“Daddy!” Gianna came running over with her cute, little white dress that matched Noemi’s. “Now that you and Mommy are married, are we going to live together forever when we get home? She won’t have to leave us again, right?”
Two days ago, when I asked Noemi to marry me, Gianna asked if she would be her new mommy and if she could call her that. Of course, Noemi cried and told her she could call her whatever she wanted. We took the time to explain to her thather mother was gone and was never coming back. My daughter wasn’t the slightest bit sad about the news. If you were abused and mistreated by the one who was supposed to love and protect you, I assume you wouldn’t be sad either.
“She sure is, baby girl.” I kissed her face, causing her to squeal. “We’re going to surprise her with a big house when we get back home.” Glancing over at Mimi, I watched her and smirked as she received love from both of our families. They all played a part in making our impromptu beach wedding a success, and I appreciated them all. I would do anything for her to live in this moment forever. “Can you keep that a secret?”
“I won’t tell, Daddy! I promise!” She held her pinky out to me before wiggling out of my arms and running over to Big Bri. I chuckled once I saw her whisper in her ear because I knew for sure she was telling her the secret.
“Welcome to the family.” Rosier walked over, pulling me into his embrace. “Thank you for loving my sister the way you do. I don’t know how I would have lived with myself had she gone through with the marriage to Chandler.”
“Well, we will never know, nigga.” I smirked, causing him to do the same. Looking around, the sun was setting, and the real party was about to begin. “Let me make sure my wife enjoys her night so we can work on your nephew later.”
“Bitch—” Rosier placed me in the headlock, but I wrestled his big ass off me. “I’m sick of you, nigga.”
“Too bad this shit is for life,brother.” I chuckled and made my way over toward the rest of the family.
Tonight was a celebration of life and love. We paid for a live band for entertainment as well as more caterers. Noemi wanted steak and seafood, so I made sure we had it in abundance, plus alcohol. She would have to drink with us fellas tonight since all the women were knocked up. The way she and Dre were already throwing back shots, I knew I was in for a wild night.
“Thank you so much for all of this, husband.” Noemi giggled as she and I rocked to the band playing the Isley Brothers. “I’m in the fuckin’ clouds, and I never want to come down.”
“You’re married to a Mills, baby.” I winked as I gripped her ass. “You never have to.”
There was a time when I didn’t think love would ever be in the cards for me again. There was a time when I smiled maybe once a week. There was a time when I felt misunderstood and never tried to be understood. None of that was true anymore. As I peered down at my drunken wife with her head thrown back as she sang “For The Love Of You,” I thanked God she bulldozed her way into my life and my heart.
“Jordan, do you mind if I share a dance with my little cousin?” Dre walked over and interrupted. His eyes were glassy as hell. “I just want to tell her how proud I am of her. Also, thank you.”
“For what?” I frowned before kissing her forehead and letting her go.
“Giving her the love she’s always wanted.”
Nodding, I told my baby I was going inside to check on business. Money and Jerome were holding down the fort until I came back home. I had a bag for those guys because they have really stepped up and in for me these past few months.
“Bro…” Money answered as soon as the call connected. The voices in the background let me know he was on the block. “Are congratulations in order?”
“Hell yeah.” I smiled as I looked down at my diamond-encrusted wedding band. “A nigga is married as fuck.”
“I know that’s fuckin’ right.” He inhaled deeply, indicating he was smoking. “Give sis a hug for me.”
“Got you.” I entered the small study, turned on the light, and closed the door behind me. “How’s business?”
For the time being, we only had one house up and running until I was back home to put together another team. I didn’t trust the niggas, so I let Money and his brothers run it all for me. Those boys were as close to me as Wild and Uno were, so I had no worries anymore.
“Everything is what it’s supposed to be.” I placed the phone on the counter, muting it while I relieved myself in the bathroom. “We’re good until you come back, but I need to know about the rat problem. I still have six of them isolated.”
Listening to him, I knew he was asking in code what to do about the niggas we found who were helping Lew. I’d had him grab them and hold them at the warehouse in Sunset Valley. It was time to rid myself of everything that didn’t mean me and mine any good, once and for all.
“Exterminate them all.” I smirked, not missing a beat. “I hate rodents.”
After making sure he didn’t need anything else, I checked in on Jerome. When I left Florida and returned to the Grove, I made him the official manager of Club Honey. That was all he needed, besides the pay, to go into full boss mode. The girls, as well as the customers, loved his humor and hospitality. We’ve seen income triple some weekends since he’s been there as the boss. I was willing to make any demands he had as long as they didn’t involve me, my brothers, or my sanity.
“The fuck?” I looked around the dark study, confused. I was feeling good, but I wasn’t drunk, so I knew damn well I had turned the light on when I stepped inside. Stumbling through the room in the darkness, I heard a lighter flicker, causing me to pause. Slowly, I looked behind me and saw the light emitting from the corner.
“Jordan Mills…” I could have sworn I heard Jules’ voice say. “The Spirit of Bonye welcomes you. Protect and love your wifewith your heart and soul, and the ancestors will always welcome and protect you both.”
I tried my hardest to move my feet, but it was as if I were bolted to the floor. Just when I found my words, I was stunned into silence when the light became brighter and a silhouette of Jules emerged from the corner. Dressed in a long, white gown with piercings and markings over his face, he smiled at me before speaking in Haitian, then fading back into the darkness.
“Oh hell naw!” The lights flicked back on as I opened the office door and got my ass the fuck out of there. Running through the house, I made my way back to the beach. Once the family saw the panic on my face, all merriment stopped as they eyed me with worry.
“What the fuck is up?” Dre was the first to reach me. Looking around, I found Mimi near the band, dancing with my father. Dragging my eyes around the beach, my eyes stretched as they landed on Jules. He was cool as a fan, having the time of his life, laughing with Uno, Harley, and Bridgette.
