Chapter 22
MYA
“Well got damn! It’s about time you made it back to Big City Nome!”
I giggled at Maui’s foolishness. She rubbed my belly then hugged me. I supposed word had gotten around. Christian’s mother and his aunt Jenahra were planning a gender reveal for next month, and I couldn’t wait. It had been a couple of weeks since Christian and I had reunited. After my doctor’s appointment, we spent time alone at my place, soaking up each other’s energy for an entire week.
I couldn’t believe he’d taken off work for an entire week to make sure I was good. According to him, he was there to give me inspiration to write the next story. If he only knew just how inspired I was. He’d bought all those books but hadn’t even finished the first one. He didn’t come across as a reader to me, but it was sweet of him to purchase them all, showing his support of my craft.
Being around him every day was something I knew I could get used to. I probably already was. I would know as soon as we had to be apart. Christian was funny, caring, sweet, and passionate. I couldn’t wait to feel that passion tonight once we left his brother’s house.
Maui grabbed my hand and took me to the kitchen, where I noticed the infamous twins were seated. They didn’t smile at all… just stared at me like they’d never seen me before. “Dee and Dum, this is Mya, Christian’s boo,” Maui said.
They shot her the finger simultaneously, and one of them mumbled, “Bitch.”
Apparently, it was an inside joke I had no knowledge of, but Maui clued me in. “Daddy Mayor used to call them Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum. I was their friend, Alice. Our brother, SS, was the rabbit.”
She giggled as she shook her head. “Mya, that’s Bali, the one who called me a bitch, and that’s Noni. They aren’t all that friendly, so don’t take it personally, but you probably remember that from the FaceTime a month ago. They have to warm up around you first.”
I nodded. “Sounds like my type of carrying on. I love your dad.”
“Yeah, you definitely with the shits if you love my daddy.”
Surprisingly, the one introduced to me as Bali stood from her seat and extended her hand. She still wasn’t smiling, but I accepted the gesture and shook it. Noni had gone back to her phone like I wasn’t standing there. They seemed to be worse than their father. Like Maui said, I didn’t take it personally. However, I wouldn’t be in their face trying to talk to them either. I didn’t beg for nobody’s attention. As I went to the stove to see what Angel and Ashanni were preparing, a cousin I hadn’t met grabbed my hand.
I turned to look at her and reciprocated her smile. “Hi, Mya. I’m Karima, KJ’s sister.”
My eyebrows lifted slightly. I knew she was the one who Christian had confided in. I pulled her away from everyone and threw my arms around her. She was a beautiful woman. Her natural coils caught my attention first. When I pulled away from her, I wiped the couple of tears that fell down my cheeks.
“Thank you for pouring into him. I wish I would have been wise and strong enough to do it.”
“That doesn’t matter. We can only do what we can. It was wise to let him know you couldn’t. That took a lot of courage.”
I smiled at her. “How old are you? You don’t look any older than me, but you have the wisdom of a woman twice our ages.”
“I’m twenty-eight,” she said then giggled. “I never really had a lot of friends, so I hung around the older folk, especially Aunt Tiffany. Plus, despite the things my parents went through, they taught us a lot as well. It doesn’t seem like my youngest brother, Kane, has learned anything, but time will tell.”
I chuckled. “How old is he?”
“Nineteen, girl.”
“Oh, he has time. He’s young.”
“Yeah, he does.”
“Oh shit! We gotta go!” someone yelled.
I turned to see KJ, Rylan, my baby, and Jacob running out of the house, and I panicked… panicked my ass right into an anxiety attack. Christian came to me and wrapped me in his arms for a minute as Karima asked, “What’s going on? What happened?”
I lifted my head to see the women running to their cars. “SS got arrested.”
I remembered Maui had just said SS was her brother. My mouth opened slightly as I tried to wait to see why. Christian gently turned my chin. “Come on, baby. The whole family is going to see about him.”
“What… what happened?”
He swallowed hard then helped me into his Escalade without a word. I knew Mister Mayor was about to tear some shit up. The twins looked like Tasmanian devils leaving out of that house.
When Christian got into the driver’s seat, he said, “He got arrested for murder. He killed some white boy. Courtney was with the white guy but got away. He would have killed her ass too. They were trying to rob him but didn’t know who they were fucking with.”
“Oh shit. A black man killing a white man. This is going to be an uphill battle.”
“Yep, but it ain’t one the Hendersons gon’ take lying down. He fucked that boy up. Shot him in the chest with his hunting rifle.”
“So where are we going?”
“Honestly, I’m assuming the courthouse. I’m sure they already got a lawyer or two. Sidney Taylor and Shyrón Berotte are already on contract with us. Sidney is a defense attorney though.”
“I’ve heard of her. She’s a legend.”
“Yeah. I just hope it’s something we can get him out of. Fuck! You realize that could have been my ass? I would have killed Courtney. She knows the family and probably knew exactly who SS was. The nigga got Henderson Ranch and Farms on the back glass of his truck. I’m willing to bet she targeted his ass. SS looks soft, but they fucked around and found out.”
