Obligated

JUSTE

Four Months Later

Shit had been smooth sailing. Business was good—real good. The money was flowing, the books were clean, and the nightclub we were opening was set to launch in two weeks. But the biggest shift? Chiana.

She had officially moved out of her place—on her own damn will—into mine. She had roots here now. And I ain't have to force her to plant them. She still made time for herself, got her independence back, spending some days at the office and meeting up with Amina for brunch whenever she was in town.

From the outside looking in It was almost like I had never kidnapped her at all. Like we had met, dated, built a relationship like regular-ass people. I laughed to myself at the thought as I finished brushing my teeth. I stepped out of the bathroom, stretching my arms, my muscles relaxing as I made my way downstairs. The second I turned the corner, the scent of bacon and butter hit me, drifting through the house. And then I saw her. Standing at the stove, her back to me, her short, fitted leopard-print sleeping dress hugging every curve, those small braids cascading down her back. She had been cooking a lot more lately, taking over the kitchen.

Because seeing her like this, A woman like her, in my house, in my space, making it feel like a home, Yeah. I could get used to this shit. I had gotten used to this shit . I leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, just watching her for a second. She hummed softly to herself as she flipped the bacon, swaying a little on her feet, completely relaxed. Like she belonged here. Like she knew she belonged here. A slow smile pulled at my lips. "I like this shit."

She jumped slightly, her head snapping toward me. "Damn, Juste! Can you not sneak up on me?"

I chuckled, pushing off the frame as I stepped into the kitchen. I slid up behind her, my hands immediately finding her waist, gripping low, just above her ass. I felt her body shudder slightly as I leaned down, my lips brushing against her ear. "You keep makin' breakfast like this, ima have to keep you around."

She rolled her eyes. "You already got me around."

I smirked, gripping her tighter. "Yeah... but I need to make sure you ain't gettin’ no ideas 'bout leavin'."

She scoffed, flipping the bacon, but I could tell she was feeling this. I ran my hand down her hip, my fingers grazing the hem of that short-ass dress, teasing. "You tryna get my coochie cat again already?"

she murmured, still focused on the stove.

I chuckled against her ear. "Maybe. You the one walking around in this lil' ass dress, cookin' for me, hummin' like you happy as hell."

She paused for half a second, then muttered, "Maybe I am."

I stilled. Then, slowly, I smirked. That was new. She wasn't the type to just admit shit like that. I turned her around, making her face me, her body still pressed against the counter. Her big brown eyes looked up at me, her expression unreadable, but I saw the truth there. Saw everything she wasn't saying. I ran my thumb over her bottom lip, my voice dropping. "Say that shit again."

She blinked, her teeth sinking into her lip, but she ain't look away. "...Maybe I am happy."

My chest tightened, something unfamiliar settling in my stomach. I pressed my lips to her forehead, keeping her close. "Good."

Because I'd be damned if she ever had a reason not to be.

My phone rang, cutting through the moment, vibrating against my pocket. I let out a slow breath, pulling it out to check the screen. Ma. I sighed, pressing ignore, setting the phone on the counter like I hadn't just dodged that call for the third time this week. Chiana looked up from the stove, side-eyeing me but not saying nothing. I already knew what it was about. I'd been avoiding Sunday dinners, keeping my distance. I was sure by now Ma knew about me and Chiana—and I also knew she probably wasn't happy about it.

Not because she had a problem with me being with somebody. Nah, that wasn't it. She had a problem with who I was with. She thought relationships weren't good for me after what happened with Troi. And after the first night she met Chiana, When she came to the family party in that black dress looking like a damn dream and a problem at the same time. Yeah. She had made up her mind. I could tell by the way she pursed her lips, by the way she gave Chiana that once-over like she was deciding if she was worthy of being in the room.

Pops had already warned me last week. "Your Ma in her feelings about this shit, boy. She think you ain't thinking straight. Don't be surprised when she start blowin’ you up and poppin’ up on you."

And he wasn't wrong. Because my phone rang again. I silenced it again, running a hand down my face. Chiana turned around, sitting a plate of bacon, eggs, cheese grits, and toast in front of me before leaning against the counter across from me.

"You need to get that?"

Her voice was smooth, unreadable. But I could see it in her eyes—she knew who was calling. I shook my head, picking up a fork. "Nah."

She hummed, crossing her arms. "That your mama?"

I exhaled. "Yeah."

