Chapter 9
Kincaid.
She shifted in her sleep, adjusting her body while inching closer to mine.
I had just eased back into bed after a trip to the bathroom since I couldn’t force myself back to sleep.
I, however, had no complaints because the warmth of her bare skin against mine felt nice.
This was the part I loved the most, waking up to her scent and the silky feel of her skin against mine, her body tangled in the sheets, tempting me and testing my willpower. Nari was the best part of my day.
Our date last night was successful. We both promised to do a better job of being on the same page with our marriage, which meant being in tune with each other’s emotional needs. I must admit I’d failed somewhat regarding what my wife needed from me.
She had a bit of a jealous streak, which, in a weird way, I liked.
What man didn’t want his woman to feel possessive over him, regardless of whether he would choose to betray her trust?
I never would, but it felt good to know Nari cared enough to be cautious of any and all relationships I had with other women—past or present.
I felt the same about her, but unlike Nari, I wouldn’t react by running.
My resolve would be to cancel the threat, if any existed—permanently if that was what I felt was necessary to maintain my peace of mind.
Joey was lucky I hadn’t taken such measures with him.
He hadn’t been around, so I assumed the message was received: stay the fuck away from my wife.
When we arrived back home, I physically reminded Nari just how much she belonged to me, and I belonged to her.
There wasn’t an inch of her body I hadn’t delivered a reminder to, bringing her to the edge of delirium until she ultimately submitted, allowing me to provide the ultimate pleasure.
I lost count of how many times she orgasmed before I eventually released my own.
Nari was out within seconds after we showered and climbed back in bed, naked and exhausted.
I watched her sleep peacefully, seemingly completely content until my body could no longer fight, then I was out myself.
My phone alerted me to a call. I gave Nari one last glance before I eased away to connect with Cast. I didn’t want to wake her, so I moved through the bedroom to the sitting area and stepped out onto the balcony.
“Yeah.”
“Still no activity at the grandparents’ house. Just them coming and going every so often and the aunt. Looks like she’s living there now.”
“Keep the live feed. If you see anything that looks suspect, let me know.”
“He’s been extremely quiet. More than usual, but I think you’ll find this interesting.”
“What?”
“He visited Salacious. Only once, and he never went inside.”
“Then what the fuck was he doing?”
“Meeting with an old friend of your wife’s.”
“Joseph?”
“You got it. I wanted to see if it led to anything, but so far, nothing has happened. You can’t see much other than Joey getting into the car with him.
They talk for about fifteen minutes, then he leaves.
The only time they’ve met I know of was at the club, but two of his guys have been seen there multiple times.
Each visit is the same. Joey meets them out front; they have a few words, then they leave.
Whoever they are, they know how to remain anonymous.
Those fuckers avoid the cameras every time and I can’t lock them down to any of the vehicles coming or going.
I’m sending you the footage from Salacious’s security system. What do you think it means?”
“Could be a number of things. Joseph still works for Darius.”
“He still pushing that shit after everything that happened?”
“He doesn’t have a choice. The man is marked, and he’s also not stupid. At least not when it comes to his obligation.”
When it comes to Nari, he has no fucking sense.
Which is going to get him killed.
Keeping Nari safe meant keeping tabs on those who could harm her.
I arranged to have cameras set up to keep an eye on her grandparents’ home, the strip club where Shayla worked, and her apartment.
She latched onto some wannabe drug dealer who was pretending to be her boyfriend.
At the same time, he actually had a pregnant live-in girlfriend two blocks over from the complex where he occasionally shared a bed with Shayla.
And she had the nerve to accuse my wife of being controlled with money.
“Manchester can’t figure out a way around me to get to Nari or her mother, who I’m sure he now knows is under my protection.
He may try to lure her to him by using anyone she was connected to.
It wouldn’t be hard to do some digging to find out Joseph might be an option.
Keep me posted on how frequently his people end up anywhere near her family or Joseph. Anything new on the Knotty situation?”
“I might have something, but nothing solid yet.”
“I feel like it’s Manchester, but something’s off about it. I refuse to make a move until I have the evidence. I can guarantee that Saulo and Kafi will wait to see what I do. Everything’s a damn test with them.”