“God. How old is he?”
“Seventeen or eighteen. Something like that.”
“Damn. I know Mister Mayor is probably about to lose it on somebody.”
“Yeah. When Jakari called and said that shit, my mouth hit the floor. I don’t know how that would have gone down with any of us. Somebody still would have gotten killed, because we all pack heat. I wonder if the guy was armed. If he was unarmed, this may not be good no way you look at it.”
I watched him slide his hand over his waves. He was so nervous. I had never met SS officially, but I was nervous too. I couldn’t believe this had all happened. We were about to have an amazing time at Rylan’s, and I was planning to play with the baby. I slowly shook my head as Christian’s phone rang. He answered it through his Bluetooth.
“What’s up?”
“We turning around and going to Uncle Storm’s house. They’re holding him until morning.”
“A’ight, J.”
He ended the call and said, “Well, I guess we’ll find out more in a few.”
I nodded as he made a legal U-turn on Highway 90, heading back to Nome. I watched the caravan of cars blow by us as his phone rang again. “Yeah, J?”
“Change of plans. We’re going to the family barn.”
“Okay.”
I frowned slightly. “Family barn?”
Christian smiled slightly. “It’s like an event hall, but it’s a barndominium.”
“Oh, okay. I’ve seen those. They’re nice.”
“Mm hmm. I’m sorry all this shit went down and messed up our good time. If we’re going to the barn, I’m sure the family will be cooking. I know you’re hungry.”
“You don’t have to apologize, baby. This was out of your control, and I surely don’t blame you for wanting to see about your family.”
He reached over and grabbed my hand as we rode the rest of the way in silence. When we got to the family barn, there were cars everywhere. Before Christian could get out to open my door, his older brother, Jakari, opened it. I nodded my head at him, and he did the same. “Thank you, Jakari.”
“No problem.”
He didn’t come off as the friendly type either, but I knew it was because he was in big brother protective mode. Plus, as Christian had said, Janay was his sister-in-law. I just wondered if they were being hard on her with who she dated after Christian. They’d cheated on each other. Christian really didn’t seem like the type to cheat to me. I knew the distance had played a big part, but it seemed like he would just break up with her first.
Whatever the situation, it happened before me. The man he was showing me he was today was the man I was in love with. When he told me he loved me, I could have melted to the floor. I could feel just how sincere he was. Everything he said he wanted in my hospital room was exactly what we had. I couldn’t be more grateful for the patience he claimed he lacked and his determination to make me his.
Christian met Jakari and me on my side of the vehicle, and they shook hands. They stared at one another for a second, then they hugged. I supposed they were just making up for the shit that happened nearly a month ago. If they were, both their asses were stubborn as hell. This situation with SS had probably shown them that things could happen to take them away from each other in the blink of an eye.
Christian grabbed my hand, and we all walked inside the barn to see Mister Mayor pacing back and forth and a few other people crying. Christian released my hand as his uncles did their best to calm Storm down. “I’m gonna go over there with the men.”
I nodded and looked around to see Maui lying on Ashanni’s shoulder, crying her eyes out. The twins were in a corner with Jacob and Jessica. Everyone seemed distraught, and I could imagine. I wondered if this was the first time anybody in the family had gotten into trouble. As I stood, surveying the room, trying to figure out where I would go, a hand rested on my shoulder.
I looked over to see Karima. I smiled at her and followed her to a table. She was seated with Nesha, Angel, and a couple of other ladies. When we got to the table, she said, “Mya, this is Aunt Syn. She’s Uncle Marcus’s wife. This is Tyeis. She’s Angel’s mom.”
I nodded at the ladies as they did the same with smiles on their faces. I assumed they knew who I was since she didn’t tell them during the introduction. I glanced at Syn. She was a beautiful woman. I recognized her name though. She was Christian’s aunt on his father’s side of the family and his father’s first victim.
“So what are they saying?” a lady asked that walked up.
She looked a lot like Syn… just older. “The man had a knife and had lunged at SS. That was why he shot him. Mama, I’m so nervous. I feel like I’m gonna throw up any minute.”
“Calm down, Syn. It’s not good for the baby.”
“Baby? Aunt Syn, you’re pregnant?” Karima asked.
“Yeah. I don’t know how the fuck Marcus’s soldiers bypassed that fucking birth control, but they did.”
She rolled her eyes as her mother rubbed her back. “So we’re pregnant together?” Nesha asked then looked over at me. “Our kids will be playmates!”
I chuckled and rubbed my belly. When I noticed a woman and a man walk in and go to the group of men, I turned toward their direction. I realized everyone else did as well. “Aspen!” Storm yelled.
She came from the kitchen and made her way to him. She slid her arms around his waist as he wiped her tears. I had to assume that was his wife. The lady started talking, but Storm interrupted her. “Sidney and Shy are going to tell us what we’re looking at.”
