Chapter 16
Nari.
“Do I look pregnant?” I turned away from the mirror, allowing my arms to rest at my sides while I waited for Kincaid’s input. He smiled handsomely, arching his brow at the same time.
“I’m not sure how to answer, sweetheart. That sounds very much like a trick question and one that could potentially get me in a lot of trouble based on how I choose to respond.”
I laughed, playfully rolling my eyes. “I didn’t say fat, just pregnant.”
“Is that not the same as far as pregnant women are concerned? I’m still navigating dangerous waters here.”
“My God, how are you this timid with a simple question and still able to be as successful as you are?”
This time, he was the one who seemed amused, throwing his head back and laughing.
“With business, I have an intended goal, and I don’t give a damn about their feelings, but that’s not the case here.
Different terms apply, but our son is gracefully making his presence known to answer your question.
It’s a sight I rather enjoy. However, it will be a lot harder to avoid the conversation with others.
” His eyes lowered to where my hands now rested.
“We can make an announcement, and you can tell whoever you want. I simply needed to be selfish with the news for a little while.”
“How about we just stick to confirming when asked?”
“That works. I’m sure it will be a topic of discussion today.”
“Today?” He frowned, trying to remember what he missed about my day.
“I see you’ve forgotten that I have plans, which means I need to hurry. I’m sure those vultures . . .” I paused to grin, and he chuckled. “I mean, wives, would have plenty to say if I showed up late. Can’t have the boss looking bad on my behalf.”
“You’re not obligated to anything.”
I had decided against having them in our home, at least for now, so one of the other wives hosted this meeting. I also wanted to get a feel for things before taking on the responsibility of planning.
“Oh, but see, I am. You, sir, have created an expectation. As your wife, I have to do my part. Just don’t assume I’ll be as poised as you are. They give me shit, I’m giving it right back.”
His cheeks hiked before amused eyes met with mine. One of those long fingers hooked my chin right after and his tongue began to explore while his body leaned into me, allowing that thick impression to be a reminder of why I struggled to get out of bed most mornings.
“I expect nothing less.” He winked and stepped away. I followed him from the closet back inside our bedroom, where he was collecting his phones. “You can drive, or Conner can take you.”
“Drive? Unless you know something I don’t, that would be kind of hard, considering I don’t have a car.”
“You are correct. You don’t have a car; you have several vehicles. Check the garage. The keys are to the left of the door in a glass case.”
“You trust me to drive your vehicles?” I raised my brow in amusement, following him through the bedroom into the hallway.
“Our cars, and yes. Use what we have until you decide what you prefer. I’ll order whatever you want.”
While I leaned over the railing that overlooked the foyer, Kincaid took the stairs, pausing briefly with his brows slightly pinched. “You do have a license, correct?”
“I thought you did your research, Mr. Akel.” A teasing smile filled my face. He chuckled and started moving again.
“That’s the one thing I didn’t give much thought to. Maybe I should rethink this and insist that Conner drive you.”
“Nope. Too late, buddy.”
I was well aware that I would be guarded. However, there was some sense of normalcy in my life when I could at least drive myself. It was a knock-down, drag-out process to gain that inch, but I needed the small victory because I was beginning to feel stifled by my lack of freedom.
“He and Floyd will both be shadowing you. I’ll check in later.” Kincaid paused at the door, and I nodded.
“Have a good day, honey.” My sarcasm brought a smile to his face just before he was out the door. I had a little over an hour before I was to meet the wives for lunch. At least Alisha would be there because Lord knows I had a feeling this wouldn’t go well.
Alisha grinned from the passenger seat of Kincaid’s G-Wagon.
After exploring the six-car garage, I found an array of foreign vehicles.
They were all equally tempting, but I was sold the minute I sat inside the G-Wagon.
I had fallen in love with the one he kept in Miami and this one was identical other than its color.
It was a brand I knew, considering the mileage was under 2,000 miles driven, and it smelled like new leather instead of his cologne, so I assumed it wasn’t his preference. Rich people!
Knowing Kincaid, he likely purchased it just to have, considering the only vehicles he drove were his favorite babies: a custom i8 or the equally obnoxious McLaren Roadster.
He had a thing for dangerously fast cars.
