Chapter 11
Kincaid.
Nari looked back at me over her shoulder and offered the biggest smile. She was beautiful. No one could compete as far as I was concerned and that damn dress she wore . . .
Dangerous!
I winked and she blushed. I could tell she was over having to play nice with everyone in attendance tonight, but I was proud of her for powering through.
This was a part of my life. And the people here also played a role regardless of whether I liked it.
My eyes roamed the large crowd, which had to be close to a hundred and fifty guests.
All five head members from The Families were in attendance as well.
They had all expressed their approval of my wife and were pleased with how she complemented me.
Nari handled their conversations well, smiling the entire time.
She was articulate and smart, regardless of her lack of postsecondary education.
Nari had never gone to college, but one would never know based on how she carried herself so intelligently, being able to compete with those who had multiple degrees.
When Kafi made his toast, expressing his thoughts about the beginning of a loving and powerful union between us, she smiled, leaning into me while I stood behind her with my hand resting on her stomach.
We both agreed not to announce the pregnancy formally, but I was beaming on the inside after learning this morning that our firstborn would be a boy—my son.
Nari was blessing me with a namesake—the first of our legacy.
I couldn’t be more pleased nor could I be more in love with her.
“She’s beautiful and it appears she’s also smart.
” I kept my eyes on Nari but nodded at Angelo Ricci.
His English was perfect regardless of his thick Italian accent.
Ricci was the quietest and unseen member of all the families.
We typically only saw him at the quarterly meetings or if a problem required his presence.
Outside of that, he was a ghost who moved in the shadows.
Rumor had it his son would soon be taking his place.
I never asked. It would be confirmed when needed and the decision didn’t affect me one way or another.
“You never know your true value as a man until the right woman is by your side. She gives me purpose beyond anything I could have ever imagined.” It took a minute for me to grant him my full attention.
When our eyes met, a grave expression covered his face.
He subtly glanced at Nari before nodding and offering a smile.
“I would have to agree. Anna Marie is my world. She makes me a better man. I’d shed blood for her honor and her happiness.
” His regard moved across my yard to where his wife talked to a group of women.
As if she felt his stare, their eyes met and she offered a soft smile before waving.
His smile expanded while I dipped my chin in acknowledgment and she returned to her conversation.
He spoke of my arrangement. “It was not traditional, but you love her, aye?”
“It wasn’t, but I do. She was meant to be mine.” There was not a doubt in my mind that Nari had always belonged to me.
“Ahhh.” He smiled. “You will be a good husband to her, no?”
“As best I can. I’m sure I’ll fuck it up at some point, but maybe not so much that she’ll second-guess taking this ride with me.”
Angelo chuckled and nodded. His hand came down on my shoulder at the same time.
“You’re an honorable man. Smarter than most. You will be okay.
Congratulations, Kincaid. Many blessings to you and your wife.
I know your father is proud. He loved you and I know it’s hard to reach these milestones without having him here by your side. ”
“It is. Speaking of, has anyone gotten any closer to knowing who was behind the shooting?”
At that moment, Angelo’s expression presented a mixture of compassion and remorse.
“No, and believe me, we have extended all of our resources. As much as I hate to consider it a possibility, we may never know. However, we will continue putting our best efforts forward. I assure you, it’s just as important to us as it is to you and your family. ”
I nodded. “I know, thank you,” I offered with sincerity before Angelo stepped away. Nari was on her way to me right after. She leaned into my chest, circling my waist with her arms, and I placed a kiss on her forehead.
“It’s almost over.”
“I’m tired, but this wasn’t so bad. Even with her here.
” She pointed with her forehead to where Mya was across the yard.
She was watching us, had been all night, but knew enough to keep her distance.
I was sure she would have attempted to steal a moment when I was alone, but she never tried.
I was grateful for not having to hurt feelings or embarrass her by requesting that she leave.
Mya’s invitation was a formality due to her father’s status.
