Chapter 22 Dreaux Davis
dreaux davis
. . .
“What do you think?” Tech asked as we walked out of the meeting with our new potential supplier.
We hopped on a flight to LA to meet with a cat named Lucci this morning.
Truth recommended him to me when I hit him up and explained my situation with Belleza.
He and Justice gave me an earful about how I needed to make better decisions, and I had no choice but to take it.
I fucked up the moment I gave Belleza the dick.
I thought it would be harmless at the time, but I now knew how wrong I had been.
“He seems legit, and his prices are good. Now the only thing we need to do is figure out how to get away from this bitch, Belleza.” I reached out to Raphael and Manuel to let them know I needed to speak with them when it was time for them to get this last payment.
“We’ve got to make sure everything is on the up and up with the final costs so we don’t have any issues. Belleza is dangerous, but she’s not the only one with shooters behind her. If it has to come to a war, then that’s what it’ll be,” Tech declared.
“A war isn’t something any of us needs. Not only will it be messy, but our families could also be put in jeopardy.
I tried to reason with her, but she ain’t tryna hear it.
I don’t have a choice but to put a plan into action because I can’t risk her retaliating against the people I love.
Belleza has lost her mind, and I’m not playing these games with her. ”
I had been losing sleep for months over the bullshit with Belleza.
She was trying to fuck with me by sending pictures of my sisters and Peace while they were out in the city.
She wanted to send a message to let me know she was in control, because she thought she would get her way.
Little did she know, she had unlocked the beast, and I wouldn’t stop until she was destroyed.
Tech and I hopped on the flight back home, and I slept most of the way there.
My mind had been on high alert for months, so I needed the rest. As soon as I touched down, I planned to go see my baby girl.
We had been gone for four days, and that was too long for me.
Promise called my phone every day asking when I would be returning it, broke my heart every time I disappointed her with my answer.
My little girl had my entire heart on lock, and there was no getting it back.
Messiah and Loyal rubbed it in my face because they told me on multiple occasions how much having a child would change me, and I refused to believe them.
My whole outlook on life shifted the moment I found out she was mine.
All I could think about was how I wanted to give her the life I never had, and that I never wanted her to go through life without me.
As much as I loved the street shit, I made a decision that I would be getting out in a few years.
Once I made sure Tech and the crew were ready, I set up all my businesses.
That was part of the reason I brought Tech with me: I wanted his face out front when it came to making these deals.
I never thought I would consider this, but Promise gave me the motivation I needed.
The moment I made it back to the city, I headed right over to Justice’s. house. Unbeknownst to Peace, I placed a tracking device on both of her cars. She could act funny all she wanted, but I needed to know where my family was at all times.
When I pulled up, I sat in the car for a moment to get my thoughts together.
Outside of Justice and Truth, no one in the family knew about what was going on.
I was debating whether to tell the fellas, but only because I wanted them to be on alert.
Only a fool would underestimate his opponent, and I was far from a fool.
If Belleza could kill Daisy with no remorse, there was no doubt in my mind that she would have no issues hurting someone close to me.
I retrieved my gun from the glove compartment and tucked it into my waistband. It was better to be safe than sorry, and I wasn’t taking any chances.
The smell of food caught my attention as soon as I got to the door.
I spoke to Justice when I boarded my flight, so I knew he wasn’t there because he had to volunteer at another boys and girls club.
Based on the cars parked outside, I assumed it was a gathering for the ladies.
It didn’t deter me in the slightest because I needed to lay eyes on my family.
“Dreaux. What’s up, bro?” Ciyani greeted me with a hug and then stepped aside so I could come in.
“What’s good, sis?”
She gave me a mischievous smirk, and I laughed because I already knew she was on good bullshit.
“What are you doing here? You must be here to see your wifey, huh?” The grin on her face spread even wider at the mention of Peace.
“When did you start being messy? I knew Janae’s ass would rub off on you one of these days.”
“I heard my name. What y’all talking about?” Janae asked as she switched her way into the foyer.
“Bro said I was becoming messy like you,” Ciyani snitched on me.
