Chapter 9
One Week Later
Instead of making his way directly to her, Caden took the time to go through the store and grab a few things for her. By the time he made it to her register, he had a teddy bear, three bouquets of roses, and a card. He took the time to write a personal message in the card.
Beautiful,
I commend the hustler in you. The loyalty. The way you show up for your sister no matter what. You’re the kind of woman a man craves the opportunity to show up for. To spoil. When you’re ready, if you’ll allow me, I’d love to step in and take over so you can live the soft life you deserve.
Caden
At the sight of him walking over to her, Dru smiled.
“Hi,” she spoke, avoiding his eyes like a schoolgirl with a crush.
“Wassup, beautiful?”
“This better be for your mama, because I know you’re not coming through my line buying this for another woman.”
“Oh, so you do like me?” Caden teased, making her laugh.
“I mean, I’m just saying. I thought you liked me, so unless this is for me, I’m going to look at you a little suspect.”
“It’s all for you. Check the card.”
Dru waited until she’d cashed him out to read the card. Her eyes watered as she pressed it to her heart.
“This is really sweet, Caden. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome, beautiful. I meant every word too.”
Releasing a sigh, she set the card up on her register so she’d be able to see the words.
“As flattered as I am, I’m really not in a space to date right now.”
“That’s cool. But I’m warning you now, if I see you again after I handle this shit for you today, you’re going to be mine.” Her smile lifted so high, her eyes almost sealed shut. “I’m heading to make the drop-off now. When it’s done, you won’t have to worry about Galloway anymore.”
Ignoring the small line of people waiting, Dru walked around and hugged Caden.
He took full advantage, wrapping his arms around her and relishing in the soft warmth of her body against his.
She smelled good—edible. It took everything in Caden not to hold her close and never let her go when her body relaxed against him.
Like she realized how comfortable she felt against him and didn’t like it, Dru quickly pulled away and put some space between them.
“Can you please call or text me and let me know when it’s done?”
“Of course.” Caden pulled his personal phone out and handed it to her so she could put her number inside.
Once it was saved, he said goodbye and headed out to handle business.
Dru could be as careful with her heart as she felt necessary.
Caden would take his time with his pursuit of her and prove himself worthy.
One day, she’d trust him to protect her heart, and when Caden had that responsibility, there was nothing he’d cherish and prioritize more.
If there was anything Caden had mastered with time, it was concentration, focus, and discipline. Intentionality. So when Galloway stared at him, as if he expected Caden to look away or back down, that amused him. Instead, he stared at the elder so easily, it was Galloway who looked away first.
When Caden requested to meet with Galloway, he initially declined.
It wasn’t until Caden assured him that it had nothing to do with his cousin that Galloway agreed.
Caden didn’t blame Galloway for being cautious.
It was no secret within The Syndicate that Caden had killed or ordered the deaths of men for less atrocious offenses than being a suspect in the kidnapping of his cousin.
Had it not been for the board of The Syndicate pleading for Galloway to be spared since there was no evidence confirming he was responsible for the kidnapping, Caden would have been killed him.
Now he just hated him and was waiting for a reason to take his life.
Depending on how the situation with Dru played out, he might have one.
“I guess I’m confused on what this has to do with you,” Galloway said. “This was Dru’s debt to pay—”
“And it’s paid.” Caden’s head bobbed toward the black duffel bag holding one hundred thousand dollars in it that he’d set on Galloway’s desk. “What is there to be confused about?”
“You fucking her?” Galloway asked with a crooked grin. “Got to be. That’s the only reason a man would drop six figures to save a woman when the situation has nothing to do with him.”
“That’s none of your concern.” Caden stood. “You asked her for ninety, and I gave you a hundred. You will not target or touch Dru or her sister. I don’t give a fuck what happens to their mother. If I so much as hear about you speaking to Dru, you’re going to have to deal with me.”
Galloway looked around the room with amusement dancing in his eyes and a smile. He looked at his men, as if they were supposed to put fear in Caden’s heart.
“That sounded like a threat, but that’s something I will never see you as, young blood.”
“Try me, and you’ll find out just how threatening I can be.”
Their eyes locked for five Mississippis before Caden, Niko, and Lorenzo walked out of the private room in the restaurant. Caden waited until they were outside to call Dru, and she answered on the first ring with, “Caden?”
“Yeah,” he confirmed with a smile. “It’s done.”