I did, however, clear it with Nari. Her sentiment mattered more to me than the opinions of those who only had an investment in my position.
My leadership was solid, and I would forever fulfill my obligations, but Nari was off-limits.
If a choice had to be made, I would always choose her.
While sharing a private moment with Nari, I searched the faces, attempting to locate those who were under my watchful eye.
My mother was with two women she shared a charity with and Endia was with Cast. She smiled widely at whatever he said and her hand rested on his forearm. She appeared to be relaxed and happy.
“It looks like your mother has a suitor.” I grinned, watching as things unfolded. Nari looked in the same direction and her eyes went wild before they landed on me again.
“Him? Cast?” Panic was laced in her tone, which had me responding quickly and clearly.
“No, shit, no. Over there.” I motioned in another direction. “Abisai Sinclair.” I smirked when I noticed her body relax. The idea of her mother with Cast seemed to create an internal panic. I could understand why. He was the type who kept women in rotation and was considerably younger than Endia.
“Who is he?” Nari watched intently as he approached with both hands behind his back before he bowed his head, speaking to Cast first then extending a hand to her mother.
From how things unfolded, I assumed he introduced himself and requested a moment of her time because Cast instinctively stepped in front of Endia protectively when Abisai approached, but nodded and moved out of the way after the verbal exchange.
“A colleague, retired, but he’s a good guy,” I offered, keeping it vague instead of going into detail about Abisai’s history of being the most valued enforcer in our organization at one point in his life.
“Retired from what?” Nari pushed.
“He used to be an enforcer,” I tried again. A little more detail, but nowhere near the specifics outlining the blood he’d shed in his active years.
“And he’s a good guy?” She watched as the two interacted. Her mother’s posture was friendly and she smiled a lot.
“A very good guy. I trust him with her, if that turns out to be anything.”
She lifted her eyes to me, but I continued watching their exchange a few moments longer before I gave her mine.
“Well, at least he can keep her safe. I know what enforcer means.” She delivered a pointed stare, and I grinned, kissing her softly.
“He can.”
About an hour later, the last of our guests were gone.
Endia was in her room and Cast volunteered to take my mother home before the second shift of his evening began.
He had personal plans, which meant some woman or women would end up in his bed, or he would end up in theirs.
I finally had my wife alone and we had both survived our reception.
“I shouldn’t be this tired.” Nari’s voice was laced with exhaustion when she spoke.
I tugged at my tie while I watched her step out of her heels.
She had been in them for hours, and I wasn’t necessarily happy about that, but she looked terrific.
The dress she wore hugged every curve of her body, which was already fucking amazing but had filled out quite nicely since being pregnant.
Her hips expanded, and her breasts were fuller, which had me on edge all night because I could see both men and women checking her out.
They were all respectful, but that didn’t stop them from stealing glances at Nari’s body .
. . a visual which had my dick hard all night.
“It’s been a long day and I appreciate you suffering through this for me.
” I made my way to her. My chest brushed against her back before I forced her hard against me with an arm around her neck and the other firmly circling her waist. I delivered a trail of kisses from just below her ear to her collarbone, and she settled into me, moaning softly.
“It was important to you.”
“It was, but mostly because I wanted to show off my beautiful wife.” I kissed her neck again before lowering both hands around her waist, moving them up her stomach then to her breasts, which I cuffed in my palms. “But this dress made that incredibly hard.” I brushed my nose against the soft curve of her neck, inhaling her scent before continuing my thought.
“Amongst other things.” I pushed forward and she angled her head back on my shoulder, delivering a smug grin.
“What’s new?” she teased, covering my hands with hers. “I just want to get out of this dress, shower, then crawl in bed.”
“Let me help you with that.” My fingers scaled her side, searching for the zipper I had helped secure in place earlier that evening. I tugged it down and Nari expelled a sigh of relief, which had me frowning, wondering if the dress had been too tight.