She nodded, not pressing, just watching me as I started eating. But I could tell she was thinking something. And when Chiana was thinking, it usually meant she was about to say some shit. So, I gave her a look. "Go ahead and say whatever the hell on your mind."

She smirked slightly, tilting her head. "I mean... you duckin' your mama now?"

I chuckled, shaking my head. "Man, I ain't duckin' her."

She lifted a brow. "You just declined her call twice."

I smirked, leaning back. "Yeah, well. She bein' dramatic."

Chiana didn't respond immediately, just held my gaze, that sharp mind of hers working through everything at once. Then she exhaled, pushing off the counter. "She don't like me, huh?"

I clenched my jaw slightly. "It ain't even about that."

She gave me a look. "So she don't."

I sighed, setting my fork down. "It's just how she is, baeeby. You walked in that night, lookin' like you did, had every nigga in the room wantin' to risk it all—of course she wasn't gon' be feelin' that shit."

Chiana scoffed, shaking her head. "So because I look good, she don't like me?"

I chuckled, standing up, stepping closer to her. "It's deeper than that."

She didn't move, just crossed her arms tighter. "Explain it to me then."

I sighed, rubbing my chin. "She think relationships make me weak. After what happened with my ex, she think I ain't got no business trusting nobody. And she think you..."

I trailed off, knowing whatever I said next was about to piss her off. Her brows lifted. "Go 'head, say it."

I ran a hand down my face. "She think you got too much attitude for your own good."

Chiana grinned, but I could tell she was irritated. "Oh, that's cute. She think I got attitude? She don’t even know me yet."

I smirked, stepping even closer, my hands sliding to her hips, gripping low. "I told you it wasn't about you."

She rolled her eyes, trying to act like my hands on her body wasn't distracting her. "But it is about me, Juste. Because I'm the one you with."

I nodded, my thumbs rubbing slow circles against her hips. "And that ain't gon' change. So she gon' have to deal with it."

Her lips parted slightly, her breath hitching, but she masked it quick. I smirked, knowing I was getting to her. I lifted her up, sitting her on the counter, stepping in between her legs. My hands rested on her bare thighs, my grip firm, my voice low. "You worried?"

I murmured.

She sucked her teeth, rolling her eyes like the thought was ridiculous. "Please."

I smirked, knowing she was frontin', but I let her have it. Instead, I leaned in, my lips brushing against the soft curve of her neck, trailing down in between her titties, letting my mouth linger just enough to feel her breath.

Her hands gripped my shoulders as I slid my hands up her thighs, pushing her dress up around her hips, getting ready to— A throat cleared. Loudly and I froze. Chiana did too, snatching the straps of her gown back up onto her shoulders so fast I almost laughed. Almost. Because when we turned toward the doorway... My mama was standing there. Arms crossed. Face frowned up. And I hadn't even heard her ass come in the house.

"This why your funky ass been ignoring my calls?"

I let out a slow breath, rubbing my hand over my low cut, already bracing myself. Chiana shifted on the counter, looking like she was about to hop down, but I tightened my grip on her thighs, holding her in place. I exhaled. "Ma, I'm not ignoring you. I was about to call you back."

She scoffed. "Oh yeah? Looked like your ass was too busy to call anybody back."

Chiana stared at me blankly, but she didn’t say nothing. I could tell she wanted to, though. And my mama peeped it. Mama cut her eyes at her, looking her up and down before shaking her head. "Mmhmm. so you the one huh ? I thought you said you were the accountant ?"

Chiana straightened her spine, lifting her chin slightly, her eyes sharper now. Oh, she was on go. I squeezed her thighs, silently telling her to chill before I turned back to my mama. "Ma, don't start."

She ignored me, walking further inside like she was getting comfortable. "Boy, I done birthed you. You don't tell me when to start or stop a damn thing."

I ran a hand over my face, sighing. Here we go. Chiana smirked slightly, like she was amused, but she still didn’t say nothing. Yet, Mama leaned against the counter, crossing her arms. "So you mean to tell me, you got this girl all up in the business and in your damn bed?"

I shrugged. "She doin' the books. That's it."

Mama squinted. "That's it? That's all?"

Before I could answer, Chiana beat me to it. She tilted her head, voice smooth. "Well, I'm also cooking breakfast. And keeping the books clean. And living in his house. And, y'know..."

she dragged the words out before flashing a slow smirk, "making sure he stay stress-free."