Christian came and sat next to me as Sidney began speaking. “From what it looks like, the judge will set bail in the morning. They want to be an ass about things since the guy Seven killed comes from a prominent family as well. The case is clear. Jeff McAlister and Courtney Spivey were trying to rob Mister Henderson. He stood his ground and grabbed his rifle. I truly believe that Mister McAlister didn’t think Seven would shoot him.”
“Is Courtney in custody?” Christian asked with a deep frown on his face.
“Yes, sir. She was too high to effectively provide details, but she somewhat corroborated Seven’s story about him getting robbed. She’ll be getting questioned again in the morning as well. Because of the circumstances and your family’s prominence as well, Seven’s name has been kept from the media for right now. While the story broke earlier, no names have been released.”
That attested to just how powerful the Hendersons were. The perp’s name was usually released immediately upon arrest. I grabbed Christian’s hand and could feel it tremble. The other attorney spoke up.
“Another thing working in Mister Henderson’s favor is the fact that he called nine-one-one after the shooting, to report what happened. He reported it as self-defense, but the call he placed, we could hear the emotion in his voice. It almost sounded as if he was panicking. When we got there, he seemed to be confident in his innocence but remorseful as well.”
Everyone nodded. “So you’re saying my grandson will most likely be let go?”
“We’re saying that he has a very strong case. I will pull footage from a nearby camera at a convenience store and any other cameras I can find to corroborate Seven’s story. If he acted in self-defense, we should be in the clear. However, we just want to concentrate on getting him home tomorrow. Being that he has never been in trouble, it’s highly likely bail will be set,” Sidney said, responding to their grandfather.
When Sidney was done talking, she turned to Storm and his wife, and everyone else conversed amongst themselves. Christian wrapped his arm around me and kissed my head. “Mama, Aunt Jenahra, Aunt Tiff, Aunt Keisha, Aunt Chas, and Aunt Liv are in the kitchen making chili. Mama said it’s almost done. If you want a piece of cornbread, I think I can convince them to give you a piece.”
I smiled at him. “Please? I feel like I’m about to starve to death.”
He stood from his seat. “Say less, baby.”
“Get me one too,” Nesha said.
“And me too,” Syn added.
He frowned slightly, and when realization hit him about Syn, he said, “Damn. They said shit come in threes. They ain’t lie.”
I giggled as I turned to talk to the women at the table. Although we were somewhat down about the situation with SS, it was still good being around their family… my family.
“Oooooh shiiiiit!” I yelled as I came on Christian’s dick.
We had just gotten back to his place from the family barn, and he refused to go to sleep until he could get reacquainted with my insides. His words, not mine. It had been a month since I’d been able to feel his love. I felt it long before he said it. He stroked me slowly as he went up on his knees and lifted my hips to take a look at the action.
“Damn, Mya. Fuck!”
He kept his pace steady as he bent back over and kissed my shoulders one at a time and gripped my hip. This position would be a thing of the past within a few weeks. I was on my stomach, letting him slow stroke me from the back, and the shit was so damn good. I felt like I was speaking in tongues. I couldn’t understand a word falling from my lips.
“Christian… God… fuck!”
“Mm hmm. I feel that shit too, baby,” he said in my ear. “Move in with me, Mya. Move to Nome, baby. I need to be able to see you whenever I want. I need you close.”
If my heart softened any more, it would leak out with the orgasm that was brewing. “Baby… whatever you need from me… you got that shit. You… got it!”
I leaked all over the bed. It felt like a damn waterfall. My eyes had rolled to the back of my head, and my nipples rubbing against the sheets made it even more intense.
“Fuck! I needed this shit. I always need it, Mya. I love you, baby.”
“I… love you… too. I need you, Christian.”
“You got me… all of me. Yo’ sexy ass.”
His compliments always set my body ablaze, especially when we were making love. I loved when he fucked me, but his lovemaking was premium. Christian had dick for days, giving long strokes a whole new meaning. Besides that, he was incredibly sexy. He could make me cum from staring at me too long. I’d hit the fucking jackpot when I met him. Not even financially. Emotionally, he was the only man that had ever had me soft as a room-temperature stick of butter.
“Mya, I’m finna nut, baby. Oooooh fuck!”
He gripped my hip even tighter as he released inside of me. After his orgasm had passed, he slid to my side and pulled me to him. “We can shower in the morning. I’m gon’ tap this shit again anyway.”
I smiled slightly as I tooted my ass against his dick. A slow grin spread across my lips as I felt him hardening again. There was no way he would make it ’til morning. Before I could even acknowledge what I was doing to him, he slid right back inside of me.
“Fucking nympho,” he said under his breath. “That’s okay. I’m finna turn this shit inside out. No more slow fucking. I’m ’bout to make yo’ ass tap out.”
“Damn, baby. Please do. Knock me the fuck out.”