“And if you fail?”
“Doesn’t matter. I do whatever is necessary when it comes to Nari.
They will do what needs to be done on their end, but either way, the decision is mine, and I don’t give a damn what either of them think.
I refuse to allow my wife to get caught up in any of this any more than she already is.
” Arms encircled my waist just before I felt her cheek press against my back. I covered her hands with one of mine.
“Maybe it won’t be an issue.”
“It’s already an issue. I have to go. Call me if you come across anything worthwhile.”
“Will do.”
After ending the call, I slipped my phone into the pocket of the shorts I tossed on and turned to face Nari. She likely got out of bed shortly after I did because her hair was now pulled back into a ponytail and her face was freshly washed.
“I figured you would sleep in.” I pressed a kiss on her forehead and she groaned in a gruff voice.
“I tried, but you left me.”
“What does that have to do with you sleeping in?”
“I’m used to you next to me. When you’re not, I can tell, and I can’t sleep peacefully.”
“Flattery will get you everywhere.”
“Good to know.” I was blessed with a cheeky grin while she angled her head back to look up, her eyes transitioning to something serious when they met mine.
“I heard part of your call.”
“Yeah?”
She nodded slowly. “What am I caught up in? Was that about my father?”
I tensed at the term father. Regardless of whether I preferred the reference, he was indeed the man partially responsible for the existence of the woman who now owned my heart.
“Yes. It’s possible he’s been in touch with your aunt and likely your cousin. It’s all the more reason I need you to promise to keep your distance.”
The warning was delivered with the look I offered, which had her face tensing.
“I said I would.”
“Good. It’s what’s best until I get a handle on things.” My thumb brushed across her lips and along the outline of her jaw before I sealed the deal with a kiss. “Now, let’s get dressed. I want to spend the day with you, starting with breakfast.”
Nari searched my face for answers before asking the question on the tip of her tongue. “You’re not working today?”
“No. If you’ll allow my company, I’d like to be with you instead.”
Her eyes narrowed slightly and sparked with amusement. “Oh, so you need permission to spend time with me?”
My expression eased into a confident grin. “I’m sure you know better than that. I’m simply being partial to formalities and issuing a request instead of my usual demand.”
“Right. Whatever Kincaid wants, Kincaid gets.” She spoke with a light bit of sarcasm that contradicted the curl of her lips exposing a smile.
“As do you, Mrs. Akel. And today, you get me. I pray that I don’t disappoint.”
“Not possible,” she said, seductively allowing her eyes to take me in.
I winked, landing one last kiss before we separated to get dressed.
Nari finished before me, and while I stood in the center of the closet deciding what to wear, I caught a glimpse of her in a strapless dress that hugged her chest and flowed loosely around the rest of her body.
It was red and some type of silk material that stopped at her ankles.
There was nothing sexual about it. However, the color and my knowledge of what was beneath it had my dick inflating.
While I was lost in my lustful thoughts, she mentioned something about her mother, which I missed because my mind was on another mother.
The one whose legs I had been between all night.
Deciding to keep things casual for the day, I dressed in jeans, a graphic tee, my Presidential watch, and no other jewelry besides my wedding ring.
When I reached the kitchen where Nari was waiting, I found her chatting away with Endia, who smiled and greeted me the minute I entered.
She was dressed for the day as always. Since her time here, I learned she was an early riser who retired each night no later than nine unless Nari kept her up beyond her regular routine.
I wasn’t sure if it was her routine or if she was attempting to stay out of the way.
However, I planned on addressing that at some point.
I had grown selfish with my wife’s time, but I was also mature enough not to allow my needs to get in the way of her relationship with Endia.
“We’re heading to breakfast if you’d like to join.”
“No thanks. I already ate.”
“Then we’ll do dinner tonight as a family,” I offered as an alternative, stepping behind my wife, encircling her waist so I could allow my hand to rest on her stomach.
There were still no signs of the life that grew there, but we had an appointment in a few weeks to learn the sex of our first child.
“If you’re home in time, that will be fine.”