“That’s not… I can’t… There are legal strategies that can be applied to save you money. I know millionaires who don’t pay a dime to the IRS. Is it fair? No. But it’s legal. I can do that for you, but what I’m not going to do is fix your books and participate in anything illegal.”
“This is what we’re going to do,” Iman said, completely ignoring me. “I’m going to put you on my payroll. I’ll give you whatever you want for your salary. What I need you to do is fix my books and make sure everything looks legit. I’m about to start a new scheme using CPNs, fake socials, and a payroll system that’ll look like I’m paying my employees, but it’s really going to myself. If you can head that up and make sure it runssmoothly, I’ll give you the taxes that are supposedly being pulled every pay cycle.”
It seemed like my words were going in one ear and out of the other. Releasing a long sigh, I shook my head as I stood.
“I’m going to leave now. This is pointless.”
As I walked away, I heard Iman say, “Handle that,” and that made me scoff. I don’t know what Jay had told him about our relationship, but he certainly didn’t have the power to make me do anything I didn’t want to do.
“You’re embarrassing me,” Jay scolded, grabbing my arm and using it to pull me into his chest. “I told him that you were loyal. That he could trust you. You’re making me look bad as fuck, Heir.”
“You’re making yourself look bad. You lied to me about who you are and what you do, you pulled me into some illegal shit that could not only cost me my job but land me in prison if it looks like I’m involved, and you think I give afuckabout embarrassing you? You’re trying to use me!”
“I’m trying to put you on!” he seethed quietly. “I am a real estate agent, but you’re right. That’s not how I make my money. I’m close to making seven figures by the end of the year working for Iman, and I’m trying to put you on too.”
“Are you a drug dealer?” Jay huffed and stared at me, not bothering to respond. “Jay!”
“Look…” He gripped my shoulders and peered down at me, trying to reel in his frustration. “You don’t need to know all that. All you need to know is we making money over here, and I’m trying to put you on. Not only will this increase your income, but it’ll make me look good, and I’ll be able to move up in rank. Please, Heir. I need you to take one for the team and do this for me. Don’t think about it as a favor to Iman. Do it as a favor to me.”
A soft laugh escaped me as I pushed his hands off my shoulders. “You’re my man. You’re supposed to keep me safe. How could you put me in this position, Jay?”
“Baby, please. It’s not that deep. I know you can do this. I trust you to make sure we’re all good. No one ever has to find out. If you do this correctly, we’ll be rich, and you never have to worry about the IRS or jail time.”
“I need an answer,” Iman damn near yelled, standing and resting his fist on his desk. “Is she in or not?”
“In,” Jay said, while I said…
“Not.”
Jay towered over me, blocking my view of Iman. “Don’t put me in this position, baby.”
“Clearly… your girl doesn’t understand what’s at stake here. She doesn’t know who I am,” Iman said, causing Jay to turn and wrap his arm around me from behind, pulling me close to his back. “I get that you’ve hidden your lifestyle from her, so she’s unaware of just how serious shit can get around here.”
“She’s good, boss,” Jay said. “I can handle it.”
“Are you sure? Because from the sound of it, you can’t.” Iman stepped between us, and watching Jay cower only pissed me off more. “I don’t have the patience to suggest you have a choice,” he said to me. “You’re going to help me hide my money, whether you want to or not. If you don’t, I’m going to kill you.”
My heart rate increased, and I felt like I could barely breathe. With heavy legs, I took small steps back, until it felt like I ran into a brick wall. Looking back, I gasped at the sight of the large man standing behind me. He was almost twice my height and as wide as a refrigerator.
“Now. Have you told anyone else about my account?”
Licking my lips, I swallowed hard and shook my head. The last thing I’d do was bring my father into this. “No. I…” With agulp, I looked back at Iman. “I made copies and scheduled an email to send to my boss in the morning.”
“Cancel it,” Iman demanded.
“I ca-can’t. I have to do it from my computer at the office.”
“Fine. We’ll go there then.”
Before I could fully process what was happening, the refrigerator grabbed my arm and effortlessly pulled me toward the door.
“Let’s go, Jay. If she tries anything, you put a bullet between her fucking eyes.”
I waited for Jay to say he would never hurt me. I waited for him to save me and convince Iman this was wrong. Instead, Jay pulled his gun from his waist, cocked it, and followed behind us.
“Wow. Are you fucking serious right now?” I asked, trying not to sob. Just when I thought this day couldn’t get any worse…
“I’m sorry, baby,” he muttered, following behind Iman.