Chapter 53
Above The Noise, Deep in the Night
he heavy double doors of the Silk Hotel clicked shut behind me, sealing in the chaos of that place.
I didn't want any parts of it anymore. Midas well say it straight: that nigga moves weight and hoes out of those rooms like it is a legitimate corporation.
He’s built quite the program, and it brings in a staggering amount of money, but the drama that follows him isn't worth the paper it’s printed on.
Back at home, the tension from the night before had finally given way to a heavy, comfortable quiet.
I sat on the living room couch, lighting a fat-ass blunt and passing it to my grandfather, Socorro.
Surprisingly, he and Junie were getting along like old friends.
He even gave her a sharp nod of approval—complete with a fist bump—for standing her ground and throwing hands for her man.
Watching Socorro grin made me realize something fundamental about him: the man thrives on absolute bullshit.
Give him adrenaline, chaos, and a ticking clock, and he’s in his element.
"Well, Junie," Socorro chuckled, smoke curling around his weathered fingers. "You might actually be the right kind of crazy for Don. I feel like you love him in your own deeply fucked-up way."
Junie threw her head back and laughed hard as shit.
"I do, though," she said, leaning forward. "Ain't no other bitch getting her hands on my man. Did y'all seriously see how good he looked last night?"
Golden burst out laughing, shaking her head from the armchair. "Was that before or after my man had to physically pull your little ass off that other girl?"
"She triggered me!" Junie defended herself, her eyes flashing. "He was sitting right there smiling while she was openly rubbing his thigh!"
I cut in, checking my watch and ready for the subject—and her—to exit my living room. "So, when are you actually going home to your man?"
Junie froze, her gaze locking onto Golden. "I thought you said I was always welcome here, Gold."
Tammy shot me a sharp, defensive mug from across the room. "Girl, you know anywhere I am, you're welcome. Clo just means he thinks it's about time you and Don made up. It's been two and a half weeks since you've stayed at that house."
"Give me a week, y'all," Junie sighed, sinking back into the cushions. "I should be approved for my own apartment by then."
"Apartment?" Me and Clo said in unison, our eyebrows shooting up.
"I love Don," she mumbled, staring at the floor, "but we need our actual space for real."
"What happened that was so bad you refuse to live with him?" I asked, trying to keep my tone level. I wanted to get the straight facts rather than jumping to wild conclusions.
"He's feeling entirely too red lately. Didn't you see him last night?" She pressed, clearly trying to steer the conversation away from her own mess.
"Yeah, right," I scoffed. "Like the time he didn't give Red a million dollars for her birthday?"
Socorro kicked his feet up onto the coffee table, instantly intrigued. "Who gave who a million dollars?"
I decided to let it drop. Shaking my head, I stood up and headed upstairs to run a private virtual meeting with the guys.
We needed to keep our operations quiet, letting them lay low and think everything was sweet.
The nigga's birthday was next month anyway.
We just needed to make sure he died on it.
Once the meeting wrapped up, I found Golden and gave her a conspiratorial smile. "Go get dressed, baby. Put on something nice. I've got a surprise for you."
I realized earlier that I’d messed up by letting Junie sit in our living room all day, so I decided to pivot. I had a penthouse on the 53rd floor downtown—a property I usually used for Airbnb rentals, but tonight, I was keeping it entirely vacant for a private evening with my fiancée.
While she went upstairs to change, I suited up. I chose a black silk long-sleeve button-down shirt, crisp black Amiri jeans, and a heavy Cuban chain to finish the look.
When I finished, I sat downstairs waiting.
A few minutes later, the soft click of heels drew my eyes upward.
Golden descended the stairs wearing a deep burgundy dress that hugged her frame like a glove.
It was short, but striking—paired seamlessly with a YSL bag and classic gold heels. My girl looked breathtaking.
I took her hand, leading her out the front door into the cool night air.
Feeling the energy of the city, I unlocked my black-and-silver Rolls-Royce, and we glided through the downtown streets toward my building.
There was an upscale restaurant on the third floor where I’d made reservations the night before.
The host escorted us immediately to a private corner booth.
"May I get you guys started with anything?" our waitress asked, pad in hand.
"Can we get the gator bites as a starter?" I answered without missing a beat. "Lemonade for my lady, and I'll take a sweet tea."
Golden smiled warmly across the table. "Well, look at you ordering for me. You really do know me so well."
