Epilogue
Six Months Later . . .
“I appreciate y’all coming in for this quick church meeting. I won’t keep you but a second,” Diesel says as his eyes go around the room.
The plans I have for today are temporarily on hold until this business at the clubhouse is taken care of. Squeak sent a text last night to all members of Baxtown Iron for everyone to be at the clubhouse today.
“Alright, the first order of business,” Gunz says before his eyes connect with mine and then lower to Jariyah.
A sneaky grin slides into place because it looks like my brothers are about to go through with their plans from not long ago.
“Jariyah, can you come up here for a minute?” Gunz asks.
Jariyah stills in my arms, and her body trembles lightly as I squeeze her to me momentarily before I whisper so only she can hear.
“I’m always at your back, Navae, so fear has no place in you.”
Jariyah nods before stepping out of my hold and walking to the center, where all the officers stand in a straight line. Her back is to me, and nostalgia surges through me like a spark when Diesel speaks.
“Not long ago, you stood in a similar meeting, and the outcome was anything but friendly. Today, we want to not only right that wrong but also properly welcome you into our club. From now on, you will no longer be Jariyah in our eyes. We’ve changed your name to Siren.”
“Oh my God!” Jariyah says as her hand lifts to cover her mouth before she turns to look at me. “Is . . . this . . . is this real?” The water in her eyes has my chest tight as I fight the urge to pull her into me.
“I misjudged you—”
“We misjudged you,” Diesel cuts Gunz off to add. “It’s a mistake we’re rectifying now. Just like Squeak, we won’t ask if you’re good with joining us, because your man is the one who selected your club name.”
“Mhm. His dominant ass demanded it,” Shadow interjects.
“Let’s get back to the task at hand. Just as I did then, I want to be the first to welcome you into the family, Siren.” Deacon steps forward and pulls Jariyah into his arms.
My reaction is the same as it was back then. I remove the space between Deacon, Jariyah, and me before I yank her out of his arms.
“Nigga, hug your own woman,” I bark as a shout of laughter echoes around the room.
“Aw, cousin. You’re just as possessive as my Deacon. I love it.” Squeak smiles before she hugs Deacon, which causes his frown to evaporate.
“Alright, I’ll let y’all properly welcome her in, but a handshake will do just fine,” I say as I turn Jariyah around so everyone can greet her.
Squeak is first, as Jariyah and her giggle while they whisper, before the next woman steps forward to speak to Jariyah.
My chest expands, and my heart gallops as I watch, rapt, as each of my sisters and brothers shows Jariyah love.
Jariyah’s body is jumpy, which makes me run my hands up and down her back comfortingly.
“Now that we have that resolved, I also need to make you aware of the mayor’s plans to hem us up,” Diesel says once everyone has finished with Jariyah.
My ears perk up at this topic because I have totally forgotten about that since the mayor basically cut ties with Jariyah.
“Thanks to missing and insufficient evidence, the RICO case fell like a house of cards. While I know all of our dealings are on the up and up, it’s good to have friends in high places,” Diesel continues.
“Shout out to Detective Ryan and Agent Gemini.” Shadow smirks as the members erupt in thunderous applause.
“That’s all for now. Remember to keep your heads on a swivel and ride safe,” Gunz says.
It takes a couple of seconds for the meeting to officially come to a close as I lock hands with Jariyah and head toward the door.
Deacon and Squeak are with us because we are all going to the same place.
My nerves spike like a four-alarm fire when I climb into the driver's seat after helping Jariyah into the passenger seat.
“I can’t believe you didn’t tell me they were gonna welcome me into the club. Wow. I’m—and you picked my name? What made you choose Siren?” Jariyah asks.
“That surprise was worth keeping from you. But like your new namesake, you have caused me to stop and take notice in a way that goes beyond my dick.”
“Aw. I’m glad I could throw you off course,” Jariyah gushes.
I shake my head as I follow behind Deacon, as music provides a distraction for my wayward thoughts. Neither time nor the destination is in my favor, as it takes twenty minutes to reach our location. I park behind Deacon and turn to look at Jariyah.
“Okay, so I don’t overwhelm you further, my parents are here, and I want you to meet them.”
“Huh? Y-you want me to meet the pastors?” Jariyah’s eyes stretch as they move from me to the front door of the house we’re at.
“It’s not that bad. Hell, I’m sure you’re an answered prayer.”
I exit the vehicle and go to the passenger side to let Jariyah out.
Her eyes are uncertain, but she doesn’t back down from what’s about to happen.
It makes me love her more than I already do.
My parents came into town not only to see my aunt and uncle but also me.
I’m excited to have a woman like Jariyah to introduce them to because she’s it for me.
That thought makes it easy for me to form a line with Deacon, where our women are sandwiched between us as we walk to the front door.
“Alright, cuz. My suggestion is to put on your best Sister Mary Clarence act, or they’re gonna chew you up and spit you out.” Deacon smirks before he twists the knob and opens the door before Jariyah can respond.
“You’re the lifter,” we hear the minute we walk through, and a chuckle falls from my mouth because I know this is about to be an introduction Jariyah won’t soon forget.
“Oh God,” Jariyah whispers.
“You are the lifter, oh God,” Mom sings as Aunt Shirley backs her up, and two sets of male voices echo praise.
Deacon is the fool I love him to be when he enters the room with his hands raised in the air.
“Whew, Glory!”
“You better give him glory, Son.” Uncle Paul encourages Deacon.
A low chuckle becomes stuck in my throat when Jariyah looks at me with wide and pleading eyes.
“I hate to interrupt your praise and worship session, but I want y’all to meet my Jariyah,” I interject before anyone else can say anything.
I can see from Jariyah’s reaction that our visit will be short. After what happened at the clubhouse, I don’t want to let this moment be the reason she runs away from me.
“Hallelujah! And for this, God, I give You praise.” Mom’s hand shoots up in the air as she starts jogging in place.
I lean over and whisper for Jariyah’s ears only, “Do something to break the ice and make it good, Navae.”
Jariyah looks at me before she subtly shakes her head, and I smirk while I nudge her gently. I’m confident that my Siren can handle anything that comes with being with a man like me. This moment is just another layer of the hiccups that can occur in our journey toward forever.
“He’s a great God! E, E, O, C, L, O, P,” Jariyah says before she throws her hand in the air.
Squeak, Deacon, and I laugh hysterically when both parents reciprocate Jariyah’s actions.
This moment confirms that Jariyah is more than her background.
She’s the woman who Big Homie created for a man like me.
Jariyah is my confirmation that Big Homie still has a tender spot for me.
Yeah, He deserves to be praised because with water in my eyes while I watch Jariyah perform .
. . I’m grateful that my sister was in the right place at the right time.
The End!