Both were extremely nice, but this little baby was my new favorite thing.
The exterior was a matte black finish with a black and red interior.
I could tell it was custom, which meant he put a lot of thought into a vehicle that spent most of its time in the garage collecting dust. After twenty minutes of fiddling, I figured out how to adjust the air and turn on the radio before I left to pick up Alisha.
We had just arrived at the restaurant where we were scheduled to meet the other wives, and I was already feeling my mood change.
“This truck is totally you. I swear it’s a perfect fit. I never really liked them because they drive like shit, and I’m so short, but this is definitely you.”
“It’s a’ight.” I shrugged, sticking out my tongue. She laughed, narrowing her eyes toward the building.
My phone lit up with a notification, making me stare at the device and frown.
J1928: Wants to send you a message.
I clicked on the notification and went to my requests, already knowing who it was from.
Joey. This was his third fake profile in the past two weeks.
Each time I realized it was him, I would block him.
Just after we were married, Kincaid insisted I change my number to one that couldn’t be traced, so the only access Joey had was through my social media accounts.
I likely should have mentioned it to Kincaid, but the last time he crossed paths with Joey behind me, it ended with crushed bones.
I didn’t want to be responsible for what the next warning might be.
If I continued to block him, he would hopefully get the picture.
I knew one thing for certain: I wasn’t getting anywhere near the man.
“I need to talk to you. It’s important. Please just respond.” Alisha’s voice after reading the message from Joey had me quickly locking my phone. “Who the hell is that?”
“Nobody.” I rolled my eyes, playing it cool. “He was one of the bouncers at the club where I used to work. I guess one run-in with Kincaid wasn’t enough. I’m going to block him.”
For the hundredth time!
“That man is playing with his life. Yeah, you better do that, or it won’t end well.”
I was grateful when she moved on.
“You ready for this?”
“Are you?”
“I’m used to it. They don’t like me, but they have to tolerate me.
I take pleasure in the fact that they can’t figure out a way to keep me completely exiled from their precious little cliques.
I only come to this stuff just to fuck up their vibes.
It really shouldn’t give me that much pleasure just to see them hate the fact that I’m there, but it secretly makes my day. ”
“You’re evil.”
“Maybe, but the only way to fight evil is with evil.”
A few minutes later, we walked inside the building, and I was glad I’d skipped the jeans and hoodie and settled on slim-fit slacks, heels, and a loose-fitting, thin, sleeveless cashmere sweater.
This place was the type of environment where the food looked better than it tasted.
The whole more-plate-than-food vibe was in effect with this joint.
I was sure the chef was French and had several Michelin stars.
“We’re grabbing pizza after we leave here,” I whispered to Alisha as we approached the hostess. She shot me a quick grin and nodded before she greeted us.
“Good afternoon, ladies. Table for two?”
“No, actually, there should be a reservation for Cynthia Tyler.”
“Ahh, yes. They’re in the Chalet Room. Follow me, please.” She smiled politely before her heels clicked the tiled floor until we crossed into the dining area and stopped just outside a private room. She paused, sliding open one of the frosted glass doors. “Enjoy.”
I offered a nod and we entered. There was a massive round table with four women. All eyes were on us, but mine landed on one person specifically. Mya.
“I didn’t think you’d be joining us.” She lifted her wrist, glancing at the watch that circled it loosely. My extra time getting acquainted with the truck had us running a few minutes late.
“Well, we’re here.” I shrugged. She offered a tight-lipped smile and flicked her wrist to the two empty chairs.
“Join us, please.”
“Tacky,” one of them mumbled, and the one beside her agreed.
“Now, as I was saying before our late guests arrived—”
“Members,” Alisha cut in. The five of them glared her way, sending so much heat it was only by the grace of God I didn’t break out into a sweat. “We’re not guests. We’re members of this organization. Please address us properly.” Alisha’s elbows rested on the table, and her head tilted slightly.
One of the women smirked as her regard bounced around the table. “I’m sure that’s what she meant. Isn’t that right, Mya?”
“Yes, so, as I said, we pick a cause yearly. Last year, we donated reading materials to underprivileged schools, and the year before that, we sponsored food drives throughout the city. I was thinking this year, we’d focus on donating to foster families.
More specifically, the children who are affected. ”