Chapter 14
Mother’s Day this year wasn’t much different than it had been over the past twenty-three years, except it was also my brother’s birthday. We went to the cemetery with the beautiful arrangements Rue and Rosemary had made for them, and as expected, we were all very emotional.
After we left the cemetery, we went to brunch and spoiled my grandmother with gifts. She went from crying tears of sadness to crying tears of joy. We spent the afternoon around the house while my grandmother went to the spa. Everything was perfect until we got called in for an emergency meeting.
I knew what it was about but didn’t give a fuck. It had been damn near two weeks since I beat Deacon’s ass, and no one had brought it up. Word must’ve gotten out, and it was time for the situation to be addressed.
“Word is they plan to strike at the block party fundraiser,” Joe announced.
“That would be the dumbest thing they could do. There will be a huge community and police presence plus all the members of Mayhem,” I said.
“Yeah. Well, you’ve beaten up two of their members in the past month. They might have let the shit with the young nigga slide, but Deacon holds a higher rank. Even if the members want to let it go, Deacon is ignorant as hell,” Semiyon said.
“I’ll talk to our police liaison and let him know what’s up. There’s really not much else we can do. We’ve been planning the fundraiser for too long to cancel it or move it to another day or location,” I offered.
“That’s probably all we can do right now. Too many organizations are counting on the proceeds from this event. Canceling now would put them in a tight spot,” Russell commented.
“You’re right,” Joe agreed. “Send out a notice to all members letting them know they need to come out in full force. We don’t need to give all the details even though most probably already know what’s going on.”
“Got it,” Russell responded.
We ended the meeting and parted ways. On the way back home, I got a phone call from Rue about Deacon. That nigga couldn’t leave well enough alone, but it was cool. I already had a plan for him. It was only a matter of time.
“You think she’s the one?” Russell asked when I ended the call.
“It hasn’t been that long.”
“That’s not what I asked.”
“Yeah, I think she’s the one. Deacon will be a problem. He has to go.”
“Does she know what you do after hours?”
“No.”
“Do you plan to tell her?”
“I’m not sure, but if I do, he’d already be dead.”
“I’m not saying she’s in love with him, but that’s her son’s father. You know how women?—”
“I don’t give a fuck. He has to go, and her and Briar will have to get over it. I’ll be Briar’s daddy.”
“Yeah, she’s the one.”
I didn’t deny it because I believed it was true. We rode in silence to Rue’s house. When we arrived, we chopped it up with everyone for a few minutes before Rue dragged me to her room. Once we were behind closed doors, I wrapped her in my arms and sighed deeply.
“How was your day?” I asked as we continued to embrace.
“I have a confession.”
“What’s that?”
She took a step back and looked into my eyes. “I missed you.”
“Interesting. I missed you too.”
She smiled. “That’s good to know. Other than that, it was good until Deacon called.”
“I told you not to worry about him.”
“But—”
“Rue, I’ll protect you and Briar no matter what. I know things are still new between us, but I need you to trust me. I’ll have some of my people keep an eye on the house and the shop. If they see him or any of his people lurking around, they’ll let me know or take care of it themselves. Is that cool?”
She nodded. “Thank you.”
I cupped her face and pressed my lips against her forehead before doing the same to her lips.
“I got something for you.”
“Something like what?”
I led her to the bathroom, and we faced the mirror.
“Close your eyes until I tell you to open them.”
She squinted her eyes at me suspiciously but did as I asked. I took the necklace from my pocket and put it on her neck.
“Open.”
Her hands immediately went to her neck as she leaned toward the mirror.
“Rock, this is beautiful.”
It was a gold necklace with a diamond-studded double R pendant.
“Not as beautiful as the woman wearing it, but I’m glad you like it.”
She turned around and leaned against the counter, still holding the charm.
“So tell me, what do the two R’s stand for?”
“Take a wild guess,” I quipped.
“Ruff Ryders? I am a huge DMX fan.”
I chuckled. “Me too, but guess again.”
“Umm, Ruthless Rue?”
I shook my head.
“Radiant Rue?”
I shook my head again.
“Remarkable—”
“Stop playing with me, woman. You know what it stands for.”
“Okay. Give me one more guess.”
“You better guess right, or I’m gon’ take my shit and give it to the homeless lady that’s always on 33 rd and Harlem. She tells me how handsome I am every time she sees me.”
Her body fell against mine as she laughed at my idle threat. I took the opportunity to grab her waist, and when she became serious again, she looked into my eyes.
“Rocky Rush, why are you buying me sentimental gifts already? You don’t think it’s too soon for me to wear your initials around my neck?”
“If I thought it was too soon, I wouldn’t have bought it. You’re mine, Rue. You know it, I know it, and now, everyone else will know it.”
“You’re very possessive. Should I be concerned?”
“Honestly, I’m not sure because I’ve never cared enough for a woman to claim her as mine. I’m ready to go to war for you and Briar, and this shit is weird to me. I’m only doing what my heart and mind are telling me to do, so if I’m coming on too strong, let me know. It won’t change shit, but I want to keep the lines of communication open.”
“My father worshipped the ground my mother walked on and treated me and my sisters like princesses. I had the perfect example of how a real man treats a woman. Yet, I still let Deacon ruin me. He was my first everything, and he wasn’t an asshole in the beginning. Even though my gut, my mother, my father, and my sisters told me not to trust him, I ignored all of them. By the time I was ready to listen, I was pregnant. He made me believe no one else would want me, and I believed him.”
“He didn’t ruin you.”
“I can be honest enough with myself to admit that he did for a while. You’re the first man besides my father who makes me feel safe. I don’t want you to back off or slow down. I want to be yours, and I want you to be mine.”
“I’m glad we’re on the same page.”
We kissed, and it became very heated, very quickly. Thankfully, she wore an oversized T-shirt dress, so I pulled it above her waist and ripped her panties off. I picked her up and sat her on the counter as she pushed my sweatpants down.
My dick was ready for action and lined up to her pussy as if it were a magnet. With her legs opened wide and draped over the crook of my arms, she leaned back against the mirror, and I moved her ass to the edge of the counter.
A groan escaped my lips when I entered her. Her tight, wet, gushy hole felt like heaven, and I wanted access to it for the rest of my days. I looked down at our connection and watched my dick slide in and out. Each time, it was covered in more of her juices.
“Ahh, shit!” she screamed.
“Shh, baby,” I whispered, covering her mouth with my hand.
Her eyes rolled to the back of her head as her walls contracted, milking me of my seeds simultaneously. I watched as my dick pumped our future children into her womb, praying that one of them made it to the promised land.