We leaned across the table and shared a deep, lingering kiss. The waitress returned shortly with our drinks and the hot appetizer, leaving us to talk about our future, our long-term goals, and how far we’d come together.
When it was time for the main course, I ordered the grilled flounder with asparagus and mac and cheese, while Golden chose the lemon-garlic salmon with broccoli and garlic mashed potatoes. We ate, laughed, and soaked in the rare, uninterrupted peace.
After settling the bill, I took her hand and led her past the main lobby toward the private elevator bank. I pressed the button for the 53rd floor, watching the numbers climb rapidly on the digital display.
When the doors slid open, I pulled out the master key. Tammy gave me a curious, questioning look, but kept quiet as I unlocked the heavy oak door and motioned for her to walk in first.
As soon as the door swung open, the smooth notes of Joe's All the Things drifted through the sprawling penthouse.
Golden stopped dead in her tracks, her eyes widening as she took in the space.
A lush trail of crimson rose petals led straight from the entryway through the living area and down the hall toward the master bedroom.
We walked slowly toward the back. The bedroom was bathed in soft, warm lighting, with a massive heart meticulously shaped out of fresh rose petals right in the center of the king-sized mattress.
From the bed, the trail continued directly into the master bathroom, where dozens of scented candles flickered against the marble counters.
A deep clawfoot tub was already drawn, filled to the brim with warm water, floating rose petals, two crystal wine glasses, and a chilled bottle of her favorite Chardonnay.
Without saying a word, Golden slipped out of her dress. I stripped off my shirt and jeans, and we stepped into the warm water together.
As Avant’s You and I played softly in the background, we sat in comfortable silence, letting the stress of the week melt away. I pulled her back against my chest, wrapping my arms around her waist as she rested her head over my heartbeat. We soaked like that for an hour.
Slowly, I pressed soft kisses down the side of her neck, earning a gentle, breathy moan. I looked down into her eyes.
"Stand up for me, baby," I whispered.
She stood up in the tub without hesitation, water cascading down her skin. I leaned my head back against the edge of the porcelain.
"Sit on my face," I murmured, watching her expression.
She shook her head, laughing lightly. "No way, baby. I'm not about to put all my heavy weight right on your face."
"Alright, turn around. Bend over the edge."
She complied immediately, resting her hands on the rim of the tub. I didn't waste any time, diving straight in and letting my tongue trace up her thighs before finding her center.
"Ooh..." she gasped, her hands gripping the porcelain edge.
I kept eating her out like she was my absolute favorite thing in the world. Honestly, she tasted as sweet as sugar.
"You taste so good, mama," I muttered, pausing for a brief breath before diving back in, pushing deeper.
She squatted down lower into the water, her knees trembling slightly as her legs began to give out from the intensity.
"That's why I told you to just have a seat right here on my face," I teased, pointing upward.
"Clo, I am not about to try and explain to your mama that her son died because he wanted me to drop my whole 265 pounds right on his face," she shot back, laughing so hard the water rippled around us.
"What a wonderful way to go," I chuckled, standing up and pulling her out of the tub.
I grabbed a plush towel, wrapped it around her, and walked her back into the dimly lit bedroom.
"Bend over. Put your hands flat on the edge of the bed," I instructed.
She did exactly as she was told, arching her back.
"Now get up on your toes."
I slid inside her in one fluid motion.
"Damn, daddy," she groaned, her voice thick with pleasure.
I started off with a steady, deliberate rhythm, deep and slow. She quickly caught my pace, pushing back against me to match every single thrust. Reaching out, I grabbed a handful of her wet hair, wrapping the strands securely around my fist to steady her.
I picked up the speed, drilling into her harder as the heat in the room spiked. I could feel her slick heat coating me completely.
"Fuck," I groaned, beating her rhythmically. "This is my pussy, right?"
"Yes, baby, it's yours," she panted breathily.
I pulled her head back gently by her hair, pressing a deep, passionate kiss to her lips while I continued to drive into her from behind.
"I love you, Clover," she whispered, her voice cracking slightly.
"I love you too, baby girl," I answered, my breathing heavy. "Listen... you're not in college anymore. It's time to finally get that birth control taken out. You're going to do that for me, right?"
"Yes, baby... anything," she moaned, losing herself to the friction.
"So you're going to have my baby?" I pressed, feeling her inner walls suddenly tighten around me as a shudder ran through her frame. I knew she was right on the edge.
A second later, as her sweet juices ran hot down my leg and her body crested over, I released deep inside her, the world outside fading away completely.