Chapter 19 #2
However, I knew it wouldn’t be too good for long because I’d already made the call to end her uncle.
“Y’all give it up for Mr. and Mrs. Quintooon!” the DJ yelled as the beat dropped to Jagged Edge’s “Let’s Get Married” remix.
Harvey and Paige made their way inside the ballroom as everyone formed a soul train line.
I stood off to the side, sipping my drink, while everyone was on the dance floor vibing.
I smiled, watching my nigga hold a bottle of champagne in one hand, while grinding on his new wife.
Arieana had gone to the restroom while my mother sauntered her way over to me.
“Hey, beautiful,” I complimented once she made it to me.
“Hey, handsome. Why are you sitting over here alone? Where’s your date?”
“She went to the restroom. She should be back in a minute.”
“Hmph,” she mumbled, then took a seat next to me, taking my hand. I smiled at her and kissed her cheek. “Your father told me about her.”
I paused for a moment before I spoke, “Oh yeah? What did he tell you?”
“That she’s the niece of the man he’s been silently beefing with for years.”
The fuck, Papi?
“Why would he tell you that?”
“Because he’s concerned for you, baby. And, honestly, I am too. Nothing good can come from this.”
“Ma, I assure you… everything will be good. You don’t have to worry yourself.”
“How can I not when you’re sleeping with the enemy’s daughter?”
“She’s not the enemy, though, Ma?—”
“What if she finds out that you and your father had her uncle killed? What don’t you think she’ll do then?”
“She won’t find out… and like I told Papi, in the event that she does, I’ll take that heat.”
“Do you love her?”
I looked out at the crowd as my eyes landed on Harvey and Paige.
It was clear they were in love, and I found myself wanting the same.
Since I’d run into Arie that night in her club, I couldn’t help but think about her.
At the time, I just wanted to punish her for her fucked up attitude, but the more time we spent together, the more infatuated I became with her.
She was opening up and allowing me to see her scars—to see the beauty beyond her pain. I had allowed her to be a woman who could be in touch with her feminine side and not hide behind that tough exterior she wore daily—that armor.
Did I love her, though?
“Yeah, I think I do,” I replied, looking over at my mother, who was burning a hole in my face.
“And how do you know that, Messiah?”
“Because she’s my first thought in the morning, and the last before I lay down at night.
She always had to be tough because that’s who her father made her out to be.
She’s never had a chance to just be a girl.
A chance to be soft, nurturing, and know love from a different aspect.
I want to give her that, Mama. She deserves it, even if I do have to keep this secret from her.
“It’s going to hurt her, for sure. But I’m hoping that she won’t try to find out who put the play down to have her uncle executed.”
“She’s a hired assassin, Messiah. Do you really think she isn’t going to want to avenge his death?”
“Then I’ll take my chances on what will happen after that. Just take care of my son, Ma. Make sure he remembers that his father was a legend.”
“Stop talking like that, Messiah. I’d kill that girl myself if something happens to you.”
I chuckled. “Don’t. Just leave it be.”
“All of this for love, huh? Did your father and I not give you enough? I know with us having five kids, some of you would feel neglected in a way… Is that why?”
I laughed again. “Chill, woman. None of us ever lacked love from y’all. I just want to be with her and be everything she needs.”
“Love is blind, son. Remember that… and sex clouds judgment.”
My phone buzzed with a text from Arieana.
Juicy:
Meet me out back in the shed.
I smiled again. “I hear you, beautiful. Go have fun. I’m going to check on my lady.” I stood from my seat, grabbing my drink.
“Messiah…”
“It’s cool, Ma. I promise.” I kissed her cheek, then headed out of the ballroom.
When I made it out back, I saw the shed. She was standing in the doorway, looking angelic. A smirk lifted on her face as I approached her, and she wrapped her arms around my neck.
“Why you out here, Juice?” I asked her, planting a kiss on her forehead.
“It was getting crowded in there. I don’t do crowds.”
“You own a whole nightclub, mama. You’re around crowds all the time.”
“Now you know I be in my office, camera watching.”
I chuckled. “What’s wrong?”
She looked up at me, then grabbed my hand, pulling me further inside the shed and closing the door.
From the decor and studio equipment in the back, I could tell that the shed was used to take private photos.
She led me to the antique couch, and we sat down.
She looked up at me, and I knew she wanted to say something, but didn’t know how to say it.
“Spill it, Juice.”
“I love you,” she blurted out as her eyes closed tightly.
“I know it seems fast, and I’ve been questioning myself if I should just tell you.
Seeing Paige and Harvey get married made me see that there is beauty in loving someone.
I want to get to that point with you. To wake up every morning to you and make breakfast for you.
For you to shower me with love, gifts, and great sex.
I just hope that I’m not in this alone.”
I lifted her chin to look at me and saw her eyes misting. I pecked her lips a few times before taking her hand and placing it on my heart.
Taking a breath, I opened my mouth and let my words pour out.
“I thought I was trippin’ when that first jolt hit my chest. That night you invited me to your crib, something started to shift inside of me.
I wanted to give you everything you’ve been missing and so much more because a beautiful woman not being able to see the beauty that lies inside her is an injustice.
“Arie, I loved you first, mama. And I’m mad you took my damn shine because I wanted to say it first.” We laughed, her quickly catching the three tears that escaped her lids. “But for you to say it first means I did something right. I got to the heart of a savage.”
“Don’t hurt me, Messiah. Please… I won’t be able to take it.”
“I’ll never do anything to purposely hurt you, Juice. In the event that I make a mistake, please know it wasn’t intentional and that I’ll do whatever it takes to fix it.”
We stared into each other’s eyes for a long moment before she lifted her dress and straddled me.
I took a gulp of the liquor, then handed her the rest as I planted kisses on her neck and chest. She swallowed the rest of the brown substance and slid the straps of her dress down, along with her strapless bra, exposing her beautiful breasts.
I captured one in my mouth while she moaned and ground her sex on me.
Before I knew it, she was riding me until I came deep inside of her. I couldn’t let what the fuck her uncle and my father had going on ruin this for us. I loved this woman, and I knew after tonight, I had to call off the hit.
It wasn’t worth the risk.
She wasn’t worth losing.