The Professional (The Negus Effect Series Book 5) Read online

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  THE PROFESSIONAL

  Copyright © 2020 D Camille

  www.dcamille.com

  Cover Image: Shutterstock

  E-Book ISBN: 978-1-947764-17-0

  Print ISBN: 978-1-947764-16-3

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be used or reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means without the express written permission of publisher, Sable SiStars Publishing, LLC, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, Characters, places, and incidents are products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead is entirely coincidental.

  DEDICATION

  To Detroit City…there’s no place like it…

  ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

  I would like to give thanks to the Universe for provision, creativity and power.

  To the Goddess Team for keeping me focused and on track.

  To all my readers who support me and my work, I appreciate you.

  Ase’

  Table of Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Epilogue

  Chapter 1

  Liv Jones sat at the small table in the backyard, still basking in the happiness of her sister’s engagement. No one in the world could be happier for the couple. Liv adored her older sister, Taylor, and was thrilled that she was finally beginning to live the wonderful life she deserved, with a man who clearly loved her.

  When her phone chimed in her bag, Liv reached inside and pulled it out. Looking at the screen, she frowned before answering.

  “Ty, what’s up?” Liv asked.

  “What’s up?” he asked sounding agitated. “Where are you?”

  She lifted a brow at his tone.

  “I’m out of town visiting my sister.”

  “Out of town where?”

  “I don’t report to you.” Liv told him.

  Ty sighed. “I’m not saying that you do...but damn, you can’t let nobody know?”

  “I’m a grown and single woman.”

  “I’m trying to show some concern, since I came by your place and you didn’t answer..”

  She looked around the crowded yard and lowered her voice.

  “Thank you for your concern, but why are you stopping by my apartment without calling?” Liv asked.

  “I wanted to surprise you.”

  “Don’t...I don’t like surprises.”

  He paused for a moment.

  “You make it so hard to get to know you...do you know that?”

  “You’re a nice guy, Ty…”

  Cutting her off, he asked, “But what?”

  “I’m not trying to be that involved with someone.” Liv said honestly. “You’re looking for more than I’m willing to give. I’ve enjoyed spending time with you, but that’s all I was looking for…”

  “Women always talking about they can’t find a good man…” Ty began and Liv frowned.

  “I acknowledged that you were a good guy.” Liv replied. “But that doesn’t mean I have to fall at your feet, Ty. It’s my choice who I want to be with…”

  Liv’s eyes locked with a man across the yard and she continued speaking to Ty.

  “We should probably give each other some space, before we can’t even be friends.” Liv told him.

  “I don’t want to be your friend, Liv.”

  She blinked.

  “Then, I guess there’s nothing left to say.” She said, still watching the man, who was watching her.

  “I’ll see you when you get back to Dallas.”

  Liv frowned. “I don’t think so.”

  “I’m going to show you how a real man get his woman.” The line went dead.

  Rearing back, Liv looked at her phone, then put it back to her ear.

  “Hello?” she said, then looked at the phone again.

  Seeing the call had ended, Liv shook her head.

  “This fool…” she whispered, while putting the device away.

  When Liv looked up, she was greeted by a handsome smile.

  “Hello, Liv from Dallas…”

  She gave him a smile of her own.

  “Hello, Miles from Detroit.”

  “Welcome back…” He said slowly.

  “Thank you.”

  Miles glanced at the empty chair, then looked at her.

  “Can I sit here?”

  “It’s available...so, yes.”

  Smiling, he sat and Liv looked him over in the dark suit and tie.

  “Did you dress for the occasion?” Liv inquired.

  Touching his tie, Miles replied, “I came straight from work.”

  She nodded. “You look nice.”

  “Thank you. You like your men suited?” Miles asked.

  “I like my men in many different ways…” she whispered and he looked interested.

  Looking at her empty glass, Miles questioned, “Can I get you another?”

  Liv smiled. “Thank you. I’d appreciate that.”

  “Don’t disappear on me again,” he told her.

  “When did I disappear on you?” Liv asked.

  Miles stared at her. “The last time I saw you, you twerked your ass on me, took my number and I never heard from you…”

  Laughing, Liv shook her head. “I think your memory is faulty.”

  He pulled out his phone and began going through his call log.

  “I don’t see any calls from you.”

  Now Liv stared at him.

  “If I recall correctly...we exchanged numbers,” Liv said, taking out her phone. She proceeded to mimic his actions. “I don’t see any calls from you, either.”

  Her eyes lifted to his and they held.

  “So the way I see it, the last time I saw you...you rubbed up against my ass, took my number and I never heard from YOU…” she finished.

  Miles grinned slowly.

  “So, let me get you another drink and let’s discuss that.” He told her.

  “I’ve got time for it.” Liv replied.