I chuckled. Mama was frowning so hard I thought her face might get stuck. "Oh, so you got jokes?"

Mama narrowed her eyes. Chiana lifted a shoulder. "I got personality."

I squeezed her thighs harder, smirking at the way Mama's eyes damn near twitched. "She real comfortable."

Mama mumbled.

"She supposed to be."

I responded, My voice was firm, final. Mama stared at me for a long second, lips pressed tight, like she was debating on whether she wanted to argue or let the shit go. Finally, she sighed, shaking her head. "Believe me, this is not the last time we speaking about this."

I held back a chuckle. Of course, it wasn't. Mama wasn't the type to let shit ride, not when it came to me and my choices. She adjusted her purse, then slid her sunglasses down over her eyes before turning to walk toward the door. "I expect to see you tomorrow at Sunday dinner. Don't make me have to mention it twice."

I smirked but didn't say nothing. She was halfway out the door when she paused, glancing over her shoulder. "Feel free to bring company if that's what you need to be present."

Then, just like that, she was gone. The second the door closed behind her, I turned my attention back to Chiana, my grip still firm on her thighs. She was staring at the door, still tight from the interaction, but when I leaned in and pressed my lips to hers, I felt the way her body softened, just a little. I pulled back slightly, my lips hovering over hers as I smirked. "I can't have you talkin' shit to my mama, man."

I let out a low laugh, trying to thin the air, ease the tension. She rolled her eyes, her lips curving slightly. "Your mama was talkin' shit to me first."

I grinned. "That's what she do."

She tried to hop down off the counter, but I didn't let her go.

"Uh-uh. Where you goin'?"

She narrowed her eyes at me. "To mind my business, like your mama need to."

I laughed, shaking my head, gripping her hips tighter as I pulled her back against me.

"Nah, you tryna run 'cause you mad. You don't gotta do that."

She sucked her teeth. "I ain't mad."

I lifted a brow. "You ain't?"

she folded her arms, staring at me. "Nope."

I tilted my head, letting my fingers trace the hem of her dress, grazing the soft skin of her thighs. "Then why you tryna leave me?"

She exhaled, rolling her eyes again, but I caught the way her breathing changed, the way she shifted slightly under my touch. I leaned in, my lips brushing against her ear. "You gon' let my mama get in your head?"

She let out a low scoff, tilting her chin up. "Please."

I smirked against her skin. "Then act like it."

She opened her mouth to respond, but I caught her chin, pulling her lips back to mine, kissing her slow, deep, making sure she felt that I wasn't letting her overthink this shit. When I pulled back, her lips were slightly parted, her eyes locked on mine. "We goin' to dinner tomorrow,"

I murmured, my thumb brushing over her bottom lip. "Together."

She held my gaze for a long second before exhaling. "Fine."

I grinned. Then I lifted her off the counter before she could argue, gripping her ass as she wrapped her legs around my waist. "Now let me take your mind off my mama for a minute."

She smirked. "You think you that good?"

I chuckled, already carrying her out the kitchen. "I know I am."

_

I glanced down at my phone, messages piling up from my pops and my brothers. I was late. Laid up with Chiana, losing track of time, wrapped up in her . I ran a brush over my waves one more time, making sure I was clean, then stepped out of the bathroom, putting on my watch as I moved. Chiana was sprawled out in the bed, knocked the hell out, one leg hanging from under the blanket, her braids messy against the pillows. I shook my head, smirking. I grabbed my phone and was just about to exit the bedroom when she stirred, her body shifting against the sheets.

"Where you going?"

Her voice was low, thick with sleep, soft in a way that did something to me. I turned, glancing over my shoulder. She still had her eyes closed, but she reached out for my pillow, hugging it against her like she was trying to pull me back in. "Thought you weren't working today. Thought you was gon' lay under me today."

I chuckled, shaking my head. "Baeeby, when I said that?"

Her brows pulled together slightly, still not opening her eyes. "Mmm, whatever, Juste."

I smirked. "Exactly."

She hummed, shifting onto her side. "Nia asked me to get drinks anyway."

I paused, adjusting my watch. "Where at?"

She sighed, finally opening her eyes, but they were still heavy, still filled with sleep. "That spot we went to last time. The one with the good margaritas."

I nodded. "I'll check in with you."

She didn't say anything, just blinked slow, watching me for a second before closing her eyes again. I smirked, shaking my head before stepping out the room. One thing about this dick , it was gon put her ass to sleep.

