Thank you for stretching me.

  Also by Bailey West

  The Bluette Men Series

  Blue’s Beauty

  Ezekiel’s Passion

  Paxton’s Peace

  The Valentine Law Series

  Serving Time

  The Lessons in Love Series (A Collaborative Series)

  Inn Love