Cecilia sat down across from her and bit a piece of toast. “Have you spoken to him about it?”
“Spoken to him? He won’t even hold a conversation that last for more than five minutes. I want more from him, but he won’t budge. What should I do?”
Bria was so aggravated with the course of her marriage. Why were they still at first base after being married for over a month? Why was it so easy for Lo to shut down on her? Something had to be wrong with him. The man barely smiled and when he did it was because he had done something to annoy her.
“Marriage can be mentally taxing.”
“It shouldn’t be after a month.”
“It doesn’t matter the time. There are good seasons and then there are troubling seasons.”
“Well, you and Dad have been married for a long time so tell me what to do to get through to Lo.”
“Well, I would have a nice talk with him. Maybe you should cook and wear something sexy. That way you can entice him while cooking for him.”
Bria gave it some thought and bobbed her head. “Okay, food, lingerie, and a talk. You think that’ll work?”
Cecilia gave a half-shrug. “It’s worth a try. When you talk to him, make sure you're not talking at him or giving him attitude. I want you to be open and calm. If that doesn’t work, take a step back and evaluate if this is something you're willing to deal with.”
“I can tell you right now that it’s not. I want to be in love. I don't want a loveless marriage. I need some adoration and affection.”
“I get it. I’m the same way. There is a certain way that I need to be loved, and your father does a great job at that.”
“Yeah, well, at least somebody is getting loved on.”
Smirking, her mother replied, “Have you guys been intimate yet?”
“No.”
“Really? That’s strange.”
“He’sstrange.” Bria rolled her eyes at the idea of Lo. “He makes me regret even getting married.”
“Well, let’s not take it that far. This could work, especially with more effort on his part. Bria, be patient. It’s only been a little over a month. He’ll open up to you.”
Bria didn’t have patience. It was actually a flaw she’d possessed ever since she was a child. Being the youngest gave her leeway to be impatient. She had taken it with her in adulthood and now Lo was testing her patience.
“I hope so.”
“He will. Look I’m going to write down my recipe for my Mississippi pot roast. You follow my directions, put on something sexy to wear, and I think this will get him to open up. Bria, you're a beautiful woman. Use your feminine wiles to entice your husband.”
Bria’s forehead wrinkled. “What’s feminine wiles?”
“A woman’s superpower. Use it to your advantage.”
While Cecilia wrote down the recipe for the pot roast, Bria thought about what she would say to Lo. She had so much to unload but didn’t know where to start.
Her mother slid the paper to her. “Follow every instruction, Bria. No cutting corners.”
She smirked. “I won’t.”
“Now, tell me all about your performance.”
It was the monthly don meeting, and Lo found himself sitting on the side of Devyn. Typically, these meetings were held for important updates, alerts of federal activity, or if the chiefs needed to pass a message to the dons. Lo didn’t have to be present, but Devyn insisted that he and Meco attend so they could be up to speed on everything.
Joe entered the room and took a seat in the open chair. “Gentlemen, it’s always nice to catch up with you all. I would like to introduce Douglas to the fold. He is officially Noir Mob, thanks to Lo’s contribution.”
“Y’all give this nigga too much credit,” Rowan fussed.
