Chapter 37
Chapter Thirty-Seven
AHKEEM
The process of closing on the house in Staten Island went smooth.
We decided to keep the penthouse in the city just so we would have a spot out there to lean on instead of committing to the long-ass drive to Staten Island when we didn’t want to.
Shit was really on the up and up. Business was fucking booming.
I had my hands on each and every block in the city after knocking Silas’ bitch ass off.
Once word got back that Silas had been popped in his fucking hospital bed, a little part of me was expecting some static out in the city, but shit was quiet.
Whoever knew what the fuck went down knew my actions were warranted, and with the leverage I had, wasn’t nobody gonna test me.
I was glad that I could offer my wife a sense of peace by assuring her I handled all the shit that was once being hurled at us.
After everything she went through this year, she fucking deserved to live happily without having to look over her shoulder constantly.
I bit down on my bottom lip as I stepped into the room.
Jazzlyn had her stylist zipping her up into the Mugler dress that she ran around all over the city for.
Seeing her fitted in the dress made all the running around she did worth it.
She looked like money with her hair styled in a beautiful up-do and her flawless makeup.
“I gotta be the luckiest man on Earth.” I smirked as I leaned against the threshold of the door.
She looked down at herself while smoothing her hands over her curves. “You like?”
“I love it. Lovey, you look so fucking good.”
“Doesn’t she?” her stylist Derek piped in with a proud smile.
“Yeah, nigga, your little fee ain’t too bad if you make sure my wife look this good all the time.” I tapped his chest. Derek played for the other team, so my little light tap had him acting like I punched his ass right in the chest.
Jazzlyn busted out laughing and apologized to him. “I appreciate it, Derek. I’ll be sure to send you lots and lots of pictures. “
“Pleasure is all mine, darling.” He kissed Jazzlyn on both of her cheeks. “Mr. Hendrix, I have this amazing Prada suit that would look great on you,” he turned to me and said, trying to get hired again.
I chuckled. “Derek, get yo ass on. It look like I need a stylist? I put that shit on every time.” I smoothed my hands over my stone-gray suit and expensive overcoat I pulled from my closet.
“I know that’s right, baby!” Jazzlyn gassed me with a clap of her hands. “My man looks so fucking good.”
“Well, excuse me. You do look sharp,” Derek gave me my props.
“‘Preciate it, Derek. Don’t worry. You still gone get my money. You do right by my baby.” I dropped a kiss on Jazzy’s lips.
She thanked Derek once more before she walked him out. Time was ticking, and we had to make that lengthy-ass drive to the city. Why we decided to stay in the new house in Staten Island when we both knew she was gonna make us late was beyond me.
Tonight was the grand opening to Bar Remedy NYC.
Kross handed my baby the impossible, and she made it fucking happen.
The late nights, stress, and hard work all paid off.
I got the pleasure of doing a walk-through of the spot before the grand opening, and it looked fucking amazing.
They upheld the color scheme of Bar Remedy Miami with sultry hues of red, black and gold giving the perfect grown and sexy vibe.
With Bar Remedy, Jazzy was showing everybody she could step out of her element and expand her brand.
Club Reign was a turn up club, while Bar Remedy was more upscale and for the grown folks.
The fact that she could garner a guaranteed crowd for both just proved whatever she put her hands on turned into absolute greatness.
“Okay, we have to head out. I didn’t know I was this behind.”
“Baby, you always late. I think if you were on time, motherfuckas would be concerned,” I teased her as I rested my hands on her sides.
She smacked her lips. “Always being shady.”
“I’m just fucking with you.” I gripped her ass in my hands. “I’m proud of you, Jazzlyn, for real.”
“Aww, baby, thank you.”
“You made this shit happen in no time and ain’t let Club Reign shutting down get to you. Jazzlyn Kinza Hendrix just may be the Queen of the city after all.”
“Oh, I get that title now?”
“Hell yeah. If I’m the King, my lady gotta be the Queen. We running shit.” We dapped each other up.
In the car, she did her typical run of taking a bunch of selfies and videos while I ripped through the interstate to get us all the way to Manhattan.
When we pulled up, there were cars lined up all over the block.
Security was tight just in case motherfuckas wanted to try some shit.
I stopped my Cybertruck right in front of security before hopping out.
I made my way around and helped my baby out.