I grabbed my keys, sliding into the driver's seat of my car, letting the engine purr to life before pulling off toward Pops' house—a small, ducked-off spot in the city that we used strictly for business. It was discreet, looked regular, nothing flashy about it from the outside, which was exactly how Pops liked to keep shit. By the time I pulled up, I could already see everybody's cars lined up outside—Jules' truck, Noles' black Charger, Pierre's Audi, and of course, Pops' old-school Cadillac that he still drove like it wasn't damn near an antique.

I ran a hand over my waves, shaking my head as I stepped out and made my way to the door. As soon as I pushed it open, I was greeted with Pierre’s' loud ass mouth. "Finally, we been waitin' on this fuck nigga for thirty minutes."

I smirked, stepping inside as I caught sight of everybody—Pops, Jules, Noles, and Pierre, all posted up at the table. "Fuck ya."

I shot back without hesitation, taking a seat.

Jules leaned back in his chair, shaking his head. "For real though, nigga, we got lives too. We know your ass in love and shit, but you gon' have to learn how to climb out the pussy when it comes to business."

Noles snickered, nodding in agreement. I frowned. "Man, both you niggas can suck my dick."

Pierre let out a low whistle, laughing to himself as he lit up a blunt. Pops sighed, rubbing his temples. "Aight, chill the fuck out."

I let out a deep breath, leaning back in my chair as I grabbed the drink sitting in front of me. "What we on?"

Pops looked at Jules, signaling for him to speak. Jules nodded. "Shipment comes in next Friday. We lookin' at about a mil worth of product. Gotta make sure it comes in clean, no hiccups, no eyes on us."

I nodded, taking a sip of my drink. "Security?"

Pierre spoke up. "Locked in. We got our regular crew runnin' it, plus a few extra eyes at the boat yard."

Noles exhaled smoke. "Question is, what we doin' with the extra money? We still got hella shit movin' through the clubs, but if we bringin' in more, we gon' need another avenue."

I rubbed my chin, already knowing what needed to be done. "We goin' legit with another business."

Jules lifted a brow. "You sure?"

Pops nodded slowly, his sharp eyes locked on me. "What you got in mind?"

I leaned forward, setting my drink down, my fingers tapping against the glass. "A Black-owned shopping center. Black-owned shops, Black-owned restaurants. Keep the money circulating in our communities, give folks a place to build somethin' real. Something we control."

Pierre let out a short laugh, shaking his head as he leaned back in his chair. "This nigga swear he a civil rights activist."

Noles snorted, exhaling a cloud of smoke. "Forreal though, what's next? A march on Bourbon Street?"

Jules smirked but stayed quiet, watching Pops for his reaction.

Pops rubbed his chin, letting the idea settle. He wasn't quick to cosign anything—he thought shit through, made sure it made sense before giving it the green light. And when he finally nodded, That's how you knew it was solid. "It actually might be smart."

His deep voice carried through the room, making everybody shut up. "Do a few giveaways, give back to the community. Help small, local businesses get off the ground. That's how you keep the streets loyal. "He smirked. "Yeah, I'm feelin' it."

Noles shrugged, taking another hit from his blunt. "Shit, if the money right, I'm down. You know niggas love a grand opening with free shit. "Pierre chuckled. "You ain't never lied."

Pops pointed a finger at me. "You gon' need the books tight on this. If we do it, it has to be legit, careful, and calculated."

I nodded. "Yeah, I know. Ima have Chiana look into it, see how it'll balance the books, and let you know more."

At the mention of her name, Jules smirked. "That girl gon' fuck around and be runnin' the whole damn empire at this rate."

I shrugged. "She good at what she do.”

Noles side-eyed me, amused. "Man, you got this girl locked in, huh?"

I gave him a look, my smirk fading slightly. "You got a problem with that?"

Noles held his hands up, grinning. "Nah, big bro, I respect it. Just funny seein' you like this."

I scoffed. "Like what?"

Pierre smirked. "Domestic."

Jules laughed, shaking his head as he took a slow sip of his drink.

"Nigga went from shootin' up cars to talkin' about openin' Black-owned businesses with his woman in his ear."

Pops let out a deep chuckle, shaking his head, but I caught the pride in his expression, even if he wasn't saying it outright.

I squinted at Jules, leaning back in my chair. "Shut your dumb ass up."

