A Kut Above The Rest: Lovin' A Female Boss

By Annitia L. Jackson

Alexis Griggs has worked hard to get where she is in life. She owns several clinics that service people in need and is a pillar of her community; but looks can be deceiving. Alexis and her brother Jace are both leading double lives, which are both illegal and deadly. It leaves little time for Alexis to have a personal life; that is until she has a chance encounter with single father, Kevell Farrell.




Kevell Farrell used to be the man in the streets, until his brother was murdered. Now, he has his own contracting company which helps him take care of his son, baby mama, and ailing mother. With everything going on in his life, the last thing he needs is a relationship. But when he comes to Alexis’ rescue, the chemistry between the pair is undeniable.
Alexis and Kevell decide to see if the connection is real. But with enemies, secrets, and lies in the mix, will their relationship be over before it starts? Or will their union have deadly consequences?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Royalty Publishing House
• Release date: Aug 22, 2019
• ISBN: 9781648400025

Book preview

Twenty Years Ago

Alexis Griggs (Age Seven)

I ’m sorry, but we have done everything we could for Mrs. Griggs-Harris. If we could have found her a liver in time we might have been able to save her, but she has taken a turn for the worse and her organs are all shutting down. All we can do now is make sure she is comfortable. If you would like to say your final goodbyes, now is the time to do so, the doctor said solemnly, as he spoke with my stepfather, Tyler.

My ten-year-old brother, Jace, was standing beside me with his arms wrapped around my shoulders as we cried. We knew Mama was sick but had no clue she was at the brink of death.

No, I don’t think the kids need to see their mother with all those tubes and shit running in and out of her. They have been through enough and Sherry didn’t have any other family for me to call. The woman I love died a long time ago and all that’s left in there is a husk of her former self. Just call me when she passes so I can make the necessary arrangements for her funeral, Tyler stated, while pushing us toward the door.

The doctor grabbed his arm and argued, Sir, I really think you need to at least let her children say their goodbyes! They won’t ever get to see their mother alive again! Please Mr. Harris, if you don’t want to see her I understand, but please reconsider allowing your children the ability to say their piece so they can grieve properly!

Tyler ignored the man and pushed us out into the hallway. Jace stopped, turned to Tyler, and screamed, I want to see my mama!

I don’t give a fuck what you want! You are not going in there so stop your punk ass whining; and let that be the last time you raise your fucking voice at me! Now we are leaving and neither one of you bet not say shit, until we get home! Stop all that fucking crying and shit or I will make you and your sister suffer! Tyler yelled, as he drug us from the hospital.

The next time we saw our mother was in a casket dressed in her favorite black church dress. Jace and I were crying so hard our faces and eyes were as red as the roses we held in our hands. We had been inconsolable since Tyler stuck a sticky note on the fridge, saying our mama had died.

Jace and I had been holed up together in his room crying for days. Tyler didn’t console us or cry about our mother, his wife, being dead. Instead, he brought a slew of women in and out of their bedroom. The only good thing about it was he made them cook for us and clean the house before they left.

There weren’t a lot of people at the cemetery, and that surprised me. Everyone loved my mama because she was sweet and giving. She was a school teacher and very active in church. But the only people here at the cemetery were us, my stepfather, and mom’s best friend Belinda.

Once the pastor finished his speech, Jace and I tossed our roses on her casket as it was lowered into the ground. I felt a pain in my chest as they shoveled dirt onto her coffin.

Tyler walked over and started talking to the pastor, telling us to head to the car. A deep hatred grew in my heart for him over the past few days. I found myself wishing it was him in the coffin, instead of my mama.

As we walked away, we were grabbed from behind by Belinda. She looked over at Tyler who was now on the phone, before bending down to whisper to us and said, You two be careful around Tyler because I don’t trust him. I know you two are kids, but you are smart like your mama and real daddy. I know you will remember and understand what I am saying so listen carefully, we don’t have a lot of time. Something isn’t right about your mama’s death or your father’s disappearance. If either of you ever feel like you are in trouble, run! Jace, listen, don’t tell anybody what I said to you. When you turn eighteen, go to the place I used to take you and your sister when you two were younger. I hid something there for you under our special place. Look, I have to leave for good now and I wish I could take you with me but I can’t. It’s too dangerous. Remember to take care of each other, okay? I love you both more than you will ever know.

