“I’ve already met Persephone. I just knew you two would be delightful if she created you.” She laughed.
“Well thank you,” Persephone said as she walked down the steps to greet us.
She went straight to Brandy and hugged her tightly. She rocked her from side to side as tears rolled down Brandy’s face. I wanted to hold her myself but who was I to interfere with a parent’s love?
Just looking at them reminded me of the little affection my mother used to give us. How she’d disappeared for ten years before contacting us again.
I turned to face my mother and brother. Chardonnay was cradled into his side and our mother was watching like she was about to cry herself.
“Mom, what is the issue? What can’t you and Arlando agree on?” I figured I could play peacemaker for once.
“The décor. I just wanted a little more elegant atmosphere. Nobody needs to know what the place looks like on a daily basis.”
I would have to agree with that. Having this dinner at his estate was a risk in itself.
“Well, it’s good that we’re switching things up. We don’t need to change a thing. Everyone in attendance has already seen the space,” I replied.
“Fine. Fine. I won’t suggest anything else then,” she said.
We talked for a couple of minutes until I felt Brandy’s hand on my back. Her eyes were puffy and red and I hated that she even felt anything about the bastard I just laid down. It was about time I told her Jeffrey was dead so she could breathe a little better.
“Are you alright, honeybee?” I asked.
“Yes,” she replied. “Can we get out of here?”
“Anything you want, mama. Ay, we’re going to step out for a bit.”
“We’ll see y’all tomorrow morning for breakfast and don’t be late,” Persephone said.
I nodded and Brandy said, “Yes, ma’am.”
I ushered her to the car and helped her in. Once she was secure, I nodded at my brother and he did the same as the ladies went inside. When I sat in the driver’s seat, Brandy’s head rested on my arm. I kissed her forehead then checked my surroundings. I didn’t know who could be following or snooping around. It was time to get my baby home.
TWENTY-SIX
Armond Davis
WE PULLED UP TO MY loft about twenty minutes from their property. I owned the entire top floor of the building and had a parking spot so close to the elevator you would think it was a handicap spot. We traveled into the garage and rounded the corner. She sat up as I parked and I saw the unease in her brows. She’d never been inside.
She waited for me to open her door and stepped out without accepting my hand. That shit made my jaw clench.
“You can’t accept my kindness now?”
“Maybe I just want to get inside,” she snapped. I was going to let her have it but the second we walked in my place, she was going to hear it.
Her silence the entire way up was starting to piss me off. I didn’t care about what the fuck just happened. She was always safe with me. I hated that she acted like she had to be on guard with me too. No matter how much I showed her I’d always stand on business when it came to her.
Joshua showing up set her back tremendously and that pissed me off more. The distant brother who didn’t care for the man’s existence suddenly reappeared to find out wherehe’d been? Shit didn’t sit right and now I was beginning to wonder what her relationship with Joshua looked like. Maybe I was creating scenarios, but her silence and lack of touch were frustrating.
I entered the code then used my thumbprint to unlock the door to my place. Brandy looked around curiously then her eyes ballooned as we stepped inside.
From the entrance, the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city were visible. She kicked off her sneakers then rushed over to the window and the beam on her face made all this silence worth it. I wasn’t even mad any longer.
“Armond, this view is exceptional,” she said.
“The best in the city,” I replied as I walked up behind her.
She tensed from my touch but stared at me intensely through our reflections in the window.
