“So, since when we started making shit confidential? We’ve all been in this together, and now shit is switching up.” Clearlythat bothered Uncle Duval. He and DJ were once over our drug empire until I pulled the plug on it four years ago. Slowly, I’d been offsetting product. Since they no longer operated the drug warehouses, I moved them into other roles within the family. Unc was now in charge of security operations.
“The buyer in this case wishes to remain confidential for reasons that I was willing to grant them.” My comment left no room for further discussion on the matter. Unc shook his head and glanced at his older brother as if my father would object to anything I said or did.
“Aside from the product being offloaded, stocks in Bell Oil, Inc. have continued to rise. Despite the state of the economy, we’re holding strong, and we plan to keep it that way,” Noa informed us.
“What we really need to be discussing is what we plan to do about all the chaos that’s happening in Pensacola. The OGs are surely rolling in their graves for how we’re letting the city go to hell,” Unc added.
“The war going on in Pensacola isn’t our concern. As long as it doesn’t come to our doorstep, we hold our line.”
The men around the table were quiet a minute until Unc said, “If you don’t do something, the war will eventually spill over to Niceville Shores. Then, what?”
There was in fact a war going on. It wasn’t just one crew against another. Crews big and small were fighting for supremacy in an economy that was leaving many buyers strapped. Pensacola had a few powerful families who remained just as silent as we were.
“If you ask me, I agree with Adir. Holding our line is best. The streets can’t expect him to always come to the rescue. Muhfuckas gotta learn to sort that shit out amongst themselves.”
“Agreed.”
“I agree.”
“So, do I.”
Outnumbered, Unc leaned back in his chair and shook his head. Regardless of how he felt, I knew what the fuck I was doing. No one was going to force me to do shit. Not even if it meant calming the fires spreading throughout the city.
“One last thing,” I stated. “Humble will soon be moving into a role within the family.”
“What role is that?” DJ questioned.
“He’ll be shadowing you.” That was all I said for now.
“Aight, cool,” he replied.
Ten minutes later, I called the meeting to a close. I was tired as hell and ready to call it a night. I walked into the room wanting to climb under Pretty. Instead, I went to the couch and plopped down. Of course, Pretty was wide awake, watching me closely.
“Everything’s good,” I assured her.
“Okay,” she whispered. Seconds later, she laid her head on the mound of pillows, pulled the covers up to her mouth and closed her eyes. Leaning over, I turned out both lamps and called it a night myself.
COCO
Oneofmyhandsheld Adir’s and the other held his wrist. It was the only way I could keep myself steady. Everything about him intoxicated me, causing me to feel tipsy although I hadn’t consumed one drop of liquor. It was a wonder I could put one foot in front of the other.
Unlike our wedding day, tonight was just…different. Since watching him pleasuring himself the other night, his energy was nearly sweeping me up and taking me on a ride without him having to do much. Recalling how hard he’d been, how sexy he’d looked, and how intoxicating his voice had been…I couldn’t handle not having him anymore. He’d brought me to climax without laying a finger on me. His pull was just too much.
It was the way he looked at me, for one. His eyes were low and darkly haunting like he sensed the inhibitions fleeing my mind and body. Because, truthfully, they definitely were. I’d strip right here in front of all these people if he asked me to.
However, I knew he’d never. The way he looked at me told me that he hated to be leaving home with me looking so good. He had no idea what lay beneath, but this dress left nothing to the imagination. I’d worn expensive, barely there threads before, but this dress was so elegant that I was afraid to move wrong in it. It concealed my body just enough to have Adir in his feelings because I was in the public’s view. Only, I was solely glued to him.
Security flanked us as we walked the short distance to the red carpet where A-list celebrities stopped to get their shots in. There were so many flashes going off, I had to look away for a second. Jitters started to set in. As I imagined, the Mayor’s Grande Ball was indeed something out of a Hollywood movie.
We stepped onto the red carpet to Adir’s name being repeatedly shouted. The fact that all these people called out to him like he was a celebrity jarred me. Our wedding was small and intimate. This was open and overwhelming.
“Pretty Bell!” My name being shouted by the onlookers had my heart in my throat.
They know you! my brain shouted, shocking me.
Adir was a pro. He stopped us, brought me into his arms, and gave the cameras what they wanted to see. His hand on my bare back as he showed me off caused my face to flush.
“Beautiful!”