We both nodded our heads and I replied, Okay, love you too Aunt Belinda.

Belinda hugged us with tears in her eyes, got in her car and sped away. Her words would haunt us both for years to come.

As Tyler led us back to the car, we had no clue that in a week’s time, he would be dead and we would be placed in foster care, changing the course of our lives and those of the ones who would die at our hands.

The applause was deafening as I walked off the stage after receiving my award for my work with the community. My brother and I worked hard on giving back to the community who had helped raise us.

After my mama and stepfather died, Jace and I were thrown to the wolves so to speak. We were split up for the first six months, which was pure hell in more ways than one. Jace and I were reunited when we were placed in the same house and found not only a home, but family as well.

Mama Joy was our savior and surrogate mother. She and the other three kids she had in foster care before us all bonded and took care of each other. Jace, Rose, Zeke, Lakita, and I became thick as thieves. Mama Joy made sure we all received an education and as much love as she could give us, after we all lost our parents in one way or another.

Jace and I owned two indigent clinics which serviced the north and south Nashville area. I was in the process of trying to open up three more in the next two years. We were pillars of the community to all the politicians, law enforcement agencies, and news media outlets. But they had no clue what Jace and I really did behind closed doors; if they did, they would run like hell and never look back, or lock us up and throw away the key.

I was the administrator of the clinics and handled the million pages of insurance and bureaucratic tape that were involved with the medical field. Jace had graduated high school early and had worked hard to finish medical school. He was the head physician of the clinics. Zeke took care of security, Lakita handled our nursing staff and pharmacy, while Rose took care of our fundraising and accounting. We all played our parts in more ways than one.

Jace was supposed to come with me today, but Lakita wasn’t feeling well and was in the last few months of her pregnancy, so he didn’t want to leave her by herself. Which left me stuck with an escort I didn’t want. Zeke was at the bottom of the stairs and helped me down so I wouldn’t trip over my dress.

The mayor and a few other key people were waiting at the bottom to congratulate me and offer donations to my clinic. Once I made sure I had emptied their pockets, I walked over to Yohan, the mayor’s aide, while Zeke collected the cards and checks. Yohan had a thing for me and I made sure to use it to my advantage for information and to ease my tension when I wanted to relax.

Yohan was half-black and half-German with vanilla skin, gray eyes, and dreads which hung to his shoulders. He had a slender build, trust fund, and was good in bed. Problem was, he spent more time in the mirror than I did. Not to mention, he was too damn square for me. I wanted someone who could be a gentleman when he needed to be but able to boss up when the occasion called for it.

Congratulations, Ms. Griggs! You look stunning as always. I have been trying to reach you so I can set up a time to meet, but you haven’t been returning my calls. I was hoping we could get together later on tonight, if you are not too busy, he said seductively, as he eye-fucked me.

Mentally rolling my eyes, I put on my best fake smile and responded, I have a few things to take care of first, but we can definitely meet up at the Vibe Lounge later on. My best friend Rose owns it and I am sure she wouldn’t mind letting us use her office.

Yohan smiled and stepped toward me. But before he could get to me, Zeke’s jealous ass had invaded my space. Zeke was the absolute opposite of Yohan; thugged out, rude as hell, and didn’t have the good sense God gave him.

He and I grew up together in the same foster home and I made the mistake of giving him my virginity; I just wanted to see what all the hoopla was about. Well you would have thought I was the one who would have fallen in love with him since he was my first; but unfortunately for me, it was the other way around. Now every man I wanted to date or fuck, he ran off with his jealous ass.

Have I told you how beautiful you look tonight? Zeke whispered in my ear, kissed me on the cheek, and placed his arms possessively around me.

