Calla #2
“Do I need bail money or a Bible?” Caleb asked.
Calil responded, “I’m bringing both.”
I rolled my eyes, but the smile came easily. Typical. “See y’all there.”
I also sent a quick text to James:
Me: Meet me at Big Earl’s. I need you to hear what’s going on with my dad, professionally and personally.
Big Daddy: Say less. I’ll be there.
Yes, I had James saved in my phone as Big Daddy, because his uncanny ability to know when to submit and when to lead made him the kind of man who only comes around once in a lifetime.
Big Earl’s BBQ was exactly as loud and smoky as it always was, old Motown on the speakers, football highlights on the TVs, and a smell that could make grown men cry.
Caleb and Calil were already there, ordering drinks and appetizers to share.
“Damn, y’all couldn’t wait?” I said, sliding into the booth.
“You were driving too slow,” Calil replied, “We know all your favorites here.”
James showed up a few minutes later, wearing that calm, composed look that fooled everyone who didn’t know him. My brothers sized him up immediately, like two wolves deciding if the newcomer could hunt.
“Black, Lil, what’s good?” he greeted smoothly, sliding in next to me.
Caleb grinned. “One half of the duo that has my baby sister in love and skinnin’ and grinnin’ and shit.”
James smirked. “It’s gone stay that way too, I plan to keep a smile on Calla Black’s face until it’s double C’s around here.”
Confused, I asked, “Double C’s?”
“Yeah, baby, Calla Carter, act like you know,” James said, causing my body to flush with heat as I tried to hide the smile on my face.
Calil leaned forward. “Treat Calla like the star she is. Understand the terms: hurt our sister, and we’ll remove you from the family tree. No refunds.”
James didn’t flinch. “Noted. But you won’t have to worry about that. Your sister is my world, her and Amiyah.”
Both of them paused, clearly not expecting that level of sincerity.
Caleb nodded slowly. “Alright, points for confidence.”
Calil raised his glass. “And survival instinct.”
The table erupted into easy laughter, tension gone as quickly as it had appeared.
I filled them in on everything after Dad’s visit to BlackSphere, including the dossier Lennox had put together and all the slimy, pathetic details. By the time I finished, both my brothers looked like they were seconds away from declaring war.
Caleb’s jaw tightened. “I always knew he’d come for me eventually. But trying to blackmail you? He’s lost it.”
“He’s desperate,” I said. “Lennox confirmed he’s got multiple lawsuits, paternity claims, and his new wife is draining him dry. He’s running out of money and pride.”
“Good,” Calil muttered. “Let him drown in both.”
Before I could reply, Caleb’s gaze shifted past me, and his eyebrows shot up.
“Uh, Calla?” he said carefully. “Speaking of thick ass Amiyah, isn’t that her over there?”
I turned. And sure enough, in a booth across the room sat Amiyah, with him, the bum ass ex-boyfriend who treated her like shit during one of the most devastating times in her life, Jason Anderson, in the flesh, looking smug and unworthy as ever.
My stomach dropped, then twisted into something sharper.
“Breathe,” James murmured beside me, sensing the shift in my energy.
“I’m fine,” I lied, already standing.
Calil whispered to Caleb, “She’s about to not be fine.”
I walked straight across the room, heels clicking against the tile, every head turning just enough to know something was about to happen. Amiyah spotted me mid-sentence, her eyes widening, while her ex had the nerve to smile.
I leaned down, close enough for my breath to brush her ear.
“You have ten minutes, mmmm scratch that, five, to wrap this up, get your ass in your car, and head to my place, where the doorman will let you up. When you get there, I want you completely naked, on your knees. If you’re not gone in five, I will spank my pussy and ass so hard you won’t be able to sit through a staff meeting for a week. Clear?”
Her mouth parted in shock, then something else flickered, recognition, unbridled heat, arousal, and most importantly, obedience. She nodded her head up and down as I grabbed her chin and kissed her extremely nasty. “Good girl,” I said before turning to walk away.
I straightened, gave Jason a look cold enough to frost glass, and walked back to my table like nothing happened.
Caleb and Calil were staring at me, eyes wide, trying and failing not to laugh.
Caleb spoke first. “So… I’m guessing that wasn’t a friendly reunion?”
“More of a motivational talk,” I said smoothly, contacting my doorman to let him know to expect Amiyah and let her up before setting my phone on the table and opening the timer app.
James was already smirking. “You really just set a timer?”
“Yes.” Beep. “Five minutes.”
Calil was wheezing. “Oh my God, she’s serious.”
“Deadly,” Caleb said, grinning. “We should start the countdown music.”
The timer ticked down while we tried to eat, though it was impossible with my brothers’ running commentary.
Calil: “Three minutes! You think she’s gonna make it?”
Caleb: “She’s folding that napkin like she’s signing a peace treaty. She’s scared.”
When the timer hit zero, my phone chimed, sharp and sweet.
I glanced toward the booth just in time to see Amiyah stand, grab her bag, and all but sprint toward the door, not even stopping to speak to us or James.
Her ex sat there looking confused and more than a little terrified, and that’s the way I preferred it.
Caleb doubled over laughing. “Yo! She really left on the bell!”
Calil was wiping tears. “Nah, she knows better. I love her already.”
Even James couldn’t hold it together, his laugh deep and warm. “Uh oh,” he said between chuckles. “Looks like my girl’s about to have her first real encounter with The Dahlia herself.”
We finished our drinks, packed up our food, stood, and I grabbed James by the hand, “Come on, Carter. We have a date with obedience.”
Caleb whistled low. “You’re terrifying, sis.”
“Efficient,” I corrected as I chuckled.
James just laughed, tossing a few bills on the table as we headed out. “Pray for me, fellas.”
Calil raised his glass in salute. “Always do, bro. Always do.”
As we stepped out into the cool night, the city lights glittered around us, and James slipped his hand into mine. “You know,” he said, “you’re a little scary when you’re protective.”
“Good,” I said, smiling. “Then I’m doing it right.”
And with that, I headed toward my car. I was still The Black Dahlia at heart, and Amiyah was about to learn what happened when you were a bad girl. James was grinning like a man who loved the fire rather than feared it.