Chapter 3

✧ADAM MEADOWS✧

"So? Is she your type?" Henry asked as I stared at his mobile screen.

It was a picture of a woman. The third one, actually. I didn't like the first two. I didn't even look at them for more than two seconds. But this third picture held my gaze for a bit longer, not because I liked her, but because I recognized her. She was the sister of Jazzlene's former friend. Jenna's sister. The ones who had betrayed Jazzlene when she was just fifteen.

The reason they were showing me pictures of women was that they wanted me to have a girlfriend. I don't do girlfriends. But that doesn't mean my sex life is dry. I still hook up when I need to release some steam. But I'm selective, and if a woman doesn't pass my taste, I won't touch her.

Like these pictures Henry was showing me. None of them passed my standards. Especially this sister of Jazzlene's ex-friend. Despite her revealing dress, she looked like the type who expected sweet nothings and lovemaking in bed.

I didn't do sweet nothings and lovemaking. I fucked a certain way, and only a specific type of woman was into that. Not hardcore or BDSM. But definitely not soft. I didn't do soft things in bed. Just pure fuck.

I also don't kiss the women I sleep with. I don't like seeing their faces while I'm screwing them, so my go-to position is always doggy style. I always fucked them from behind, because they were my fucking dogs.

"No," I replied curtly, handing the phone back to him. "Show it to Gerald. He won't say no." I motioned toward Gerald, who was sitting next to Zane on the sofa. We were all gathered here today because we'd be parting ways again soon. They would be flying out next week. Zane would be gone for six months, while the other three would be gone for four months. I was the only one staying behind because I wasn't a pilot like them. Besides, Meadows Group is here, so I need to be here. Not anywhere else.

"Can I see?" Gerald laughed as he took the phone from Henry. Gerald, like us, was also single, except for Henry, who was already married.

But among all of us, Zane had the strongest charisma, especially since he was known as the sweet guy. He attracted a lot of women. He had women all over the place, but he didn't have an official girlfriend. His reasoning was that he didn't want commitment yet because he was still enjoying making women chase him.

Zane is a nice guy. While I put people on edge, he put them at ease, and his approach toward the fairer sex was the opposite of mine. The more, the merrier, according to him. If you were to compute the number of women he's slept with, probably half of the city. And he's proud of it.

"Woah. Guys, look at this. She's got some great assets. Yumyum!" Gerald grinned while zooming in on the screen. "And her ass . . . so round! Feels like spanking it."

"Wait a minute. Isn't she the sister of Jazzlene's friend?" Zane peeked at the screen and noticed the picture. I thought I was the only one who recognized her. "Don't touch her. I might bash their heads together," he added, annoyed.

I can feel his concern toward his sister. He teases Jazz, but he's very protective of her. In fact, when he found out that Jazz's ex-boyfriend, Vince, cheated on her with his best friend Jenna six years ago, he was the one who made sure they broke up. I mean, I helped him.

He asked me back then what he should do since we couldn't beat up Vince, especially since he was still a minor. He was just sixteen at that time. So I suggested baiting Vince to make him and Jenna fight. We hired and paid a teenage girl to flirt with Vince, which worked because within a week after Jazz cried about being cheated on, Vince and Jenna broke up.

"What are you guys looking at?" Jazzlene approached us, and everyone but me turned to look at her. I kept my eyes on the center table as we sat in their spacious living room.

I waited for her to come closer. She was carrying a tray with snacks. Freshly baked blueberry cookies and lemon juice. I knew she baked those cookies herself because I saw her in their kitchen earlier when I got some water. She loves baking. I mean, not just baking. She loves cooking and everything related to food. Maybe that's why she's taking Hotel and Restaurant Management.

As she served us the snacks, I took my time to study her. She had showered. She was wearing pink floral pajamas and a loose white T-shirt. Her hair was still wet and combed back. No make-up on, but still, beau—hell no. She looked like a housemaid when she was at home. Completely different from how she looked when she was out with her friends.

"You're watching p**n, aren't you?" She glared at Gerald and Zane, who were focused on the screen earlier.

I kept looking at her. My jacket, which I lent her earlier before she got out of the car, was draped over her shoulder.

"It's not p**n. No." Gerald quickly shook his head. "We were just looking at something. New business." He laughed a bit, but it was clear Jazz wasn't buying it.

