Page 76 of Love & Vendettas
“What the hell is going on?”
“I don’t know right now, but you’ll know when I do. I’m trying to get to the bottom of this shit. Someone’s setting me up, and I’m not going down without a fight. Right now, the only thing that I want is to come home, see my woman, dap up my young men, and rest my head in my safe space.”
“Come on, baby. We’re all waiting for you,” she replies. “I love you, Z.”
“Not as much as I love you, B.”
We end the call, and I lay my head back to rest. Ghalen pipes some soft jazz through the speakers and allows me to have my quiet space.
By the time Ghalen pulls up to my estate, war is in my heart.
I barely have the door open before Bayleigh comes running down the stairs. She looks so beautiful and graceful in a yellow, sleeveless sheath that flows down to her bare feet.
My baby is constantly changing her hairstyle, but today, her hair is free. She throws herself into my arms, and I swear that I’ve never seen a more beautiful sight.
I kiss her lips, not giving a damn who’s watching as she jumps up and wraps her legs around me. I hold her close as she slips her tongue inside my mouth. Only after I’m satisfied with the sweetest taste of my baby do I let her go, and she slides out of my arms.
Tears flow down her face, and she hisses, “Don’t you ever keep me out of shit again. I’m not fragile, Zaire. I can kick ass with the best of them.”
She makes each of those pronouncements with a fist to my chest.
When she finishes, I grab her hands and say, “I will never allow you to run these streets. You are a lady, and you’re my safe space to come home to. Those young men need you at home making shit right.”
I point at our sons on the stairs behind her. She turns and looks at them, and when she turns back to me, she presses her fingers against her lips and stares into my eyes.
I reach up and wipe the tears from her face.
“I will do whatever I need to do to protect you. Do you understand me?”
Nodding, she whispers, “Yes, baby.”
We head up the stairs and into the house. The kids follow us to the family room. They have a million questions, all of which I attempt to answer at once. I’m tired, but never too tired for this.
Zechariah’s girlfriend, Marika, is here with us, and she’s wrapped up in his arms. Zayn’s girlfriend, Shana, is also there, sitting beside him.
He kisses her temple and whispers to her on and off throughout our conversation.
“Listen, things have changed. As y'all can see, I’ve stepped up security around the home, including camera surveillance in and out of the home and at our businesses. You each have an additional two men on your detail.
“Nobody leaves this house without checking with me first. Zech, we’ve already worked with your professors to attend classes online until we get shit straightened out. Same for you, Zayn, and Zaccai. Baby, your staff will have to take on your clients for a little while.”
I see the disappointment in Bayleigh’s eyes, but she knows that I’m not budging on this.
“Riley, you’ll be here with us for the foreseeable future, so I hope that we don’t get on your last nerves.”
Riley smiles at me and nods.
“We have to be on our toes, and I’ll do whatever I have to do to protect you all at all times. I trust no one right now, so you have to keep your eyes open at all times. Bayleigh and Riley, I know you’re adults, but I need you both in sync with me and trusting that I’m making the right calls.”
They both nod in agreement.
“Can I have a friend over?” Zaccai asks.
“Not right now, little G. We’ll work something out. Be patient with me. Okay?”
He nods.
“You’ve got us, little G,” Zechariah declares, rubbing his brother’s unruly curly hair.
