Chapter 11 #2
“Took y’all long enough. Daddy’s damn near toasted because he fell in love with the bottle of liquor Asim had waiting on him. If he acts up, it’s your fault.” Bre was the first to us.
“Wait, Daddy’s here?” Ky frowned at her sister then me.
“That’s why they didn’t call you back. I flew them in to surprise you. You’re welcome, brat.”
“Technically, I worked that out. He just paid. I hooked all this up on his dime. You like it?”
Kyori looked around grinning. “I do, it’s perfect. Thank you.” She was on me with her arms secured behind my back.
“Well damn. I see what money gets you,” Bre joked. I kissed Ky on the forehead and gave my attention to her sister.
“You get props for spending my money.”
After cuffing the sides of Ky’s face, I handed over one last kiss. “Now go enjoy. You have about two hours tops and we’re out of here.”
“Wait, we’re leaving?”
“Yes, I have one last surprise for you but it’s not here.” I winked as Bre draped her arm around Ky, pulling her along as she glanced over her shoulder rolling her eyes at me.
“Show off.”
“For her, absolutely.”
While Kyori made rounds, I greeted the small crowd then posted up at the bar. Her father found me not long after, offering a firm hand on my shoulder.
“This is pretty fancy.” His smile was wide but his eyes were low. I could tell he’d had a few.
“It is, but she’s worth it.”
He chuckled and nodded. “Indeed. Just be careful. How you start is how you need to finish and that one is going to hold you to this standard.”
“I’m well aware but I think I can handle it. You guys all settled in?”
“We are. I appreciate the flight and the accommodations. It wasn’t necessary but it’s appreciated.”
I offered him a nod of approval before my eyes fell on Ky who was in the middle of the makeshift dance floor doing a little too much surrounded by Learah, Bre, and a few other women I didn’t know but assumed were associates or wives and girlfriends of my team.
We kept the guest list simple for a reason, and as long as my baby was happy, then I felt complete.
“I hate that we’re not going to get to spend time with you but our flight leaves in a few hours.”
“I understand.” His eyes followed the path mine had taken. “You all set with your plans?”
Inhaling deeply, I released it slowly before gripping the back of my neck. He looked my way and smirked.
“You’re not changing your mind, are you?”
My laugh was unavoidable. “Nah, not at all, but your daughter is unpredictable as hell. She might actually tell me no.”
We both had our eyes on her again when he smiled, noticing she was watching us. “She won’t. You see that?”
He motioned to her with a slight nod. “That’s a stubborn ass woman in love.
” Then his regard landed on me. “You just make sure the sentiment is returned and you two will be okay. I don’t know you personally, but from what Bre’s told me and from what I see, I feel like she’s in good hands. Don’t make me regret that.”
“Never.” I looked him right in his eyes with an unwavering confidence that had him smiling while offering another firm hand on my shoulder.
“Alright, then. Looks like it’s welcome to the family, son.”
He extended a hand which I shook before he pulled me into a hug then walked off to greet his daughter. Amir joined me after he was gone.
“So y’all just gonna hop on a plane without us?” He lifted his glass, finishing the contents before he turned and placed it on the bar.
“I need your permission for that?”
When I looked down, he smirked. “You’re grown, so no, but I’m just saying. Maybe we wanted to tag along too?”
“Plan your own shit. You’re grown too, Mir.”
He laughed, dragging his hand down his face. “I can do that but it’s easier to just tag along with yours. When you popping the question?”
“At some point while we’re there. I haven’t mapped it all out.”
“Damn, you’re really about to get married. That’s some strange shit.”
“It is, but it will be a while. A year or more. We still have a lot to build on.”
I wasn’t rushing and I was sure Kyori wouldn’t be either but I needed her to know how serious I was about us. As tough as she acted from time to time, she needed reassurance. Even if I wasn’t trying to approach the altar today, it would happen eventually, only with Ky.
“You scared she’s gonna leave your ass when all your other exes start popping up. You got lucky with Brielle.” Amir chuckled and I shook my head, looking at Ky who was off to the side in an animated conversation with her parents.
“Nah, that shit doesn’t matter. She knows they never touched what I have with her.”
“You better hope so because that’s a wild one.” Ky and her mother were heading toward us when I found her again. “Speaking of, what happened with her beating down ol’ girl?”
“It’s handled. He’s afraid that we’ll hand over his past with all the other women and she’s afraid of going to jail for forgery. Neither of them are stupid enough to test the theory of how serious I am and Mel is on her shit.”
“Long as she’s not on yours then you’re good.”
I laughed, shaking my head. “I know better, trust me.”
“Know better about what?” Ky tucked her body right under my arm, placing her hand on my chest when she and her mother reached us.
“Disappointing you.” I pressed a kiss to her forehead and addressed her mother. “Mrs. Spencer, I hope you’re enjoying your evening.”
“I am, everything is perfect.”
“Wait, you already know each other?”
“Somebody had to get us from the airport off that fancy jet while you were out with your sister spending this young man’s money,” her mother fussed with a smile, which had Ky’s eyes shooting up to me.
“She’s right. I met your mother and father at the airport and got them settled in their hotel.”
“Our suite. Our very expensive suite which I’m thoroughly enjoying.” She flashed me a smile which had Ky groaning under her breath and mumbling.
“Looks like I’m not the only one spending his money. Well since you know Asim, I’ll introduce you to his brother, or does the whole family already know each other?”
“Nah, we haven’t met.” Amir reached for Mrs. Spencer’s hand, kissing the back of it once he had it in his possession.
“Pleased to meet you.”
“Mmhmm, just as smooth as this one here, I see.”
Amir laughed, shaking his head. “Something like that. Welcome to our city and I hope you enjoy your stay.”
“Thank you. I’m sure we will.”
Amir pulled Ky away from me into a hug. “Happy birthday, sis. I would have gotten you something but I can’t compete with this one so I wasn’t about to try.”
She rolled her eyes and backed away after he kissed her cheek. “You’re right, you can’t, but we’ll call it even since I didn’t get you a present for yours.”
“Aight that works and I won’t even call you on that lie you just told. We both know I’m the catch, not him.” He winked at Ky, then offered her mother a nod and smile before walking away.
“I’m gonna find your father. Thank you again for the getaway and you take care of my baby.” She lowered her chin just a little, offering me a hard stare.
“I assure you, she’s in good hands.”
“Mmmhmm she better be. Or you will have to see me.” I threw my head back and laughed seeing as how she was serious as hell.
“That won’t be necessary but I’m taking it into account.”
Ky’s mother kissed her cheek offering another happy birthday before she left us, heading right to her husband.
“Looks like I owe you big for this one?”
“I’m not keeping score. As long as you’re happy then we’re good.”
“I’m very happy. Even if I can’t trust you anymore.”
“Damn, it’s like that?”
“Hell yeah. You planned a whole party with my sister and plotted with my parents for them to ignore me all day and flew them here behind my back.”
“So you’re penalizing me for making your day perfect?” I lifted one brow and she shrugged.
“Pretty much. Perfect or not, you’ve been moving shady out here in these streets.”
I chuckled, yanking her to me. “I can live with that. It was for a good cause. Now let me go act like I care about somebody other than you so it doesn’t look as rude when I pull you up out of here.”
That put another smile on her face. “Can I get a hint on what’s next?”
“Nope, you’ll know soon enough. Now let’s pretend to be social.” I winked at Ky before we started toward the crowd. As much as I knew she was enjoying her night, I was ready to get out of here and into her, but tonight wasn’t about me, so I would have to be patient. For now!