Ruthless by Shelia M. Goss

Mabel.”
    Ms. Mabel was an older woman who looked to be in her sixties. “Child, I didn’t think I was going to see you ever again. I’ve been meaning to come see you up in the hospital, but with my arthritis and being blind in one eye and can’t see out the other, I couldn’t drive up there to see you.”
    â€œThat’s okay, Ms. Mabel. I know you prayed for me, right?” Delilah said as she leaned on Sheba.
    â€œWasn’t a day gone by that I didn’t send up a special prayer for you. God is good. He answered my prayers. Just look at you.” Ms. Mabel raised her hands up and looked up toward the sky.
    Sheba helped Delilah up the stairs. They left Ms. Mabel outside, still talking.
    Delilah said, “She’ll be on the phone in a few minutes, calling everybody in the neighborhood. She’s the neighborhood gossiper.”
    â€œI can tell,” Sheba responded as the two laughed.

Chapter 16
    David was thrilled to get the call he had been waiting for. Delilah’s voice boomed through the room. He was in the middle of his morning workout, so he had her on speakerphone. “My sister has allowed me to stay with her while I recuperate. I don’t know how long I will be here, so if you’re going to make your move, I suggest you do it soon, so I can at least be around to get in her head.”
    â€œI’m leaving for New York in the morning. I wish you would have called me sooner. I could have been there tonight.”
    â€œThat wouldn’t have gone over too well with her. Let me work on her for a few days. When do you think you can come through?” Delilah asked.
    David stopped working out and picked up his iPhone. He scrolled through his calendar. “I’ll be in New York, and then I’m flying to Milan. I’ll be back in the States on Wednesday.”
    â€œYou go, boy. I see why you’re the king.”
    â€œAnd you know it,” David responded.
    Nathan walked in the room but remained quiet when he saw David hold up his hand.
    â€œDo what you do. You got my number. Just call me when you’re on your way, and I’ll do the rest.”
    David ended his call.
    Nathan said, “Hey, man, you’re a hard person to catch up with.”
    â€œTrying to keep a roof over my head,” David replied.
    â€œYou mean, a couple of roofs. You got property in every state.”
    â€œNo, man, not in every state. Twenty-five of them, but not every.”
    Nathan threw his hands up in the air. “See? That’s what I’m talking about. You need to hook a brotha up with a job so he can share in the wealth.”
    David knew Nathan was joking. Nathan was doing well on his own. His wealth didn’t compare to David’s, but as the pastor of one of Dallas’s mega churches and the author of over ten New York Times best-selling books, Nathan was far away from the poorhouse. He was a sought-after speaker and had traveled the world. He repeatedly showed up on the Forbes and the Black Enterprise millionaires’ list as one of the top paid authors in the United States.
    â€œWho was that woman with the sexy voice?” Nathan asked as he took the liberty of getting himself a bottle of water from the small refrigerator in David’s office.
    â€œThat’s Delilah,” David said as he went back to lifting weights.
    â€œIs she as sexy as she sounds?” Nathan asked while sitting down with his drink.
    â€œJust as sexy as her sister.”
    â€œDo I know her sister?” Nathan asked.
    â€œNot yet, but you will. Remember Sheba, the woman I was telling you about?”
    â€œThe one married to one of your directors?”
    â€œYes. Delilah is her sister.”
    â€œWell, what is her sister doing talking to you?”
    â€œShe’s helping me out with something.”
    Nathan finished his water and placed the empty bottle on the coaster on the table. “Man, you’re playing with