Page 142 of The Protection Agreement

“Time to come out as A J Lloyd and take my seat on the board.” My voice is toneless.

“You don’t want to?”

“I do, dad already told me that I can’t live in the shadow forever, that I must embrace who I really am at some point. Now that I’m safe, I guess it’s time,” I say with a shrug.

“I’ll be with you every step, you know that, right?”

He looks at me and I know without a doubt that he’ll be with me every single step.

“I know.” I sigh “Next chapter awaits us,” I smile.

“I’m ready when you are.” His tone teases and I know he’s no longer talking about A J Lloyd board but us. I turn the stove off, put the hot oil back, wash my hands and move towards him.

He wraps his arms around me fast, taking over my mouth. “I love you, Alexis Jolaade Powell,” he says through kisses.

“I love you too.”

Chapter eighty-one

Bruce

The next few days, Jola had to quit her job at Halligan, which my dear friend Declan wasn’t too happy about, but he knew, the day was coming. He asked if Jola would help interview and train her replacement. I have informed him that we’ll play it by ear.

Following week after the kidnap and Claire arriving in her new prison home. I watched my wife dressed in a boss lady white skirt suit that Emily picked for her with nude shoes. Her hair pulled into a sleek silk ponytail with curls in the back. Light makeup and fucking gorgeous.

“I present, my sister, A. J Lloyd, the newest member of the board,” Jonah says as she rises from the sit next to me. The other members rise and shake hands with her. Each with comments welcoming her. I hear one say:

“You are truly Eni and Andrew’s daughter.” Guess she wasn’t a secret to everyone after all. She then takes her seat next to Jonah and throws me a wink. I smile as I leave the room once the business discussion begins, watching with Ice from the glass.

“She’s got this,” I says next to him as I pull off my tie. I dislike all suits and tie shit. Thankfully, my wife likes my casual look. I conduct business before taking out our phone line and texting my brothers.

Me: My wife is officially announced as A J Lloyd. And has taken her seat on the board.

Daniel is first to respond:

Daniel: Congrats, I still can’t believe she’s A J Lloyd, she’s too cool for that.

Luke: How does it feel to be married to a powerful woman, congrats to her.

Declan: Congrats, Julian’s team is slowly falling apart. No one thought to learn what she did with data. Can I beg her to come back?

Me: Very funny Dec.

Daniel: Sorry, Dec and as my wife would say OYO (on your own)

Adam: Whoa, I can’t believe that I got to Salsa with A J Lloyd, when is the next party, Dec?

Me: You won’t be dancing with my wife again, stick with Anne.

Declan: I warned him last time, no more dancing with my wife.

Adam: Come on you guys, your wives love you and they also love dancing with me, since you guys can’t move to a beat.

Daniel: Adam, I think you are asking for broken ribs.

Luke: Just let me know when, I’ll bring popcorn to watch your ass get beat up, Adam

Adam: Seriously guys, we need another gathering and party for A J Lloyd