Chapter 18
My Chunks was worn out.
As I looked down at her lying on my lap, mouth agape with slob dripping down the side of her cheek, I couldn’t help but chuckle. Her once neat bun was now a head full of soft curls all over her head.
“She played herself out today,” Mrs. Draya said, laughing as well.
“Yeah, she did. Where's Mr. Al at?”
“Getting the car warmed up for us to head on home.”
“Oh, okay. I had fun with him. He’s funny as hell.”
“It’s one of the things I admire most about him.” She smiled. “I want to ask you something.”
“Of course.”
“Is this thing with you and Jela serious?”
“In terms of what? Because I’m a very serious person, in general.”
“In terms of you sleeping with my daughter and giving her all of these gifts, spoiling my grandbaby, and giving her money. What does all this mean?”
I knew why she was asking. I could see the untrusting look she was giving me and hear the skepticism in her voice. My brother took her daughter away from her and mistreated her, so I knew that by being related to him, she didn’t know what my angle was.
I didn’t have one.
Never would.
“I care about your daughter, Mrs. Draya. I can assure you that I’m nothing like my brother. I don’t have any hidden agendas. I have your daughter’s best interests at heart, and I’m going to make sure she’s safe and protected at all times.”
She pursed her lips and nodded. “And how does your brother feel about this?”
“He isn't aware that Jela is in my presence, and he never will as long as I can help it.”
“You’ll have to forgive me if I’m a little pessimistic about your feelings for my daughter.
She fell hard and fast for your brother as well.
He treated her like glass all the way up until she got pregnant.
Then he broke her. He started being controlling and manipulative, putting things in her head to make her believe we were against their relationship.
I hated it. You being his brother… I just need to know if you’re her new beginning or her alternate ending in this peculiar story. ”
“I understand. You have nothing to worry about when it comes to how I feel about Jela. I’m not here to harm her.
The moment I saw her, my protective mode activated.
I didn’t know what Damien was doing to her, but I knew he was doing something.
I didn’t want to think he was harming her, but the signs were there…
“Our mother has a similar story of domestic violence, and it triggers me when I see it being done to anyone I love or care about. I know I can’t save everybody, but if I can prevent it from happening to anyone in my proximity, then I’m going to be sure it won't happen again.”
“I hear you, Truce, and I feel your genuine energy. Just promise me you will keep her safe.”
“I promise to do all I can.”
She smiled at me just as Alex walked back into the room. “All right, babe. Car’s all warmed up for you. It was cool hanging out with you, Truce. I look forward to our fishing trip soon.” I stood with Chunks secured over my shoulder. Lil’ Mama was cake-wasted.
I held my hand out to Alex for a shake, and he accepted. “A’ight, Big Al. I’m looking forward to it as well. Goodnight, Mrs. Draya,” I said, kissing her cheek.
“Goodnight, Truce. Goodnight, Sweet Pea.” She kissed chunk’s head as I walked them to the door. “Tell that daughter of mine to call me tomorrow.”
“Will do.”
They left out just as Jasmine and Jela’s friends came through the basement door, damn near falling all over each other.
“I sure hope one of you is sober enough to drive,” I said, watching them stagger toward the den where the babies were laid out with their gear on. Mrs. Draya made sure she packed them up when Jela texted and said they were ready to go.
“That would be me,” Amber said, holding up her hand.
“You sure? Let me see your eyes.”
She giggled. “I promise… I only had two shots. I hate that I have to be the designated driver but next time, I’m going to be the one getting lit.”
“Next time ain't gon’ be no kids! We turning the fuck up!” Marcy exclaimed. They all laughed as I looked for the lady of the house.
“Where’s Jela?”
“Oh, she’s straightening up downstairs. Take care of my girl, Mr. Truce. Ion wanna have to fuck you up, Smokey!” Iyana made a fist at me while she walked past me with her son perched over her shoulder.
I chuckled. “Ion want no smoke.”
I bid them a goodnight and watched them to their cars before closing the door and locking down the house.
I took Chunks upstairs to her temporary bedroom.
I made sure to put the mattress on the floor the last time I was here, just in case she happened to wake up in the middle of the night.
I didn’t want her to fall off the bed and hurt herself.
I made a mental note to tell Jela to start purchasing her some things for her room.
Once I knew she was secured, I grabbed the baby monitor and went to find Jela.
I had been feening for some alone time with her since I got here.
I traveled down the stairs until I got to the basement, noticing her sitting at the bar, rocking to the Jodeci track. I walked up behind her, planting my palms on the bar to lock her in, and gave her neck a gentle kiss.
“Mmmm… Hey, you,” she slurred slightly.
“Hey, you. Are you drunk?”
“Just a lil’ bit.” She chortled.
She spun the stool around, cupping my face in her hand, and then smashed her lips into mine.
I slid my tongue into her mouth, tasting the tequila on her tongue.
I snatched her from the stool and set her on top of the bar, slipping her shirt over her head and kissing her neck while undoing her bra.
Her breath became heavy while I looked up at her.
Her soft curls fell in her face with passion and lust dancing in her eyes.
She was so exquisite—a fucking masterpiece.
When she subtly bit her bottom lip, I knew she was ready. I yanked her leggings and panties off in one swift motion, then got down on my knees, placing her feet on my shoulders and pulling her hips toward me. I latched on to her bud and sucked as a soft whimper escaped her.
“Truce…” she called out, but I continued to feast on her.
Jela’s pussy was becoming my addiction. I could already see myself overdosing on her as Tank’s “Fuckin’ Wit Me” propelled me to bring Jela her first orgasm.
“Shit, baby!” she yelled, pushing her feet into my shoulders while lifting and rolling her hips.
