I Heard A Rumor Read Free Page B

boroughs of New York. The company grew to rival Donald Trump’s empire, without the bankruptcies. Maybe he could have that success down south. It was nice not to be known and to be able to move around without being linked to Natalie’s crimes.
    Natalie, he thought. How did I miss what was really going on with us? When Zach and Natalie met, he’d been in a Manhattan nightclub nursing an overpriced drink with his homeboy, Adrian Bryant. Adrian had been in New York quasi-stalking photographer Dana Singleton. The Los Angeles club owner had broken up with his ladylove after his mother’s deathbed confession about who his real father was—hotel magnate Elliot Crawford. Dana had abandoned the Corvette he’d given her at LAX, and he just wanted to make sure she was all right. What he’d been doing for the last three hours had been ranting in Zach’s ear about how much he wanted revenge on his family.
    Zach had started to tune his friend out, and that had been when he caught her eye. A chocolate-brown beauty with shoulder-length auburn hair and a full bosom that made his mouth water. She’d lifted her glass to him, and Zach turned to Adrian, “Bruh,” he’d said, “hold that thought.” Zach had risen from his seat and walked over to the beauty on the other side of the bar.
    â€œHello, beautiful,” he’d whispered in her ear.
    â€œI was wondering if you’d noticed me.”
    â€œHow could I not? You’re a hard woman to miss.”
    â€œI’m Natalie Norman.”
    â€œI think Natalie Harrington sounds a lot better.”
    â€œExcuse me?”
    â€œI’m Zachary Harrington, and you’re going to be my wife,” he’d said with a wink.
    â€œWhat if I’m one of those women who don’t believe in marriage?”
    â€œThen it’s up to me to change your mind. Do you know that you’re the most beautiful woman in the room?”
    She’d smiled, and he’d felt his groin jump with anticipation. “I’ve heard that line before. How are you going to prove you’re different?”
    â€œWhy don’t we get out of here and talk about it?” Zach had waved for the bartender and paid Natalie’s tab.
    â€œSounds good to me.”
    Glancing over at Adrian, who was on his cell phone, Zach had given him the peace sign with his two fingers and left with Natalie. That night, they had gone to a diner, drunk coffee, and laughed about life and the other diners who’d come in.
    It had been about six a.m. when they’d left, hand in hand. Zach wanted to take her to his penthouse in Harlem, but he’d played it cool. But damn, he’d wanted her. She’d been funny, smart, and beautiful. Who wouldn’t have wanted to spend the night with her? Now he wished he’d stayed in the club and listened to Adrian bitch and moan about Dana and his new family.
    Sighing, Zach headed back into his room. He glanced at the television just in time to see Natalie’s image on CNN. Rolling his eyes and hating himself for being curious about the latest in her melodrama, Zach turned up the volume.
    â€œAlleged Harlem Madame Natalie Harrington was in court today looking for a deal in her money-laundering and tax-evasion case, which stems from her alleged call-girl ring. But superior court judge Logan Beck was led away in handcuffs after the FBI burst into the courtroom,” the anchor said. “Sources close to the investigation said Harrington and Beck both had a connection with the prostitution ring.”
    Zach shut the television off. He needed one more drink. Instead of raiding the minibar, he decided to try to salvage the sunset and headed to the hotel’s restaurant.
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    Chante pulled into her grandmother’s driveway and immediately decided that God was playing a huge practical joke on her. She knew Elsie Mae was getting the house renovated, but did she really have to have it gutted?