“Boy, fuck you. You’re damn right I’m messy, and my messiness is the reason you might have a chance to get your family back. You really should be thanking me,” Janae quipped.
“Well, if that’s the case, I might need to buy you something nice.”
“I prefer my appreciation in the form of Chanel or bundles. Whichever works best for you.”
“Y’all are something else. Where are my girls at?” I noticed Tyeis and Yaya in the kitchen, but I didn’t see any signs of Peace.
“She’s in the guest room upstairs putting on Promise’s bathing. The kids are all outside swimming, and she wanted to play with the kids,” Ciyani told me.
“Alright. Let me go up here and see my baby before she gets in the pool. You’d better tell Orion and Cartier to watch out for my baby. I don’t have a problem fighting those little niggas about my princess.”
“If you touch my little brother, I’m jumping in.
You might be like a brother to me, but you already know how I’m coming behind Cayden and Cartier.
I’ll jump right on that thick ass back of yours.
Don’t try me, Dreaux. Now, go up there and handle your business.
” Ciyani held her finger in my face as her last warning.
“I thought we were better than that.”
“We won’t be better until you make things right with our girl. I don’t know what you have going on, but I know the type of person you are. You might be a dickhead at times, but you’re a good man. You deserve your happy ending, too.”
Ciyani’s words made me uncomfortable, because a part of me felt defeated.
On top of dealing with the bullshit with Belleza, I had to deal with Peace being in a relationship.
As much as I tried to pretend I wasn’t bothered, it was fucking with my head.
I thought I would have time to fix things before she thought about dating, but time wasn’t on my side.
“I hear you, sis. I really do.”
I jogged up the stairs to find Peace and Promise.
It only took a few seconds to find them because I heard my baby’s voice as I walked down the hall. I didn’t bother to knock because I could tell she was running around.
“Where’s my pretty girl?” I called out as I stepped into the room.
“I wight here, daddy!” She leaped into my arms before I could bend over to pick her up. I rained kisses all over her face while she held onto my neck like a vice grip.
“I missed you so much.”
“I miss you more. See my shwim suit? It’s twolls.” Promise pointed out the characters on her bathing suit and told me their names, even though I already knew. I listened intently, though.
“What’s up, baby momma? How’ve you been?”
We hadn’t spoken much since I delivered her car. She tried to decline it, but I made it clear that she didn’t have a choice.
“I’m fine. I might regret saying this, but I’m happy you’re home. This little girl has been giving everyone hell since you’ve been gone. I told you were creating a monster, but you wouldn’t listen. Now, we all have to suffer when you decide to leave town. Next time, take her with you.”
“Hey! I not a monster, mommy.” Promise laughed because she knew she did whatever it was her momma said she did.
“My bad. I wasn’t planning to be gone so long, but I’ll make better accommodations next time.
Daddy doesn’t like it when his baby is sad.
” I kissed Promise’s cheeks, sending her into another fit of giggles.
The sound of her laughter gave me an indescribable peace.
I needed it with all of the chaos around me.
“Are you okay? You seem a little off,” Peace questioned.
I wasn’t sure how to answer her because the answer to her question was loaded.
“I’ve got a lot of shit on my plate. Nothing I can’t handle, though.”
“Daddy, don’t say shit. Dats a bad word.”
I turned my head to hide the grin on my face, but it was pointless.
“I’m sorry, pretty. I won’t say it again,” I lied.
“Knock. Knock.” Yaya’s little sister, Maleah, peered her head into the room.
“I’m sorry to interrupt, but Ciyani sent me up here to get Promise so y’all could talk.” I chuckled as Promise reached for her.
“Please, keep an eye on my baby. Don’t let her get in the big pool unless she has her floaties on,” Peace requested, handing the floaties over to Maleah.
“Of course. You don’t have anything to worry about. Dominique and Danae brought her one of those inflatable tubes to sit inside and float on top of the water. The only part of her in the water will be her legs.”
“My sisters are here?”
“Umm, yeah. They’re out back.” Maleah answered awkwardly, letting me know they must have told her about the situation between us.