Chapter 16 #2
“Let me handle that. Text me your grandmother’s address, and I’ll have someone get everything this evening.”
Her brows wrinkled and eyes watered, that time from gratitude, not sadness. “Are you sure, bae?”
“Positive, sweetheart.”
“Okay. Just let me know how much it’ll cost and—”
“Get off my phone before you insult me, Dru.”
“Oop. Yes, sir,” she replied with a light laugh.
“And since you aren’t used to dealing with a man like me, I’ll tell you now that you should never be consumed by stress or frustration. You really don’t even have to think and try to figure shit out on your own if you don’t want to. Whatever you need, I’ll take care of. Do you understand?”
“Mm, yes, sir,” she moaned, squeezing her thighs together. Because the truth of the matter was, the more Caden showed up for her and took care of her, the more she craved him. Respected him. Felt herself wanting to love him.
“Good girl. I’ll let you know when they’re on the way.”
“Okay. Thank you.”
“Always.”
Caden disconnected the call, and Dru held the phone to her heart for a while as she smiled. When she opened her eyes, she told Ian, “Thank you.”
“Huh?” He looked at her through the rearview mirror before smiling himself.
“I said thank you.”
“You’re welcome, Ms. Dru.”
“Just Dru.”
“Got it.”
Relaxing in her seat, Dru looked out of the window as the peace she felt before she interacted with her mother returned. After texting Dreya and telling her she was on her way, Dru decided to take a quick nap. Dealing with Tina for just that short amount of time had drained her.
It took a little convincing, but eventually, Sidney agreed to let Dru cook that night.
She wanted to do something special for Caden.
Ever since they met, he’d been showing up for her in big ways.
Buying him flowers, setting up a romantic scene in the dining room and his bedroom, and cooking for him seemed like a small but special way to show her appreciation.
Like Caden said he would, he hired a four-man crew to pack up her and Dreya’s things, and they’d had everything packed and dropped off at his place and her grandmother’s all within a four-hour window.
Tina called cursing her out, and at that point, Dru blocked her number.
She felt as if she could never win with her mother, and that kind of lack of satisfaction and disrespect had no place in her life anymore.
By the time she’d gotten her things set up in the guest room, Caden called, as if he knew what she was up to.
He told her it was cool if she used that room as her dressing room and closet, but he still wanted her in his bed every night.
Caden had no idea. That was exactly where she wanted to be too.
As Dru looked herself over in the mirror, the alarm system chimed, letting her know Caden had arrived.
Her eyes scanned the blue silk gown and fluffy heels one last time before she made her way out of the room.
Her heart raced, but that time from excitement, as she descended the stairs.
Not only could she not wait to see Caden, but she couldn’t wait for him to see what she’d done for him.
“Wow,” he muttered at the bottom of the staircase as he stared at her, and quite frankly, she could have said the same in response to seeing him. It felt like ages had passed since she’d seen him that morning, and she forgot how good he looked.
The blue suit he had on looked so good against his cinnamon-brown skin. It may have been his favorite color in general, but it was her favorite color to see him in.
“My favorite color on my favorite girl,” Caden complimented, wrapping her in his arms.
“I picked it just for you.”
“Mm,” Caden moaned within his throat before tilting her head and kissing her lips.
When Dru felt her nipples harden and chill bumps cover her arms, she gently pushed him away. “I got something for you,” she purred, using his hand to lead him toward the dining room.
“Oh yeah? What is it?”
“You’ll see.”
When they made it to the dining room and Caden saw what she’d done, his jaw literally dropped.
Dru looked from him to the room, smiling in pride.
There was a large bouquet with three dozen red roses in the center of the table.
Several candles lined the table, and there were a few in the corners of the dining room as well.
October London played softly in the background, and the lighting was low, accentuated with red mood lighting she’d picked up on the way in.
“You did this for me?” Caden asked, apparently in disbelief.
“Yes. I know it’s not a lot, but I just . . . wanted to say thank you for everything you’ve done for me and my sister. You’re so kind and giving, and your heart is so pure. I’m blessed to have met you.”
“You didn’t have to thank me for anything I’ve done, but I do love and appreciate this, beautiful. I’m kind of peeved you got me that big ass bouquet though.”
“Why?” she asked through her laughter as Caden pulled her chair out for her.
“Because the biggest gangster gives the biggest bouquets. And whoever gives the biggest bouquet cares the most.” With a lowered tone, as if he was talking to himself, Caden added, “I’ma have to get a bigger bouquet for you tomorrow,” with a serious expression that only made her laugh harder.
“Who the hell made that rule?”
“OGs, baby. Just go along with it.” Dru laughed as he sat down. “Nah, but seriously, that’s a quote from one of my favorite movies.”
“Oh. A Bronx Tale, right?”
“Right.”
“I bet you watched all the mafia and gangster movies growing up, huh?”
“Damn right. Even with me growing up in the hood, I never thought I’d be who I am, you know? Shit just kind of happened. I was so good at selling weed as a teenager and in college that I just upgraded after I graduated.”
“Do you plan on being a part of The Syndicate forever?”
Caden considered her question carefully as she fixed his plate.
“Not forever. Making seven figures was the game plan, and then I said I’d leave. Now I want eight figures before I leave.”
“Do you really think you’ll leave then? I feel like since money is unending, it’s kind of hard to be satisfied when you have financial goals.”
“You’re absolutely right,” Caden said, pouring them both a glass of wine.
“I think I’ll be satisfied with that. It’ll be more than enough for me and the generations of our kids and their kids that will come.
More than anything, I feel like I didn’t retire when I hit a million because the business had become so large, and so many people depended on me.
Now, I know I have to have an exit plan.
With what I do, I can’t just up and quit.
There’s a lot of moving parts and people relying on me and the money they make working for me.
So by the time I become a billionaire, I will have had enough time to get an exit plan in place. ”
“Good. I’d never try to change you, and I accept you as you are, but I can’t lie and say it’s not scary thinking about falling in love with a man who does something illegal.
Like, I’m not a punk bitch, so I’ll be down for you, but the thought of losing my man in a street war or to prison for the rest of his life . . . that’s a lot.”
“I like that you’re finally acknowledging that I’m your man,” he started, making her blush before she took a sip of her wine, “and I hear what you’re saying. That fear is valid and fair, and it’s something my parents struggle with too.”
“But you don’t?”
“Nah. When it’s my time, it’s my time. Whether I die from a bullet, an accident, or a heart attack.
And as far as prison is concerned, this is the life I’ve chosen to live.
I have to be just as okay with the consequences as I am with the rewards that come from the choices I make.
It’s all about making sure I’m careful and that I never have to deal with the consequences. ”
He said it so simply she couldn’t help but smile as she rubbed the back of his neck. “Mr. Gambler,” she teased, making him chuckle. “Just make sure you don’t leave me any time soon.”
“I won’t. Now that I got you, it’s going to take a hell of a lot more than some bars and walls to keep me away from you.”
Their lips connected, and his assurance made it a little bit easier for Dru to trust and feel safe with him.