  With a sexy smile, he stood and walked away, leaving Liv to take a deep breath. Miles Johnson was something else. With slumberous and mischievous dark brown eyes, under heavy dark brows...handsome was an understatement. Beautiful caramel brown skin covered his face where it wasn’t hidden by a thick, curly black beard and mustache. Her hands wanted to touch the neatly cut and trimmed dark hair on his head, then slowly move down to his face.

  His eyes told her that he was down for just about anything and would take pleasure in it. No, she hadn’t called Miles when she’d returned to Dallas. He was clearly Detroit through and through, and Liv...while no wilting flower...didn’t know who could handle all of that.

  She watched him heading her way before he was stopped by a younger man. Her eyes continued to size him up. Around six-three, nicely built...not too big, but not a little dude by any means. Miles looked li
ke he could handle himself in any situation.

  With drinks in his hand, he glanced over to where she sat for a moment and nodded, indicating he’d be there in a minute.

  Liv smiled. “I can wait for you, Miles Johnson,” she whispered to herself.

  ******

  Turning his attention to the young guy who’d stopped him, Miles asked, “What up doe?”

  Gideon smiled. “Man, I just wanted to thank you again.”

  Miles shook his head and frowned. “Have you told anybody?”

  “Nah, man.” Gideon said quickly. “The Master told me to keep it on the low.”

  “Then do that, okay?”

  Nodding, Gideon agreed. “I mean you saved my life.”

  Miles glanced over to where Liv sat and nodded at her. She smiled and he looked back at the young Neo-Negus, after making sure no one could overhear their conversation.

  “The Master saved your life.” Miles told him. “I just did my job.”

  Gideon frowned. “Why aren’t you a Negus?”

  “I’m my own squad.” Miles told him.

  “Damn…”

  Miles stepped closer. “So make sure that I don’t hear shit in these streets about what went down, or…” He lifted a brow in warning.

  Gideon swallowed. “I got you.”

  “Good.” Miles said firmly. “Enjoy the party.”

  Gideon watched him walk away and blew out a breath.

  “This dude is something else…” he said to himself and watched Miles as he walked over a table.

  Sitting Liv’s drink in front of her, Miles took a seat.

  “Thank you.” She said softly.

  “You’re welcome.” He stared at her.

  Liv took a sip slowly. “So, what have you been up to since I last saw you?” she asked.

  With a discreet glance over to where Gideon had moved, Miles replied, “Working…”

  “Okay. What do you do, Miles?”

  “I’m a professional…” He looked into her face as she gave him a look.

  “At what, Negro?”

  He laughed. “Everything I do…”

  “Try again.”

  “If you would’ve called me, I would’ve told you.” Miles drank from his glass, enjoying her banter.

  Liv sighed. “I guess I’ll never find out.”

  “What do you have against calling me?” he asked, lifting a dark brow.

  “I guess the same thing you have, in regards to calling me.”

  He frowned. “I wasn’t about to be chasing you.”

  “But I was supposed to chase you?” Liv questioned. “What are you smoking here in Detroit?”

  “Oh, we got the best, if you’re talking about smoking.”

  Liv grinned. “You sound like you’re speaking from experience.”

  “Lots…” He confirmed. “It’s medicinal...ask my sister-in-law. She’s a naturopathic doctor.”

  “Wow...that’s interesting. Is she a real sister?”

  “Oh, yeah. Khayla’s all sister. She also has a restaurant that serves healthy soul food.” Miles explained.

  Nodding, Liv sipped her drink with a frown.

  “That sounds different…” she said slowly.

  Miles laughed softly. “It’s the bomb. Trust me…”

  “Hmmm...I’ll have to think about that. I’m from the South. I know some good soul food.”

  “Let me prove it by taking you to dinner while you’re here.” He offered.

  She smirked. “I can go with Taylor.”

  “She’s already been there with Mathias.”

  “How do you know?”

  “That’s when everybody thought he was her side dude…” Miles shrugged.

  Liv sat back and studied him. “What’s the perks of going with you?”

  “We could have dinner, hit up a spot to chill, then do...whatever.” He said slowly.

  “Whatever?”

  He nodded and confirmed. “Whatever.”

  “I don’t know anything about you, except you know these people who my sister has connected with. I don’t know where you work or what you do...and you can’t even call me, but I’m supposed to be down for...whatever?”

  “Is that a problem?”

  She shook her head. “Not at all, because I’ll pass.”

  “You scared?”

  “I’m bored.” Liv replied. “With the same old bullshit…”

  Miles blinked.

  “It was nice to meet you, Miles.” Liv dismissed him.

  Now he frowned. “Are you dismissing me?”

  “Call it whatever you like, but I’m here to support my sister...nothing more.”

