Out of everybody that knew me, Seri was the only one that knew me front and back. I panicked like there was no tomorrow. He was winning in this game of chess with everything he said, and this was the ultimate checkmate. I didn’t know how to challenge it or if I even wanted to. I’d been doing that since he walked into my life. I developed an attachment to him when I tried not to. That said a lot about how he was as a man and partner.
“Girl, did it. A wife, Seri? That’s a lot of pressure, especially with him. I don’t even know what the hell he does for a living or how he got so much damn money. For all I know the nigga could be a damn serial killer.”
“I think he’s killed before. I mean, a nigga that crazy. Yeah, he got some bodies under his belt for sure. That ain’t none of our business though Klarity. All you need to worry about is loving him wholeheartedly because guess the fuck what. He’s not Cojak. It’s okay to love and be loved in return. Wear his name and be proud of it. You deserve everything he’s doing and giving you. He didn’t propose, so the fuck what. However, I would make that nigga give me a grand wedding to make up for it.”
I smirked when she mentioned the wedding. Going back and forth in my head about my feelings wasn’t shit but my insecurities shining through from the relationship with my kid’s dad. Royce was the real deal and Seri was right. I deserved everything coming my way from him.
The talk with Seri changed gears and before I knew it, I was fed and tipsy as hell. I walked out of the restaurant feeling better about everything I had going on with Royce. My life wasn’t bad at all now that I had him. I didn’t understand why I was fighting myself on it.
Hopping in the passenger seat, I programmed the car to drive me home. I wasn’t ‘bout to risk my life knowing I had two kids and a husband waiting for me.
A husband? A husband.
I relaxed until I was back at the compound. I couldn’t even open the car door good before Royce was in my face scooping me up like I was some damn child. I wasn’t even drunk. Poor CJ came flying out the house past me to Royce Senior as if he didn’t see me in distress at all.
“I know how to walk, Royce,” I said wanting him to put me down but hold me at the same time.
“I know what the hell you can do. Why you go out drinking knowing you got to feed my daughter? All that breastmilk ‘bout to get dumped ‘cause you want to do dumb shit,” he fussed.
He was so serious and all I could muster up was a laugh. He looked at me like he wanted to smack fire from me which made me laugh even harder. I was feeling good, and it wasn’t shit he could do about it.
“Are you a killer? Me and Seri was wondering if you were. She said you was, so I need you to say something ‘bout that.”
“Yup among a lot of other shit. Why you so fuckin’ curious, My Baby?”
“Ooouuu, like what?” I asked excitedly as he carried me upstairs.
“Selling illegal goods. Stop asking me questions and stop talking to Seri ‘bout me. That shit gon’ piss me off. Know it ain’t nothing you’ll ever have to be involved in. I mean, besides being the wife of the head of The Oath.”
“Whatever that means. I’m sleepy, Royce. I want to lay down.” I didn’t hear a word that nigga said.
“We ‘bout to shower first then get in the bed. I just laid Essence down and my mama supposed to be coming over to cook and handle them. I got business to take care of tonight.”
“You’re always leaving me,” I whined.
“Don’t start, My Baby. I been with you and the kids for two months straight. I got to get back to business. I won’t be gone long.”
“You promise?”
“Yeah man, I promise,” he said chuckling.
I smiled knowing this man was wrapped around my finger while I was slowly but surely doing the same for him. He cared and that a blind man could see. He didn’t lie to me, and I wasn’t expecting him to. A man of his caliber didn’t have a reason to. I believed him when he told me that me and my kids were enough. It showed in everything he did for us. Now all I had to do was step out my own way and enjoy it.
Fifteen
Royce
Being the head of a table meant you had attention centered around you and only you. Now my Black ass had to go to a fuckin’ ceremony solidifying my seat at that same exact table. Yonnis called me the next day from My Baby signing all of them papers letting me know everything was approved. I felt like a new nigga being married and shit.
“Mr. Atkins, if you could step this way to try on your pieces. They’re ready.” The tailor approaching me pulled me out my thoughts. “Alaina, bring him some champagne if you don’t mind,” she ordered one of her employees.
I stood and followed her to the room designed just for me. She was an Atkins tailor for years and made more than enough to keep her and her family comfortable for generations at a time. We never paid anyone less than what they deserved.
“Make it two glasses, Selena. Striker should be here any minute,” I corrected her.
“Of course. If there is anything else we can do for you, please let me know, and I’ll take care of it. The first one is the black on black velvet. Please take your time.”
Selena stepped out and allowed me to undress. The many mirrors that lined the front wall held my reflection in them. Icouldn’t lie, I was a fine ass nigga. My people went to work when they made me. It didn’t matter what I put on; it didn’t change shit. I was still that nigga. From orange ass jumpsuits to tailor made suits, I was gon’ make the look, not the other way around.
