Heartless People

NINE

"Its your story, Camz. You planned it, and I trust that it will work. Because nine times out of ten, it did. We also have business to discuss," I said as I lay back, and reached for the file at my bedside table.

"Go on."

"Before I do, I need you to be a hundred percent honest with me, Camila," I replied sitting up. Her jaw tightened and she stared at me like she knew what I was going to ask. The demand for cocaine is rising again, and so far I hesitated, unsure of how to approach this topic. I hated how tentative things were between us lately.

"Just say it, Lauren."

"What happened to you will it affect this, our work? If so, I can take over."

"I'm glad you asked, so I can say this once and for all, she frowned, I'm not an addict. I'm not impaired. I went through a rough withdrawal. It hurt, and I
have no interest in going through it again."

"Most people don't have that choice," I whispered.

"Well, I'm not like most people," she snapped at me. "If they cared about anyone or anything, I mean if they truly cared as much as I do, they would stop."

"Its not yours, mine, or anyone elses fault that they dont. I don't feel any sympathy towards them. We supply, and whatever happens after it leaves our
facility is not on our hands. Have I answered your question?"

Ethan burped loudly and I was never more thankful for it because it was like ice water being poured over me calming my desire to jump her. There was
something about her that just turned me on.

"Fine," I replied, trying to keep my cool as I handed her the file I'd just been looking over. "Roy, I believe his name is, has been cutting the product to make a small profit. Nothing major, but it bothers me."

"Vero and I will speak to him."  Apparently we were not clear enough last time we saw him.

"No, we will."

Her eyes cut into me. "Why ask me to be honest if you don't believe me?"

"I believe you. I've just spent five months away from you, I don't want any unnecessary distance until—"

"Until you're sure I won't disappear again."

Why must she always cut me off? "Your disappearance was my fault, you staying away is all on you. I don't want distance until I'm comfortable that we both won't make the same mistake again."

"You blame my disappearance on yourself?" she asked me slowly.

I really didn't want to talk about this. "433K, our company in Colorado, is going to bring in at least four hundred million this year. We had lines going three hours long. I say we lobby for more states to legalize marijuana. But for now, I want to set up at least four 433K shops in every time zone selling medical marijuana so when it is legalized, we already have a foothold in the area." If we played our cards right, we could control both the legal and illegal markets. It would also help with publicity.

"We can't ," she said.

What the fuck? "Why the fucking hell not?"

Her hands snapped to Ethans ears as he yawned widely and his head bobbed back and forth as he started to drift. It was only 9:00 p.m., but I guessed
that that was well past his bedtime.

The public is going to be paying close attention to us for the next few weeks. Plus, the moment we start moving into that territory, many others will follow. So I say yes to your plan, but do it completely under the radar." She lifted Ethan up and he hugged him onto her and he laid his head on her shoulder
as his eyes began to close.