Chapter 16 Duke
I sat behind my desk looking over the same financial report over and over. I think I’d read the same line at least five times. The way Solana felt in my arms this morning was a steady reminder of what I was missing when she wasn’t around.
It was just like me to get some pussy and act like a kid in high school who ain’t never touched it before. I checked my watch a few times, ready for the end of her workday just so I could be in her presence.
It wasn’t just a sexual pull—I enjoyed being around her. That sweet but spicy vibe she had? It stayed with me. And now that the secrets were out, I could really get to know her.
But I couldn’t even lie… hearing what she went through while she was in the spotlight fucked with me. I knew about stars losing their lives to crazed fans and stalkers, but meeting someone who actually lived through that? That was different.
I clicked out of my reports and pulled up the internet to look her up. I’d been fighting to desire to do it since I got behind my desk. But thoughts of her being in real danger beat my need to respect her process on how much she told me.
My grandfather had raised me to be a protector. In the Hinton household, that was the role of the man, and I took that position seriously. I didn’t give a damn that we’d just made our relationship official this morning.
I typed in her name, Amore. Instantly, pictures of her filled the screen, all with that deep red hair. I’d seen her on posters here and there, but I never made the connection. I wasn’t really into social media or movies like that.
I continued scrolling through article after article until one stopped me cold—a video of a man standing at a podium. The headline read Lost Superstar.
The article went on to say the police department hadn’t been helpful in finding her. According to them, Solana left on her own free will… and didn’t want to be found.
By the looks of the muthafucka on the podium, he had to be her manager.
But he was practically salivating to find her.
The shit didn’t feel like it was just about money.
It felt like more; I didn’t want to assume she had fucked with this man before.
But we all have a life we’d much rather not speak about anymore.
All I knew was he rubbed me the wrong way and if I saw his ass around here, it would be a problem. I made a mental note to ask her about him and find out what was up. I continued looking at the different articles recounting all the stalkers she had mentioned last night, but in a bit more detail.
The way Solana explained it hadn’t hit the same as seeing it laid out in front of me—every message, every threat meant to scare her. It made me understand even more why she had to leave that shit behind. I closed out the browser, unable to read another damn thing.
Just as I locked my computer, my phone vibrated against the desk, gaining my attention. I grabbed my phone to see a call from Juelz; I answered, hoping he had gotten the approval for a pull up with the Crown.
“You handled it?” I asked.
“Well damn, what’s up to you too?”
I chuckled. “Yeah, all that. Now, did you handle it?” I asked again.
Juelz cleared his throat before responding.
“Yeah, but they want to see you tonight, no exceptions. I’m going to assume they’ve heard about all the shit going on.”
“Fuck!”
“Same thing I said. The good thing is we’re already steps ahead of the shit they’re going to want to know. But I’ll let everyone know tonight is the night so we can all slide into place.” He responded.
“Cool. I’ll be ready to ride. Tell them to meet up at my spot.”
“Got you.”
We ended the call and stood from behind my desk when someone knocked against the door.
“Come in.”
Vanessa peeked inside with a somber expression. I groaned inwardly, wondering why the fuck it was so hard to get her ass to back off. She hadn’t gone this hard until Solana came into the picture. I couldn’t understand why I had to keep having the same conversations with her ass.
“What’s up?” I asked, while grabbing my keys to my bike and heading for the door.
Nessa reached out to grab my biceps to stop me from walking out of the door.
“I thought we could talk in private before you left. Ever since you call yourself fucking with her, now you can’t deal with me. I’m a Thorn, too. It’s your job as our leader to make sure I’m okay, too. That doesn’t change now that you have someone stroking your ego.”
I glanced over my shoulder in her direction, then chuckled.
She’d been on my last nerve for some time now.
I peered down at her hand that was still wrapped around my biceps, like she had the right to touch me.
My brow raised as I looked back up at her, warning her without words to get her hands off me.
She released me like a child, touching the burner on a hot stove.
“Is that right?” I asked, turning to face her fully with my hands clasped in front of me.
“Shit, let me hear your grievances, then. Since this is biker business, and you know how I should be running my shit.”
