I loved his confidence. It exuded effortlessly and he made it so easy to fall for him. He could say something simple and it made my heart race. Anticipation alone would be enough to push me forward for the next couple of days.
“When do you leave?”
“In the morning.”
“Too busy to meet up before you head out? Are you far from me?”
“I'm never too far, mama. I'll always come running to you.”
“Well then, I'd love to meet up with you whenever you're free. I know you have a lot going on with your brother, so I don't expect it to be right away.”
“Mama, when do you want to see me?”
“Now.”
“Then you'll see me. I'll be there shortly, so make sure you go take that shower.”
I giggled and nodded, knowing he couldn't see me. I was smiling hard.
“I'll see you soon,Armond.”
“Mmhmm. Indeed, you will.”
We disconnected the call and I shot up to get ready. I glanced at the ring on my finger and felt like I was in a fairytale. There was no way I was this giddy over a man I'd known for less than a week. The way my heart was racing, I knew I was smitten. Theway he went about me was like he was just as smitten and I grew excited to see where this night would take us.
FOURTEEN
Armond Davis
I ARRIVED AT MY BROTHER’S estate well into the afternoon. My brunch with Brandy went longer than I'd expected but it was well worth it. I got to know my baby a little more and understand the dynamic between her and Jeffery. It didn't take long to receive the information she didn't know about him and there would be nothing more satisfying than ridding the world of one less ignorant bastard.
His rap sheet was long and disgusting. It was clearly made up to make him look like he wasn’t an undercover cop and it stuck. Also finding out he was the one who shot his partner didn’t sit well either. Snatching him up was best for everyone.
The second I stepped out of the truck, my brother walked out of the front door and raised his arms with a glass of liquor in one of his hands. He was all smiles and that let me know our last ties to the attempted heist were dealt with and no longer a burden.
“Brother!” He wrapped his arms around me for a hug and I laughed because he was drunk as hell and stumbled right into me. I took the drink from his hand and tossed it back so he wouldn't even consider sipping another drop.
“You started the celebration without me?”
“Maybe just a little.”
“Well, fuck you for that. Let's get inside. Where's Mum?”
“Oh, she went out with Mrs. Teena to some concert. Pedro and Bucky are with them. No worries.”
“No wonder you're up to your eyeballs in liquor.”
“Damn straight. You know how hard it is to be around the woman who shuns everything but wine itself? She slapped a blunt out of my hand and I almost hissed at her.”
I laughed as we made our way inside. Though my father always made us fight each other coming up, it built an unbreakable bond between me and Arlando.
We trained endless hours together and my father thought he was building enemies like he and his brother were, but we were completely opposite. We tended to each other's wounds and talked through every adversity. That's why he was my partner in everything I did without question. There was no other person on earth I trusted more than him.
“How's the dating life treating yuh?” he slurred. I watched him plop down onto the sofa and click on the television before I said a word.
“It's going well. I'm infatuated with this woman.”
“Oh yeah? She must be sent from God himself then cuz you don't like anyone.” He laughed.