Pierre and Noles laughed, while Jules just smirked, clearly enjoying himself. Pops exhaled, swirling his drink in his glass before looking at me. "Ion know,"

he muttered, his deep voice smooth, thoughtful. "It's kinda refreshing to see the nigga happy and bubbly."

The whole table erupted into laughter. I chuckled, shaking my head. "Ain't shit bubbly about me, man."

Noles wiped a fake tear from his eye. "Nah, bro, you out here soft as hell, callin' up Chiana just to 'check in' and shit."

Pierre grinned. "Bet he the type to send 'good morning' texts with heart emojis now."

Jules leaned forward, pretending to be me, lowering his voice mockingly. "'You eat today, baeeby? You drink enough water?”

Noles clutched his chest, fake sniffling. "I just be worried about you, baeeby."

I shook my head, smirking as they clowned, but I wasn't even about to entertain them. Sitting there, listening to them talk shit, I realized how much I had changed. How much she had changed me. Not in a way that made me weaker. Not in a way that made me less of the man I was. But in a way that made me more. More calculated. More aware. More in control. Because before Chiana, I ain't give a fuck about the future. About what came next. But now, I was building something. And I'll be damned if I let these niggas make me feel any kind of way about it.

I took a sip of my drink, setting my glass down slow before looking up. "Y'all done?"

The laughter died down, but the smirks remained. "We just gettin' started,"

Noles grinned. I shook my head, chuckling. "Aight. Keep playin', remember this moment."

Jules lifted his glass.

Pops finally sat forward, voice gravelly, carrying weight. "Y'all niggas need to be straight, forreal. This ain't just a hustle. This is about legacy. What we leave behind. What we build. Y'all ready for that?"

The room got quiet. Because when Pops talked, Niggas listened. Jules nodded. "Yeah, we ready."

Pops exhaled. "Let's make it happen then."

_

The next day came around quick. Sunday dinner at Mama's house. And even though I was used to these dinners being a regular thing, something about bringing Chiana into it made the shit feel different. Like it meant something more. She was standing in the mirror, dressed down in some fitted jeans and a soft white T-shirt, letting her long braids fall freely over her shoulders.

I leaned against the doorway, arms crossed, watching as she swooped her baby hairs, her brows slightly furrowed in concentration. She was too damn fine. The type of effortless fine that didn't take much. She wasn't even trying, and still, she had my ass stuck, just looking at her. Then I watched her walk over to the nightstand and grab her damn bag of gummies, tossing a handful in her mouthlike she was popping Skittles. I lifted a brow. "Aight now, dats enough of that."

She turned, rolling her eyes as she chewed. "Juste, it's a few gummies, relax."

I smirked, stepping closer, my hands landing on her hips. "The way you eat dem shits, I'ma have to start rationing 'em out like prescription pills."

She sucked her teeth, trying to step around me, but I blocked her, gripping her waist and pulling her back against me.

"Uh-uh,"

I murmured against her neck, letting my lips brush her skin. "Not till you tell me how high you tryna be at this damn dinner."

She smirked, tilting her head to look at me. "High enough to deal with your mama without catching a case."

I let out a deep chuckle, shaking my head. "She ain't even that bad."

Chiana lifted a brow. "She literally does not like me . she walked out like she was about to put a hit out on me."

I laughed, turning her around so she was facing me, her back pressed against the dresser. "She warming up to you."

She scoffed. "Oh yeah? When's has she ever called to personally invite me to dinner?"

I smirked. "Never."

"Exactly."

I chuckled, shaking my head. "You gon' be alright, baeeby"

She pouted, looking up at me. "You sure about that?"

I leaned in, brushing my lips against hers, low and slow, letting my hands slide down to cup her ass. "Even if you not, I am."

By the time we pulled up, the whole family was already there. Jules' truck was parked out front, along with Nia's black G-Wagon. Noles and Pierre were already inside too. I glanced at Chiana, who was sitting in the passenger seat, staring at the house with a neutral expression. But I knew her well enough to know she was already mentally preparing for whatever came next.

We stepped out, making our way to the door. Before I could knock, Nia swung it open, a wide grin on her face. "Finally! My girl, get in here! I've been waiting on you!"

She reached for Chiana's hand, pulling her inside like they had been best friends . Chiana shot me a look over her shoulder like, See, this is why I like her.

