Aku stopped him. “You don’t need that here.”
He looked at her like she’d lost her mind. “See, Dorothy, I do…this muthafucka gotta stay with me at all times. If you knew the life I lived, you’d understand.”
“I understand now…but trust me.”
Malik huffed, just staring at the two burly men on the porch. Could he trust her? Should he trust her? Malik wasn’t sure…yet.
“Please, Malik.” Those almond eyes had him pulling the gun from his waist and tucking it under the passenger seat. “Thank you.” Her hand brushed against the soft stubble on his chin.
“Watch out.” Malik blushed.
Aku only snickered as they both pushed out of the truck. By now both her shoes were off her feet and she padded to the front door. Malik watched the soft sway of her hips, chewing down his lip.
They both spoke to Noodle’s security before pushing inside the front door. The woodsy scent engulfed them and the faint smell of something good made both their stomachs rumble.
“Honey, I’m home!” Aku announced. “And Kamari better not have played over all the food.”
Once Kamari heard his name, he ran full speed into her legs. “Aki!” he yelled her name as best he could. He was still learning how to annunciate words but they all knew what he was saying.
“Hey, baby,” she cooed, picking him up. Kamari paid her no more attention, once his eyes landed on Malik.
Malik winked at him, making him fall back in a fit of laughter. “What’s up, lil man?”
“Say hi, Mari,” Aku coached.
“Hi,” Kamari smiled big with his head full of hair. They’d let him start growing it back out and he was still the cutest.
Noodle came around the corner, stopping in her tracks once she saw Malik. “Oh,” she giggled like she didn’t know he was coming. Aku had already sent the SOS.
Aku rolled her eyes. “Noodle, stop playing.” She put Kamari back on his feet for him to go on about his little business. “Malik, this is my Auntie and best friend, Noodle.”
“I know who she is,” he said with a smile. “Jacory, nice to meet you.” His long arm extended for a gentle handshake.
Noodle blushed because Malik was that rugged kind of fine—the same charm that won her over with Bu. “Call me Noodle.”
He tilted his head. “Okay, Noodle.”
Next Ahvi rushed over. “I’m Ahvi.”
“I heard your food was good, can’t wait to try it.”
Ahvi smiled big, wiggling her brows at Aku likegirl he is fine.
Aku gave a knowing smirk likeI told you so.
She hooked her hand into Malik’s, pulling him deeper into the house. “Where the men at?”
“Out back smoking,” Noodle answered. “I handled that already.”
Malik looked between the two of them. He was from the hood, so he picked up on them speaking in code. He wasn’t too worried though, just made a mental note of it. His life had always been set up in a way that kept him on high alert.
Bu, Lunar, Pimp, and Devonte walked into the house from the backyard. The air in the room changed just that quick.
The red hat flipped backwards on Bu’s head, caught Malik’s attention. His hand went to his waist, forgetting he left his piece in the car. Those eyes Aku wanted to stare into forever, glared into her making her skin hot.
Bu wasn’t even looking at Malik when he walked in. Just sipping his mimosa and talking low to Pimp and Little Lunar like the room didn’t just shift.
But Malik felt it.
