Chapter 9 #2
“I’m not buying whatever you're selling, Truce. I feel like you only showed interest in me and kissed me because your brother put my ass on a platter for you.”
“I’m not going to try to convince you of anything, Jela. I’d rather show you who I am instead.”
“I don’t know… I have to go. I’m not feeling good today. I only came to get my baby and go.” She placed Chunks on the bed and began packing her bag.
I slipped her phone from the dresser, putting my number inside, then handed it to her. “Think about it for me, okay? I’m staying at the Renaissance now. Should you decide to come, call me, and I’ll have a car come for you and Chunks.”
She didn’t respond, and I didn’t expect her to as I left the room.
I knew I was crossing the line with her, but I couldn’t deny that four days ago, I became enamored by the beautiful, broken empress.
I couldn’t stop myself from getting involved in whatever was happening between her and Damien.
Seeing her tears, again today, ignited the empathy in me, making it a priority to put her on my agenda.
I was determined to see Jela happy. She’d shown me a glimpse when we went to Go-Time.
I wasn't trying to be with Jela beyond a cordial friendship, but I did want to give her peace where I knew she needed it. I knew my pursuit would put my brother and me at odds, but her having no one here to protect her or someone for her to confide in made my decision to choose her happiness over my brother’s easy.
Was it fucked up? Yes.
But with the way Dame was moving, I saw our relationship dwindling, and I prayed this decision wouldn't be the end of us as brothers for good.
I hugged and kissed my moms goodbye and stepped out onto the porch with Neveah trailing behind me.
Jela had left hours ago with Chunks, but I saw her and Neveah talking and hugging before she left.
Throughout dinner, I hoped she would text or call me to take me up on my offer, but of course, my phone was dry. I expected it, though.
Now, I was heading back to my room to shower and get some sleep before my meeting in the morning with my team to brief them before the grand opening.
With Christmas being around the corner, I wanted to make sure everyone was prepared before sending them off to enjoy their holiday.
I was stepping into a new season of my career, so the people I chose had to be ready to work just as hard as me, if not more.
“What’s up, Nev?” I asked, turning to her once we made it outside.
“Can we get in your truck? It’s cold as hell.”
I chuckled. “My bad. Come on.” I walked her over to my truck, helped her inside, and then got inside, turning the engine over. “Talk to me,” I told her, turning the heat on and warming the seats.
“I’m not telling you this to upset you or for you to confront Damien. So, keep this to yourself. Like… don’t even mention it to Jela, if you happen to be in her space again.”
“I got you, Cuz.”
“Okay… Jela had a miscarriage. I had to take her to the hospital because Dame basically disregarded why she was bleeding a river on their couch. I know you want me to move in with them, but I really don’t think that shit is going to work.
She needs to get out of that house, immediately.
If she don’t, I’m afraid he’s either going to kill her or she’s going to kill herself. ”
I sat pulling at the hair on my chin, contemplating whether I should beat my brother’s ass or try to talk some sense into him. This wasn’t about Jela per se, but she absolutely played a part in the way I was feeling.
I couldn’t account for or explain exactly where the enormous sense of protecting her came from, but within the last seventy-two hours, my mind kept wandering to the beautiful dancer from Detroit.
I had never been this conflicted about helping someone in my life—it’s the reason I was so hot, then cold about her situation with my brother.
While I was trying to fight my attraction to her, the image of those sorrowful eyes kept replaying like a soundtrack in my mind.
This shit was ridiculous. This shit wasn’t my business.
I didn’t think coming home would be this damn complicated.
Now hearing that she was pregnant and lost the baby, I just knew she was going to break soon.
“I gave her my number to call me if she wants to leave him, but I doubt she will use it. Just keep an eye on her for me. If she calls, then you can abort the mission. If she doesn’t, just make sure she’s good.”
“I will. But can I ask you something?”
“What?”
“Why do you care so much? You’ve only been here for three days, and already you’re so invested in her.”
“Ask God, Nev. I can’t sit back and watch Dame destroy her. Her spirit is heavy, and I want to remedy that.”
Neveah was quiet for a minute before she nodded. “Just be careful, Tucci. Damien ain’t wrapped too tight. I don’t want this to be a remake of Cain and Abel.”
“I ain’t worried about him doing shit to me. I’m only concerned about what he’ll do to her for fucking with me.”
My phone went off, and seeing an unknown number flash across my screen had me answering quickly. “Truce Stone.” The line was silent until I heard baby talk coming through the line. “Jela?”
“Y-yeah. It’s me… I want to come with you, Truce, but I’m afraid of what will happen if I do.”
“You don’t have to be afraid, Jela. I promise, I got you.”
“You can’t promise me that. You don’t even know me. I don’t know what I was thinking, calling you. I have to go.”
“Don’t hang up. Please… Don’t hang up. Just hear me out.
” I sighed before doing my best to convince her.
“I’m only extending this opportunity tonight.
If you choose to stay, I can’t help you, and I have to let you do what you think is best for you moving forward.
I’m already betraying my family because I know this shit can and will get ugly, but you have my niece, and she needs her mother, Jela. Think about her, shorty.”
The line was silent again before I heard her sigh into the phone. “And this isn’t some game you’re playing?” she asked. I could hear the tears in her voice.
“I’m not a man who plays games, Jela, and I’m not a man of many words to keep repeating myself. I like to exhibit actions. Come with me, and you’ll see for yourself.”
“Fine.”
“Yeah?”
“Yes. But you can’t come pick me up. I think I have enough for an Uber. Just send me the address to the hotel.”
“Nah. I’ll have Neveah come get you.”
“Okay… He won’t be home tonight because Sundays are his long days, so I’ll be waiting.”
“I got you… I promise.”
“You shouldn’t make promises you’re not sure you’re going to keep.”
“You will see.”
I hung up and placed my phone in the cup holder. I looked over at Neveah, and she was already staring at me.
“What?”
“Nothing. I just know that this is going to be messy. I hope you know what you’re doing, Truce.”
“I got this. Just go grab her and bring her back to my hotel. I’ll handle everything else from there.”
“You’re a good man, Tucci. It just sucks that she has to be the one you’re saving.”
“Every Superwoman needs a Superman, and every villain has a downfall. Let’s just pray she doesn’t become my kryptonite.”