The Deed to a Gangsta’s Heart

Chapter 1

1

R emedy

As I pulled into our estate cove, I confirmed the meeting Armor wanted to have next week. When I went to prison, I didn’t think it would lead to me meeting Armor, developing a bond with him, and getting out to start a lucrative business. We ended up getting out six months apart with him being released first. He laid the groundwork, and when I regained my freedom, we took off. Now, our real estate business pulled in seven figures a year.

We didn’t just buy and sell real estate, but we handled every part of the process. Construction, maintenance, property management, lawn care, even staging and décor. Armored Remedy Real Estate had become a staple not just in Jasper Lane but in the Mid-South. What I was most proud of was the fact that we only employed those with a criminal record .

Our pasts were muddied with an unsavory reputation of being gangstas who were a threat to the community. Now, we served it. We were ex-convicts and that couldn’t be denied, but between us providing jobs and free and discounted housing to those in need, people began to see us as a blessing to the community. There were some who still looked at us like we were trouble, but it didn’t matter. I was legit now and out of the streets, but I was still about that life, and so was Armor, so I never worried about anyone trying or disrespecting me regardless of how they felt.

One of the perks of having connections in our small town was being able to make sure no one rented Callie an apartment or home. She thought she’d been having a hard time finding somewhere to move because the options were limited, but it was because I’d made it clear to every realtor in the city what would happen if they housed her. I wanted her to live with me and me alone. My plan worked because she was on her way back home from Memphis and my home would be hers indefinitely. She didn’t want to move back in with her parents after getting a taste of adulthood and independence, so I was the second best option.

For a while, I did consider helping her find a good apartment or rental property, but the truth was, I missed my best friend and wanted her close. We’d been inseparable since the age of five until she left for college. Well, one could argue I broke the bond first because I was arrested our last year of high school. We still saw each other when she came to visit me, but when she moved to Memphis, that stopped.

I got out of juvie and was free for about three years before going to prison. After serving three of my five year sentence, I vowed to focus on my business with Armor and never get sat down again. We were five years in with Armored Remedy , and so far, we’d stayed out of trouble. I could say me fighting, stealing, and selling drugs was because of peer pressure since I came from a good home, but beyond that, I loved the power and thrill of it. Now, I received that thrill in different ways. The only thing I felt could take me back to my old ways was the need to protect someone I loved. As long as that didn’t happen, I’d stay a free man.

“Are you taking the rest of the week off?” Armor asked as I absently looked over the landscaping.

“Nah, but I will work from home. Callie should adjust with no problems, but I want to be near in case she does need anything.”

“Okay. I’ll let Amy and Pamela know they’ll need to forward the rest of your calls to your business cell phone and not the office line.”

“Aight, thanks, man. I’ll talk to you later.”

“Aight, enjoy your girl.”

I knew he didn’t mean that in a sexual or even romantic way, but the words made me smile as I disconnected the call. As I passed my parents’ home, I made the mental note to use my time away from the office to work on a few things at their house. Since they didn’t want me to buy or build them a new one, I bought the surrounding land around their home to turn into a family estate. At the moment, it was just my home and theirs since I was an only child. Eventually, my kids would have homes on my land too.

Two minutes later, I pulled into my garage and hopped out of the pickup truck. I did a quick walk through of my home to make sure everything was clean and in order for my girl. There wasn’t a woman alive that I loved more than Callie other than my mama and grandma, whom I called my grand lady.

Callie was my whole heart. We’d taken care of each other since kindergarten. She tried to keep me out of the streets, and I made sure she was always provided for and protected. I hated the time she spent away in Memphis and tried to visit her as much as I could, but with business thriving as much as it was, I was hardly ever able to stay away for more than a couple of days at a time.

At the sound of tires on gravel, I made my way downstairs and out the front door. My parents may not have wanted an updated home, but I made sure the home I built for myself was large enough to hold all my future kids and be updated over the years. The three story dwelling place cost me two million dollars and probably would have been more if I wasn’t in such a small town. It was worth it though. Outside of my business, my home was my pride and joy, and I was glad to be sharing it with my best friend.

As soon as she cut her car off, I pulled Callie out and into my arms. “Oop.” She giggled and clumsily hugged me back as she tried to gain her footing. Like I’d ever let her fall. Hell, I hadn’t even been able to get her to fall for me.

“I missed the sound of your laugh in person, pookie,” I confessed.

“I can tell. It seems like you missed me too.”

“Just your laugh,” I teased, holding her closer. My nose was buried in her hair as I inhaled the scent of it.

She clung to me and released a content sigh. “I missed you, pooh. Are you sure it’s okay for me to stay here? I don’t want to stay with my parents, but I can—”

“Nah.” Taking her cheeks into my palms, I made sure to look into her eyes as I said, “I want you here.”

Her grin spread wide and shoulders hiked. “Good. I still can’t believe I couldn’t find an apartment or rental house. I mean, I know Jasper Lane is small but Jesus. There was literally nothing available in a decent neighborhood. ”

Because I’d never lie to her, I remained silent. I couldn’t tell her I was the reason she couldn’t find anything. Regardless of how much I assured myself what I’d done was normal, Armor swore it was unhinged and obsessive behavior. Whatever it was, I’d do it again with no hesitation if it meant having her here with me.