I smirked, shaking my head as we stepped into the house. The smell of soul food everything filled the air—Mama was throwin' down, like she did every Sunday. Fried chicken, mac and cheese, greens, cornbread, red beans and rice. The second we stepped inside the dining room, the energy shifted. Pops, Jules, Noles, Pierre, and Mama were all already seated, drinks in hand, conversations flowing.

Mama's eyes landed on Chiana, and I swore I saw her mouth tighten just a little. Chiana, to her credit, paid her no mind, keeping her face unreadable but not shrinking under the pressure. Jules smirked, lifting his glass. "Look who finally decided to show up."

Noles leaned back in his chair, grinning. "Yeah, we was startin' to think you was gon' flake, nigga."

I pulled out a chair for Chiana, letting her sit before I sat next to her. "Y'all niggas talk too much."

Pierre chuckled. "We just know your ass ain't missed a dinner since birth. Now you start datin', and all of a sudden, you got other plans?"

These niggas was not letting up.

Everybody was talking, eating, and bullshitting as usual, but I wasn't stupid. Mama was still watching Chiana, still trying to figure her out. Her and Nia sat next to each other, whispering and giggling like they had a shared secret, and that's when I knew—they were high as hell. I smirked, shaking my head, but before I could call them out on it, Mama cleared her throat, and the whole table naturally fell quiet.

"So, Chiana,"

Mama started, her voice light but pointed, like she'd been waiting to say this. "You gon' tell me how you met my boy? What made you seek him out? Who your people are?"

I knew it was coming. I knew she was gon' try to press her, but I still lifted my glass slow, taking a sip, letting this shit play out. Chiana raised a brow, sitting back in her seat. "Me? Seek him out?"

Mama nodded, giving her that look. "Exactly. What made you chase after my Jus?"

The table fell silent, all eyes shifting to Chiana, and I felt her body tense slightly beside me. But she ain't waver. She ain't hesitate. She laughed. A soft, knowing laugh as she tilted her head, her long braids falling over her shoulder. "Me? Chase Juste?"

Chiana chuckled, shaking her head. "Clearly, you don't know your boy and the measures he'll go to, to get what he wants."

She sat back, cool and unbothered, and I gripped her thigh under the table, a silent warning to watch her mouth. Mama's eyebrows lifted slightly, her lips pressing together like she was studying her response.

Noles let out a low whistle, clearly amused. "Damn. Shit did end up being a lil crazy, huh?"

Chiana smirked, cutting her eyes at me. "Oh, you have no idea."

The table erupted in laughter, knowing how we'd met, but Mama ain't laugh.

She just stared, a slow smirk playing on her lips. "That so?"

Mama said, her voice smooth, challenging. Chiana met her gaze, nodding. "That's so."

Mama was pushing it now. She leaned back in her chair, eyes locked on Chiana like she was waiting for a reaction.

"Mmm."

She let the sound drag out like she was thinking something over, then hit her with— "So, how you go from being the accountant to fuckin' Juste?"

The whole table fell silent. Even Nia, who had been giggling with Chiana all night, stopped mid-laugh. Jules lifted a brow, smirking like he was just here for the entertainment. Pierre's drink froze halfway to his mouth, and Noles, That nigga turned his head, eyes wide like Damn, she really went there.

Chiana blinked once. Then again. Before she slowly sat back in her chair, lips pressing together in a knowing smirk. Mama was testing her. Trying to get under her skin. Before Chiana could fire back, Pops shut that shit down real quick. "Aight, Evie, that's not your business."

His voice was gruff, firm, the type of tone that meant the conversation was over.

Mama side-eyed him, sucking her teeth. "Oh, but it's your business to be in everybody else's?"

Pops gave her that look, the one that had us boys knowing when to shut the hell up.

"You heard what I said."

I waved her off, done with the whole conversation, sipping from my cup. "Come on, Ma, with all that."

Chiana still wasn't blinking. Still wasn't backing down.

She tilted her head, smiling too sweetly. "You really wanna know, Ms. Evie?"

Mama lifted a brow. "I asked, didn't I?"

I squeezed Chiana's thigh under the table, another silent warning. But she just smirked, unbothered, her nails lightly tapping the table. "Juste made it his business to be all in mine."

She leaned forward slightly, her voice smooth as hell, holding her gaze. "I didn’t have much of a choice."

Mama blinked, caught off guard for a split second before she let out a short laugh, nodding like she respected the response. She lifted her glass to her lips, taking a slow sip. "Mmm."