Nessa’s eyes widened, not expecting me to call her out. Her mouth opened, then closed a few times before she released a frustrated breath.
“Why are you doing this to me? We can fix this—”
I held my hand up, stopping her.
“I’ve been trying to be respectful, but you go out of your way to disrespect me and now, my girl.
I don’t know where I went wrong where you’re concerned.
I was upfront about the fact we would never be in a relationship.
It didn’t matter if it was Solana. It was always going to be someone else, and I told yo’ hard headed ass that on more than one occasion. ”
A tear rolled down her cheek, making my chest hurt. Not because I cared about how she felt. But I wasn’t a heartless man who walked around, leaving broken hearts in my wake. I didn’t set out to fuck up her day or make her feel bad. All I could do was keep it real with her.
“Nessa, don’t do that shit. I owe it to you to keep it real, like I always have where you or anyone else I’ve dealt with is concerned. It’s my bad. I know where I went wrong. I should have never allowed this to cross into anything sexual. So, that was my bad—”
“No, that wasn’t it. I just don’t understand why it couldn’t have been me.”
“This is why. You shouldn’t be around here begging no man. You’re a nice woman, but misguided like hell. You need to be with someone who sees a future with you. This is the last time I’m going easy on you about this.”
Her lip quivered at my response.
“Next time, we’re going to be having a different kind of conversation and don’t let me think you on some devious, get back or get even shit. You won’t get far enough to think you’ve won a muthafucking thing. Understood?”
She nodded with wide eyes as she wiped the tears from her cheeks.
“Oh yeah, keep yo’ ass away from what’s mine. Solana doesn’t deserve you staking a claim on a man that’s not yours. Now have a good day, Nessa.”
I held my hand out, gesturing for her to walk ahead of me. I didn’t trust her ass. Until further notice, she would be on my radar until I felt she wouldn’t be on some thin line between love and hate shit.
Vanessa stuffed her hands into her pockets and walked out of the room with her head looking down at the ground.
I locked the office behind me, then followed behind her.
I needed to let the staff know Benny was in charge tonight and he would be in soon.
If they had any problems, they needed to reach out to him.
Once I was certain they knew what I expected, I walked to the back to grab my bike and pulled it around the front. I drove down the road to Sugar Kissed to see it had slowed down. Solana was inside talking with a single customer, smiling all big and shit.
I parked my bike before hopping out and heading inside.
The bell dinged overhead, alerting my presence.
A tall bulky black man, who looked like he played pro ball, was leaning against the counter smiling and shit.
Solana’s eyes locked with mine and I lifted a brow.
I crossed my arms against my chest and leaned against the doorframe.
“Well is that all for today?” she asked
“Yeah, I don’t mean to be too forward, but would you be interested in having coffee or something sometime?” he asked.
I stayed silent, waiting to hear her response. She smiled and rang him up, then took his payment before responding. Baby wasn’t planning on missing that sale in case he wasn’t a fan of being turned down.
“I’m flattered, but I’m taken. I appreciate you giving me your business. I hope you enjoy everything you purchased today.”
I waited a moment, hoping he gave her just a bit of an attitude so I could stump his big ass out in here. But he just smiled and nodded, then turned to leave the store. Smart.
I stood upright, moving away from the door. I strolled over to the counter and she leaned forward, meeting me halfway. I kissed her a few times before pulling back.
“I’m shocked to see you so early. I don’t close until another two hours from now.” She said, while checking her watch.
“Damn, you not excited to see yo’ man. I heard shit be jumping in the beginning stages of a relationship. You tired of me already?” I asked playfully.
She waved me off and walked around the counter to wrap her arms around my waist. I followed suit, wrapping my arms around her, then gripping her plump ass. Solana’s giggles made my heart beat erratically and almost made me forget what I came here to tell her.
“Now you already know I’m not. I’m just asking the obvious question and if you are anything, you’re prompt. Not a moment later or earlier. Let me find out I’ve become your own personal bag of skittles.”
I laughed because, in all reality, she had. I hadn’t thought about grabbing a bag of Skittles all damn day. At this point, nothing would satisfy my craving for something sweet unless it was her. That shit wasn’t normal for me.