She stepped out in all her glory looking like she was ripped right off the front cover of La Gioia Magazine.
There were photographers out front who were already snapping pics of Kross and Remedy. “Aye, hold up! My partner in crime finally pulled up!” Kross hollered for Jazzy once he peeped her.
I smirked before letting go of her hand so she could go shine. Remedy and I cheered them on from behind the camera as they snapped photos at the entrance of the bar.
“Shout out to my eyes and ears out here. Couldn’t have done it without you, homie.” Kross clapped it up for her.
“Thank you for trusting me to execute the vision.” They dapped each other up before the photographers snapped a couple more pictures of them.
Kross called for Remedy to join him in front of the camera, and Jazzy did the same for me. “You look so handsome, Mr. Hendrix.”
I kissed her lips before smirking down at her. “You make me look better.”
That put a smile on her face, and she giggled like a little schoolgirl. I loved making her blush. My baby acted so hard out in the streets, so I took pride in knowing I was the only nigga who could get her to soften up.
What was intended to be a soft launch happened to be a grand opening.
The lounge was packed out, and Jazzy made sure to use her connections to get the hottest people in the city to come out.
Family was in the building, and it was special because it was the first time Jadey stepped out since having the twins, and Britain since having baby Eden.
The music was right, drinks were floating around, and the atmosphere was live.
The DJ announced Kross and Jazzy entered the building, and there was a wave of applause and cheers.
I stood admiring my baby as she and Kross gave their thanks to everybody for showing up.
“I’m a Miami nigga through and through, but Ahk kept talking ‘bout how his wife was the hottest club owner in New York, so I had to see what the hype was about,” he chuckled into the mic.
“You see it!” Jazzy popped her shit.
“I do. You fa ’sho made this shit happen.
Couldn’t have done it without you. ‘Preciate everybody for showing face. Shoutout to my gorgeous wife Remedy, who this lounge is named after. I hope Bar Remedy continues to live up to your name and expectations, shawty.” We all awed as Remedy mouthed, “I love you” in response to him.
He handed the mic over to Jazzy so she could give her speech.
“Thank you, everybody, for showing up. Bar Remedy is fresh and new, and I hope we can turn it up every night of the week. Special thank you to my man. You gassed me even when I felt like I couldn’t do it. Thank you for being my biggest supporter. Love you, Mr. Hendrix.”
Upon her mentioning me, Priest squeezed my shoulders, hyping me up.
“Love you too, Mrs. Hendrix.” I lifted my glass of whiskey to her, and she blew me a kiss, which I caught.
I took her hand and helped her off the stage, and we mixed and mingled with everybody.
“Jazzy, it is absolutely gorgeous in here! You did amazing!” Britain squeezed her in an embrace.
“Thank you, sis. You look so fucking good, Brit. You just had a baby where?” She lifted Brit’s hand above her head so she could do a spin.
“Alright, alright, not too fucking much. Niggas get to staring, and I might have to turn this bitch out,” Priest warned as he grabbed Britain by the waist, positioning her in front of him.
“Nigga, chill. Brit ain’t going nowhere. She signed to Death Row,” I teased him.
He laughed while dapping me up. “Damn right.”
J’Ru, Aja, Kaymen, and Jadey rolled up on us, congratulating my baby.
“This spot nice as hell, Jaz. Might have to do a little date night with Jadey,” Kaymen said.
“In like a month or two, right? I don’t know if I can be away from the twins back-to-back.” Jadey had an uneasy look on her face. I was sure her mind wasn’t thinking about nothing but the twins they left back at home with Kaymen’s mother.
He shook his head. “No, in like a week or two. We gotta prioritize us.”
“Kay’s right, Jadey. You deserve some time to kick it with your man without the babies. Just let me know when, and I’ll roll out the red carpet for you guys,” Jazzy encouraged her. Jadey was going through the whole first-time mom frenzy, which had her acting the complete opposite of Britain.
Now with two kids, Britain was ready to be outside and turn up.
While Jadey was counting down the seconds until she got back home to her babies, Britain was turned up, rapping along to Lil Baby’s song “Mrs. Trendsetter” back and forth with her husband.
She desperately needed a break and was taking full advantage of tonight.
Even Priest was turned up. I could tell being around his wife made him way more comfortable because he had a wide-ass smile on his face.