the entire story about what happened when she met with her boss, Terrell, after Camden quit.”
He swallowed. What the hell was his woman keeping from him?
“What do you mean, she didn’t tell me the entire story?” He threw up his hands. “She said it went fine. He apologized profusely and stated that Camden’s father, when he was alive, had done him a huge favor. He didn’t want to get into all the details, but apparently, he never would’ve made it through law school without that money, since he came from humble beginnings. This is why he convinced the firm to not take action against Camden, but was hoping the guy would simply resign after Yasmine brought those allegations to light.”
He searched his memory for the details of Yasmine’s explanation. “She said he made a convincing argument and believed him when he claimed he had no idea about some of the shit Camden had been wrapped up in until she showed proof. After he found all that out, he’d asked Camden to leave but the fucker refused, stating that they had a contract and if Terrell reneged, he would cause trouble. Terrell wanted to get Camden removed some way, but his hands were tied. That’s the story. Yasmine said they made an amends at the end, though she still doesn’t fully trust him. Is what she told me not true?”
“Well.” She grimaced. “It’s true, Nixon, everything she said, but what she didn’t let you know is that Terrell told her that Camden had initially said he was concerned for his own safety. That someone he refused to name had threatened his life and it just wasn’t worth him staying there. Then, I guess as he thought about it, he believed Terrell had something to do with it… that he and Yasmine were in cahoots. So they got into it. Badly. That’s the part she left out.” She shrugged. “And before you even ask, Nixon, Yasmine didn’t tell you because she realized that you were the person Camden was talking about. You were the reason things had changed. In her favor, of course. She didn’t want you to be involved anymore, but things got a little messy.”
“What do you mean got a little messy?”
“Terrell had to file a protection order. Camden had made some threats.”
“Damn it!” Nix inhaled hard. The cool breeze felt like ice in his very soul, but that was nothing compared to his rage.
“It’s handled, okay?” Goldie placed her hand on his shoulder.
“Why are you telling me this? Why are you telling me what Yasmine should have told me?! She should’ve never kept this from me.” He started to walk back into the bar.
“Nixon, wait! Don’t go charging in there without hearing me out.” He forced himself to stop. “You weren’t exactly honest, either. It’s understandable as to why you didn’t tell Yasmine about what you did, but let’s be real. You put the fear of God in the man. Bravo, but don’t act like you kept it 100. Anyway, you have no idea how she appreciated you for what you did. Nobody, except her father, has ever put their own career, hell, their life on the line like that for her! She wished you hadn’t, Nixon, but she was so, so, grateful you did! She came to me crying, and do you know why?”
“Why?”
“A tiny part of her was afraid of how much she loved you, Nixon.” Damn. He could relate. “She was afraid something bad would happen, like the other shoe dropping, something awful that would ruin everything. She couldn’t lose you, especially due to a damn fool like Camden! You know she’s a secure woman. She can hold her own, but she told me you have a past, as we all do,” The woman placed her hand against her heart, clearly overwrought. “And a little part of her was afraid that one day, you might grow bored of her.” He looked away. “Nix, don’t take it hard.”
“How could she think something like that?”
“Because she’s human. Because she met someone so incredible, so exciting and full of life, that she thanks God for you on a daily basis.” The woman smiled sadly. “Nixon, Yasmine and I have had some challenging relationships in the past, to put it mildly. She’s been hurt, more than once. She’s also had some good relationships, but those were few and far in between. When Yasmine is in love, she is all in. Yasmine loves really hard. She also tries to be everything