  “So you think because you’re bad...a dude is supposed to kiss your ass?” he challenged.

  Liv smiled. “Thanks for the compliment, but because I’m bad...I know that I don’t have to settle for...whatever.”

  “Hmm.. these dudes got you out here tripping, huh?”

  “What does that mean?”

  He lifted his glass to his mouth and took a long sip before answering.

  “It means you want a puppy that you can lead around by his nose. I’m a big dog, baby…”

  “I don’t want a puppy...but I sure as hell don’t want a vicious pitbull either.”

  They stared at one another as Mathias and Taylor arrived at the table.

  “Liv,” Taylor said with a smile. “I’m going to stay here with Mathias tonight, to celebrate our engagement, but we’ll take you back to my place.”

  Miles stood to his feet.

  “Congratulations to you both.” He told the couple. “And I’d be happy to take Liv to your place…”

  Taylor smiled then looked at her sister.

  “Is that okay with you?” she asked.

  Liv stared up at Miles, with wickedness in her dark eyes.

  “Sure. I’d appreciate that, Miles.”

  “It will be my pleasure, Liv.” He replied, watching her call his bluff. “It’ll give us time to talk some more…”

  Taylor looked between the pair, then at Mathias.

  “Thanks, Miles.” Mathias told him. “I’m sure there won’t be any problems.”

  Mathias stared at Miles waiting for a response.

  “Not one.” Miles confirmed.

  The two men shook hands, while Taylor whispered to Liv.

  “Is this really okay?” she questioned concerned.

  Liv fanned a hand. “It’s fine. Call me in the morning.”

  After the two women hugged, Mathias and Taylor moved to say goodnight to their other guests and Miles sat down again.

  “Let me know when you’re ready.” He told her.

  “I could’ve gotten a Lyft or something.” Liv said. “But thank you…”

  He chuckled. “Girl, this isn’t Dallas. You have to be careful who you ride around with…”

  “Am I safe with you?”

  “Tonight?”

  She shook her head.

  “Is that a no?” Liv asked.

  “Depends on your definition of safe.” Miles shrugged. “I mean, I’m not going to let anything happen to you....”

  “Then what’s the danger?”

  He held her gaze.

  “You might discover that I’m not boring at all…” Miles said softly.

  ******

  Miles led Liv out to his Jaguar F-Pace SUV. Looking at the silver car, she stopped.

  “This you?” she asked.

  He nodded and moved to open the passenger door. Liv climbed inside and smelled his cologne filling the interior while she waited for him to settle into the driver’s seat. Watching as Miles connected his phone to the system, Liv sat back against the leather seats.

  When the music started, she smiled at his musical selection while he started the car and pulled away from the curb. After watching the scenery for a moment, Liv turned and saw his head moving and his large hand patting the steering wheel as he mouthed words.

  “Are you trying to tell me something with this son
g?” she asked.

  He glanced at her.

  “You don’t like Trey? I thought all the women loved him.” Miles said innocently.

  “The Sheets?”

  Smiling, he said, “It’s got that nice vibe.”

  Liv turned away, and he asked, “You want to hear something else?”

  “It’s your car.”

  “I’m very accommodating.” Miles told her. “If you let me know what you want…”

  She looked back at him as he changed the song, then began to sing along softly at the chorus.

  Let me know, let me know, let me know, let me know-know-know…

  Liv listened to his voice as he drove, finding herself falling into his sensual trap.

  If you decide, just for a night, that you might want to roll, keep it low…just let me know

  “What do you do, Miles?” Liv asked, breaking his spell and looking around the luxury vehicle.

  “To you?”

  She frowned.

  “Turn the music off.” Liv told him.

  Pressing a button, the car became silent and Miles turned a corner.

  “Why are you so damn secretive?” she demanded. “Are you a Kingpin or something?”

  He laughed.

  “A Kingpin? My brother would beat the shit out of me.” He told her. “You think Mathias would trust me to take you home if I was a drug dealer?”

  “You said you smoke weed.” She folded her arms.

  “That doesn’t make me a damn Kingpin.” Miles frowned.

  She lifted a brow. “That’s a nice suit, this is a nice car…” she began.

  “So...I work.”

  “Doing what?”

  He frowned. “Why does it matter? I bore the hell out of you, remember?”

  Liv stared at him, trying to figure out his game.

  “So you don’t tell anyone what you do?”

  “I’m just not telling you.”

  Her stare turned to a glare.

  “Why not?”

  “Because you want to know so bad,” he replied. “You want to make assumptions and put me in the box that fits whatever your ideals are…I’m hella more complex than that.”

  Liv blinked.

  “Wow...that’s deep.”

  “That’s surface.” He replied flatly.

  Turning away, Liv hid a smile. Okay...Miles Johnson from Detroit, was more than fine.