Yohan was pissed off but bitched up once he got a good look at Zeke, and said, Sorry, I didn’t know she was here with someone. I will make sure to leave her alone.

Yeah, you do that playboy. I would hate to have to fuck you up about my lady, Zeke threatened.

Yohan scurried away like the bitch made nigga I knew he was. I was pissed the fuck off at Zeke for starting shit, but this wasn’t the time or place to act up.

Little bitch ran his ass right off too! Baby girl, you need to make better choices in men! I don’t know why you keep fucking with these lames anyway, when you have a real man waiting at home for you. I keep telling you we were meant to be. Zeke laughed loudly, drawing stares from the people around us.

Giving him a slight smile, I looped his arm in mine then led him away from the ballroom and into the elevator. As soon as the doors closed, I pushed his ass off me and started texting Blast to let him know to have everything ready because I was on my way.

Zeke was rubbing his hand on his dick print, as he stared at my large titties sitting up in the nude, corset evening gown I wore. I was really getting sick of his shit and was on the verge of breaking a promise I made to Mama Joy about not harming his delusional ass.

Don’t get me wrong, Zeke was fine, with a light skin tone, six-foot-one muscular frame, and he wore his hair in cornrows with a small beard. He had a set of dimples and a unique pair of eyes; one was black and the other was hazel. But what made all that fineness fade away was his possessiveness and his fondness for every pussy he came into contact with.

Damn that ass is sitting up nice! Why don’t you let me bend your thick ass over and— Zeke started before I interrupted him with an elbow to the stomach and my hand at his throat.

I had him pressed up against the elevator wall, with my scalpel digging into his neck. He had his arms raised up, because he knew I was deadly with a scalpel, razor, or knife in my hands; it was the main reason I was known as Kut in my other line of business. Zeke, I have told you to keep your fucking hands off me. For the last time, I don’t want you or your dick anywhere near me! Your ghetto ass has fucked up my plans for the night to get some information I desperately needed from Yohan! Now, I will have to go begging to his weak ass and offer up some pussy to get what I want!

Lexi, I’m sorry. You know how I feel about you! Why can’t we be together like we used to? Jace and Lakita grew up together just like we did, and they are married and having a son. That could be us but you keep playing that bullshit ass hard to get, independent woman act! Zeke ranted.

Shaking my head, I pretended to vomit and responded, I would rather rip out my uterus and shove it up your dick hole than have a baby by your delusional ass! We are not Jace and Lakita, because they actually love each other. You, to me, are like a cock-eyed tick, who can’t see the woman he is trying to attach himself to is poisonous to him. The only reason you haven’t ended up on my table, is because of Mama Joy. This is your last warning, Zeke. Next time you pull this shit at an event or anywhere else, you will end up at my next auction, do you understand?

Zeke nodded his head and I let him go before the elevator doors opened, but not before slicing his hand open that kept gripping his dick.

Ahhh fuck, Alexis, why would you do that shit! I said I understand! Zeke screamed as blood poured from his hand.

I threw him the scarf I had on around my neck so he could wrap his hand up. Stop bitching and clean yourself up, Zeke! You brought the shit on yourself!

Pulling out my compact, I checked to make sure my hair and make-up were still on point while Zeke wrapped his hand and mumbled behind me. I had business to take care of after we left here, and I always had to look my best when I met with clients.

Wiping my scalpel off, I slipped it back in the sheath I had especially made on my wrist under my sleeve. Zeke was mean mugging me but I didn’t give a fuck. He needed to keep his eyes and hands to himself.

I headed to valet and handed them the ticket to get my car. This was one time I was thankful I had driven myself. My brother had insisted I have Zeke with me tonight, because we had just completed a big job which could cause us some trouble. But Jace needed to realize I was more than capable of taking care of myself. Zeke was a distraction I really didn’t need.

Alexis, let me at least ride with you to the meeting. You know I am your right hand and head of security; part of my job is to protect you. Why won’t you let me be a man and take care of you? Zeke whined.