She danced on my face, feeding me her deliciously seasoned pussy. I dragged my tongue from her pussy to her asshole, inserted my ring and middle finger inside of her while simultaneously rubbing her clit with my thumb.
“Ahhh, gahh!”
Her legs trembled, and I felt her pussy throb over my fingers.
I lifted from the floor, and she attacked my mouth while ripping at my clothes.
I helped her pull down my pants, and then slid inside of her warm, wet walls.
I knew not using protection was reckless, but I didn’t care about being reckless with Jela.
We had already gone too far; now I was going to go all the way.
“I fucking missed you, baby,” I told her.
“I missed you too.”
“You been playing with this pussy while I was gone?”
“Every niiight. Shit, Truce!”
“Mmhmm… My girl been crying out to me. Don’t worry, daddy’s home now. Show him how much you miss him, baby.”
I licked my thumb, pressing it to her clit and rotating it while slowly winding my hips.
That seemed to drive her crazy as she fucked me back.
Her body fell onto the bar top, and I grabbed her right tit, pinching her nipples while I plowed into her, showing no mercy.
I lifted her, and she clung to me while I helped her bounce on my dick.
Jela was giving porn star vibes the way she fucked me back and held on to me while looking into my eyes.
I was lost in her beautiful eyes, but I didn’t need a compass to find my way back.
I didn’t know if it was because she had been drinking or not but this time was different.
This time, she was showing out on the dick and doing shit to me that had me thinking of what to do for her next.
A new bag?
A jet?
A fucking ring?
Yeah, she had my head now, and I wasn’t letting up on her any time soon.
I grunted. “Shit, baby! I’m ’bout to nut.”
“Let me catch it.”
I let her down, and she got on her knees, taking me into her mouth.
My hands went to her hair while she sucked and slurped me until I was shooting off in her mouth.
My eyes closed, mouth fell agape, and knees grew weak.
I had to hold on to the edge of the bar to regain my balance as I looked down at her tongue kissing the tip.
I had no clue how I was going to stay away from her after this. I was officially locked the fuck in.
After our session in the basement, I took Jela upstairs.
We showered together, then got into my bed.
She drifted off to sleep while I lay awake with a million thoughts running through my mind.
As much as I didn’t want to think about my brother, I couldn’t overlook the fact that my best friend was going to kill him.
The nigga was doing too much for no reason, and it was fucking with me to know he was about to die, and I could do nothing about it.
It wasn’t lost upon me that Dame could very well come out as the victor in this war he started, but then I’d be grieving my best friend, who was also my brother. It was a conundrum, and I couldn’t do shit about it.
Then there was Jela.
Our Achilles’ heel.
She walked into that living room on Thanksgiving, and I’d been vulnerable to her presence ever since.
I wanted this with her. I had never fallen for someone so quickly in all my years on this Earth.
Not even Melody got me to fall for her, even after being with her for a whole year.
I had love for her, but I wasn’t in love with her.
Now I knew why.
Melody wasn't my person. Where I tried to see the life I wanted in her, I could never find a reason to want to truly lock in on her.
Maybe that was the reason she strayed and fucked my brother.
Maybe I wasn't giving her enough, but she wasn’t showing me enough to go all in.
I liked her. I even loved her, but there was never a time when I longed to be with her when we weren't together.
Miss Jela did that to me.
In under four weeks, I saw a future with her. I was always one of those people who never believed in love at first sight. I wasn't in love with Jela, but she had the potential to make me fall—hard and fast.
I kissed her forehead, then slid from beneath her.
I slipped on my briefs and a T-shirt, slipped on my house shoes, and headed out of the room to my office.
I sat at my desk and powered on my laptop and booked us flights to South Carolina.
I wanted Jela to meet my dad’s side of the family and to spend Christmas with me.
I hoped she wouldn't protest, considering she hadn't seen her mom and sister in a year, but if I had to, I’d book their flights as well.
We needed a vacation before I had to leave her and Chunks again, which I was already regretting.
Once the flights were secured, I picked up my phone and went to my contacts. My thumb hovered over Damien’s name, trying to figure out what to say to him to make him stand down from this fight. I let out a deep breath, then hit the button. His phone rang three times before he answered.
“I hope you’re calling to tell me you’re on the way with my bitch,” he said as soon as he picked up.
“I don’t know where your lady is, bruh.”
Because mine is in my bed.
“Bullshit. I ain't caught up to Neveah’s ass yet, but I promise her ass gon’ get hers too.”
“What is it with you threatening and putting your hands on women? Do you think that makes you a fuckin’ man or something?”
“More man than your pretty boy ass. You better get on the line and warn ya tack-head-ass cousin to tell me where she is. I’m telling you now, if either one of y’all hiding her, it’s over for all of you motherfuckas. Believe that.”
“You’re not the threat you think you are, Dame. You don’t scare me, and ya little goon squad don’t scare me either. I called to ask you to stand down from this fight with Law and to let Jela go. Neither situation will benefit you in the end.”
“So, you do have her?” He chuckled menacingly.
“You made me miss my baby’s birthday because you want to play Captain Save-a-Ho!
My own flesh and blood would rather betray me than stand with me.
I knew you wasn’t shit while we were growing up.
My pops was right about you… You always thought you were better than me…
when really, you’re just a pussy-ass fuck nigga!
You, Law, Neveah, and Jela better count y’all fuckin’ days!
It’s about to be a lot of slow singing and flower bringing. Bitch-ass nigga!”
The three beeps in my ear let me know that he had hung up. I placed my phone down and said a quick prayer for my brother and what I was going to have to do when we saw each other again.