32. Targen Jones
What the fuck kinda country hell had Real brought us to?
I had wondered that since we got off the plane and stepped into one of the darkly tinted SUVs he'd gotten for us. Apparently, we had a spot in a little city called Ruston, but his lady was further out in the country. A blur of pine trees, two-lane "highways," and small ponds and lakes passed us by as I drove, my unusually quiet friend in the passenger seat, Juvie and Markel in an identical SUV behind us. When I finally pulled up to what he called the “Miller Homestead,” my opinion dropped even more. The houses and trees, and the little I could see of a pond were beautiful. But it was a security nightmare. Multiple houses, land as far as I could see, and not one tower or anything I could spot except a security fence to protect it all. There was a gated entry to the property, staffed only by one person. A small sign hung above it with what looked like a ranching symbol and their name. I frowned at how cutesy the shit was. Country life must be making Prime soft.
I was doubtful even as Prime and some of his crew rose from their seats on the big, wraparound porch of the main house, a rambling yellow structure with green shutters that looked like it came out of a kids' story.
"She in there?" Real asked as we climbed the porch steps.
Prime nodded. "So is my wife. Don't make me kill you, Real."
Real laughed lowly. "Only problems I want are with Evanie... Everly," he corrected, his face looking bitter.
"Not too much," Prime warned.
"Preciate you looking out, but she's mine to deal with," Real asserted, his eyes on Prime's.
They stared at each other for a long minute before Prime finally nodded.
Seconds later, we were through the front door and into a huge living room with laughing, half-dressed, pretty women. Now, I was there to watch my friend and business partner's back. I trusted his judgment so much that I had killed for him and vice versa. He would give his life for me, and I'd gladly return the favor. But I forgot all about him when my eyes landed on her .
She wasn't laughing or dancing or yelling like the other women. Her beautiful face sported a small smile as she watched them, but she was curled up in a chair that swallowed her short frame, arms wrapped around her legs as she watched.
Real and his girl had words as the room got quiet and then buzzed with the women's smart remarks and threats. I heard Prime settling them down and realized Everly had led Real somewhere, but my eyes were still stuck on this shorty in her light blue tank top and pajama pants. She was looking at me, and a lot of things played across her face. Curiosity. Interest. Discomfort. Fear. The last two were unacceptable and I was about to say something when she jumped up.
"I should start breakfast," she announced before damn near running out of the room.
She took all the oxygen and light with her. That's what it felt like, like I was going to suffocate if I didn't get back in her presence fucking ASAP.
"Well, Everly got the other one. What's yo' name, Big Sexy?" a pretty woman with fake blonde hair and a real smile asked me.
"Targen," I bit out, not wanting to be rude, but not interested in anything except getting to her .
"Well... Targen, you must be thirsty after that long trip. Would you like some water?" a younger woman with a head full of locs and a septum ring asked me.
"I'm good, thank you."
She looked at me, her eyes seeming to see way too much.
"You sure? Cuz Theory just went to the kitchen. She could fix you some while she preps breakfast," she continued.
"Theory," I repeated. "In the blue?"
"Yeah. In the blue."
"Pip, what you doing? He ain't going back there with her!" the blonde woman fussed, her easy smile disappearing as her eyes cooled.
"Cynt, leave that girl alone. You know how she is," the woman I presumed was the family matriarch spoke.
Warm brown eyes looked me up and down and finally, she nodded, her graying head inclining once.
"Sure you don't want no water, baby?" she inquired.
I cleared my throat, suddenly thirsty as fuck. "Pip" spoke up again.
"All the way at the end of the hallway."
Her voice was soft, her smile encouraging. I never needed encouragement before. I made up my mind about what I was going to do and did it, no matter what anyone thought. But I appreciated that little smile. I nodded at her as I walked toward the hallway. It was stupid, reckless. I should be watching Prime and his people. I should be right by the door, able to get to Real quickly or cover him if shit was a setup. I had to pray it wasn't. Because when I stepped over the threshold and into that kitchen, I ignored all the reasons I had come... now, there was only one reason I was here.
She didn't hear me, and I spotted the Air Pods in her diamond-adorned ears. I watched her from the doorway as she reached into the huge stainless-steel refrigerator and cabinets, grabbing what she needed and humming along with her music.
Baby girl was gorgeous. Already, I had her features memorized. Sandy brown hair in a ponytail, light brown doe eyes and skin dotted with freckles, a little bridge-less, pierced nose, and full lips I was going to enjoy kissing and sucking. I'd be doing that soon because I knew she was mine. I had never felt this instant attraction, awareness, possessiveness, but I didn't question it. Theory was for me.
I heard her sharp gasp, and my eyes snapped from her full breasts and the curve of her hips to her gaze. She'd spotted me. My shorty looked scared but resolved to face me. She clutched a bag of shredded cheese to her chest, staring as I approached her.
"Wh-what... the bathroom is up the hall," she tried, her voice shaky.
"I'on want the bathroom," I said.
She swallowed hard. "What... what do you want?"
We both knew the answer to that, but I didn't think she was ready to hear it.
"Water," I said. "I want some water."
She set the cheese on the center island, giving me one last nervous look before heading back to the cabinets. She took down a glass, rinsed it, and walked to the refrigerator.
I couldn't help it. I had to get closer. I eased behind her, happy just to stand there like a sick ass simp. She smelled like cocoa butter and vanilla, and I felt my dick swell in response. If I moved any closer, it'd be resting on the curve of her round ass. Fuck! I was moving, thinking too fast. I realized it again when she turned around and almost dropped the ice-filled glass and bottle of water. I caught them and set them on the counter when I realized how shallow her breathing was getting. She looked terrified and that broke the heart I'd just realized I had. For the first time in a long time, I regretted the fucking scars, hated how an enemy I hadn't even known decided to make an example of my face.
"P-please," she whimpered as she bent forward, trying to catch her breath.
Panic attack. I reached for her, wanting to help her, to do something, especially since the shit was my fault, but she held out one arm like she was trying to keep me away. I grabbed her hand, trying to keep my touch soft.
"Shorty, I need you to calm down and breathe with me," I told her, my voice quiet and steady.
I placed her palm against my chest, ignoring the sudden sizzle, the spark that ignited when I felt her. I breathed in and out deeply. At first, all I could hear were her anxious breaths and soft whimpers. Then, her hand pressed against me more tightly, and her breathing slowed.
"That's it, baby, deep breaths," I coached.
She nodded once, inhaling and exhaling to my rhythm until our breaths matched. The pulse in her throat told me that our heartbeats did, too.
I liked that. A lot.