I stared at him for a moment, wondering what in the hell I had ever seen in him. Growing up, I thought of him as family, until teenage hormones kicked in and I crossed a line I wish I had never stepped a toe over. Zeke my childhood friend and Zeke the man were two different people. Our friendship had been forever changed after he took my virginity. The old reliable Zeke was gone and the new Zeke 5.0 fuckboy was in his place.

We had tried the couple shit for one week, it ended up with him fucking the tonsils out of the head majorette of our school band, and me walking in on them in the girls restroom; I beat both their asses and walked home. Tears were falling all over the place afterward, not from hurt feelings but from being disrespected by someone I considered a friend. After that incident, I learned loyalty was a must have for me, both personally and professionally.

Zeke, you are not my man and never will be. Stop being so damn pressed about what and who I am doing and focus on the three women who are asking for DNA tests on your ass! I am your boss, which means you do what the fuck I tell you to do, not the other way around. You know where I am going so you either follow behind me or go home while I find someone to take your place, I ordered as I stepped into my BMW and peeled out, leaving his dumb ass standing there staring at me as I headed toward the highway.

I didn’t have time to worry about Zeke or anybody else. My bank account was about to have a cool half million dollars before the night was over with, once I reached my destination.

Merging onto the highway, it started raining. I shook my head because Nashville weather was always unpredictable. I just hoped it didn’t disrupt my plans for the evening. My product needed to be on a jet ASAP headed to Mexico with little time to spare, and the last thing I needed was for my jet to be grounded due to a pop-up thunderstorm.

My phone rang, and I rolled my eyes as I saw my brother’s name pop up. I knew Zeke had called him and snitched on me. Jace and Zeke were best friends so he always ran to him when I showed my ass. My brother was very protective of me and kept forgetting I was a grown ass woman now.

Hitting the Bluetooth, I yelled, Don’t start this shit, Jace! I don’t know why you sent him tonight anyway without letting me know he was coming! Keep on and you will be burying your best friend!

There was a pause, then feminine laughter filled the air before she said, Girl, this is Kita! Your brother wanted me to call you and let you know the package needs to be there an hour sooner than he thought. The delivery driver said the weather is supposed to get worse and he doesn’t want to be caught in the storm. Now what did Zeke do this time?

Kita, you know how he is. Possessive of something that will never belong to him. Tell Jace I am on the way to take care of it now. How’s my nephew doing? I questioned.

Lakita sighed and responded, This little boy is kicking my ass right now! Your brother went to go pick me up some Sonic ‘cause all his son wants to eat is that damn ice and foot-long Coneys.

Bitch, quit lying on my nephew! Your fat ass is the one who wants all that damn food! Are we still on for tomorrow morning at the nail salon? I questioned, as I got in the right-hand lane to get off on the next exit.

Kita responded, Yeah, you know I will be there; but I’m not sure about Rose. You know she has been MIA here a lot lately. I think she is getting some new dick or something.

POP!

I grabbed the steering wheel as my car started swerving around. At first I thought someone was shooting at me, but then I realized my damn tire had blown. A few people blew at me as I moved to the shoulder of the highway, turned on my hazard lights, and turned off my car.

Lakita, my tire just blew. Let me call you back so I can get out and change this damn tire! Tell Jace I might be running a few minutes late to meet the client, I stated, slipping off my heels.

Alexis, you need to call your car service and let them do it. It’s night time and you are a female by yourself, trying to change a tire in an evening dress. That’s dangerous and you at least need to call your brother and let him come out there and help, Lakita scolded.

Grabbing my ponytail holder from the console, I put my hair up in a messy bun as I replied, It will take too long for the car service and Jace to get here. I am not far from the meeting point with the client, and I know how to change a tire myself. Just let Jace know what’s going on and I will see you in the morning.

Alright, hard headed! I will call Jace now, be careful out there, she responded before disconnecting.

As I looked out the windshield, I saw that the rain was pouring down and the interstate already had several large puddles covering the pavement.

Of course I would have to change a damn tire in the middle of a damn monsoon! This night just keeps getting better and better, I mumbled, before popping the trunk and stepping out of my car into the cold, wet weather.

Before I could get to