"Business?" She laughed at the two before focusing her gaze on her brother Zane. "If Zane is involved, I don't believe it's business. It must be women. I'll only believe it's business if Adam says so. He's the real business-minded one. You guys, your heads are just filled with boobs and butts!"

Zane and his baby sister were so close, even if they bickered so much I wanted to duct tape their mouths sometimes. That was the nature of siblings—something I'd never quite gotten to experience.

"Watch your mouth, Jazz! Get out of here!" Zane was annoyed and tried to shoo her away, but she didn't move. She took my jacket off her shoulder and handed it to me. I knew she was about to turn to me, so I quickly looked away.

"Here's your jacket." I took it and glanced at her briefly. "Thanks for picking me up," she said softly. I just nodded curtly in response.

She was about to leave us when Zane called out to her. "Jazz, wait."

She stopped a few steps away and looked back at Zane. "What?"

"What stupid thing did you do again that you needed a ride? Weren't you with your friends? Don't tell me they ganged up on you again? Did your boyfriend cheat on you again and dump you? With whom? Camille? Violet? Leigh?"

She didn't answer. She looked down. It made my eyebrows furrow because I sensed something. Did she lie? She told me earlier when I asked her that she wasn't feeling well. Was that not the real reason?

"Hey, answer me!" Zane raised his voice.

Slowly, her face lifted to her brother, and I fisted my palm when I saw her eyes gathering tears. "N-Not with them. He dumped me for a guy. For another guy."

Silence.

I don't know how long. The silence was only broken when we heard Jazzlene's sniffles as she cried.

"A guy?" Zane asked in disbelief. "Your boyfriend dumped you for another guy?"

She nodded slightly and then broke down. And for some reason, I wanted to find that guy and burn him until he became a heap of ashes at my feet.

Zane stood up from his seat and went to his sister. He hugged her, rubbing her back, and said, "What did I tell you before? Didn't I warn you about that guy? I had a feeling he wasn't straight. But you didn't listen to me. You let your weakness take over." He shook his head, and even Gerald and Henry did the same.

She let go of her brother and spoke softly while sobbing. "Don't tell mom."

"No. Mom needs to know. Mom! Mom!"

"Stop it, Zane!"

"Moooom!"

"Stop it—" Before she could reach and cover her brother's mouth, their mom heard them.

"Yes?" She approached us. Mrs. Franxine Hart, always serious, but kind. She treated me and our friends like her own children, and I knew it came from her heart. "What's going on?"

"It's Jazz, Mom. She's heartbroken," Zane said. "Her boyfriend dumped her."

"Again?" Mrs. Hart asked in disbelief before turning to her daughter with pity. "What happened?"

But Zane answered for her. "Not with her best friend this time. With a guy, Mom. That Dom is bisexual! I've been suspicious for a while and warned Jazz before, but she didn't listen."

"Oh, darling. Are you okay?" Mrs. Hart opened her arms, and Jazz immediately hugged her.

"I'm not, mom. It still hurts . . ." She started crying like a child.

"Let's go upstairs and talk about it." Mrs. Hart turned to us as Jazz let go of her. "Boys, I'll take Jazz upstairs. Enjoy yourselves, and don't leave. Stay for dinner. Oh, except for Henry because his wife is waiting for him." Mrs. Hart laughed a bit.

"It's okay, Auntie. I'll just—"

"Shut up, man. Go home to your wife if you don't want to get beaten," Gerald said, cutting him, and laughed.

The five of us were left alone again. Zane was still muttering curses under his breath. "Damn that Dominic Francisco. If I see him, I'll break his face. My sister is already foolish, and that bastard hurt her! He'll get what's coming to him." He grabbed a glass, poured some lemon juice, and took a swig.

As the others discussed how to get back at Jazz's ex, I pulled my phone out of my pocket and typed a message to my male secretary.

Me: "I need every bit of information about Dominic Francisco. In fifteen minutes."

I put my phone away and leaned back, half-listening to the plans being tossed around. Gerald suggested some light pranks, while Henry thought about spreading rumors. Zane, on the other hand, wanted to confront Dominic directly. I kept quiet, letting them vent, while I planned my own approach.

Within a few minutes, my phone buzzed. I discreetly checked the screen. My secretary was efficient, as always. A detailed file on Dominic Francisco had been sent to me. I scanned through the information quickly, noting his address, workplace, and social circles.

Perfect.