Chapter 6 Ayanna #2
The door clicked shut behind me, and Teo set my bags down. Crossing his arms, his eyes met mine. It wasn’t lacking his typical intense look. “What about that lil’ situation? You handle that?”
I sucked my teeth. “Yes, daddy.” I rolled my eyes, practically spitting the word. “I broke up with Corey.”
I moved over to the table, grabbed the remote, and switched on the TV. I wasn’t really trying to watch anything, but I needed the background noise to fill the awkward silence that was sure to follow.
“Daddy, huh?”
The way he said it had my cheeks burning. The slow, sexy smirk that covered his face let me know he liked that shit.
What the fuck is wrong with me?
Turning away, I pretended to play with the remote, hoping he couldn’t see the warmth creeping up my neck. “Anyway,” I muttered, trying to keep my tone steady, “what now, Teo? I don’t have it in me to argue with you today. It’s been a long night.”
Teo stepped in closer, turning me to face him, his gaze softening. “I’m not here to fight. Just here to make sure we can come to a mutual understanding.” He paused, his eyes serious as he added, “Starting with you being in New York.”
“New York?” I almost snapped. I was slowly considering the marriage, but moving. Absolutely the fuck not. “Teo, I’m not about to uproot my entire life. I have a business to run, staff and clients that depend on me. I’m not abandoning it.”
He shook his head, his voice just a bit softer.
“You’re not abandoning anything, Amore. You’ll keep your spot here in Atlanta.
I’ve got a few places for you to check out in Manhattan.
Once you pick your spot, it’ll be your second location.
You get to keep what you built here. And you still get to do what you’re passionate about in your new home.
” He let that settle in. “This marriage doesn’t mean you lose yourself, Yanna. ”
He waited, like he always did when I got worked up. Allowed me to process his words, to work through my emotions before expecting an answer.
“A second location?” I searched his face, surprised but still skeptical. “And who’s paying for said spot?”
Teo raised an eyebrow, his expression deadpanned. “Who do you think?”
“Right.”
He let his gaze sweep over my face as he added, “Consider it a wedding gift, if that helps.”
I scoffed, placing a hand on my hip. “A second boutique sounds generous, but that’s twice the work, Teo. I’m stretched thin with one location.”
I paced the floor, trying to wrap my mind around all of this new information.
Yesterday, my only concern in life was making sure my clients were happy, and living my little quiet life.
Today, I am engaged to this infuriatingly handsome man, and being forced to move from my home.
Atlanta was my safe place. I had built my dreams from the ground up here, and the thought of leaving it behind, even partially, was frightening.
He stepped closer, his tone both firm and almost... tender. “That’s why you’ll have a manager here to run things. I’m not saying you should give up control — you just don’t have to do it alone.”
I inhaled sharply, when his hands settled on my hips, stopping me from pacing the floor. His touch was as familiar as it had always been disarming.
“And you’re okay with me flying back and forth? What if I don’t want a detail tagging along?” I motioned toward the window where his enforcers waited outside.
Teo’s voice dropped, leaving no room for argument. “That part’s non-negotiable. Wherever you go, so do they. Your detail will be small, and you’ll barely notice.” He looked me square in the eyes, his voice hard. “You’re going to be my wife, Ayanna. And keeping you safe isn’t up for debate.”
We held each other’s gaze, his unyielding stare daring me to push back, even as a smile tugged at the corner of my lips. Deep down, maybe I liked this version of Teo more than I’d ever admit.
“Of course it’s not,” I murmured, conceding to his terms, at least for now. “Why are you like this.”
He grinned, before catching me off guard, slipping his arm around my waist and pulling me close. “Because you like it. We’re going to be good together, Amore mio.” His voice was soft but sure. “You gotta trust me on this.”
The softness of his words left me reeling.
The closeness had me feeling things beyond friendly, and the sweet and spicy scent of cinnamon made me want to melt into him.
As much as I hated to admit it, I trusted him with my life, even if I didn’t fully trust the circumstances we found ourselves in.
But I couldn’t let myself get too caught up. I was still angry about all of this.
“I’m still mad at you,” I mumbled from his embrace, my voice muffled against his chest.
“I know.” His arms tightened around me. “And I hate it too. I promise I’ll make it right.”
Something about his words softened me, even if it wasn’t an apology. He held me until our breathing was in sync, then pulled back just enough to look at me. “Now.” His tone shifted and his gaze was intense. “I got some important shit we need to discuss.”
I nodded, feeling the gravity of whatever he wanted to talk about.
He sat on the nearby couch, pulling me down with him.
Should I have fought him over how he held me in his lap?
Perhaps, but the truth was, the position felt surprisingly comforting, though I’d never thought we’d end up here like this.
After making sure I was settled, the palm of his hand rested on my abdomen.
It was both protective and possessive as he began to explain what had happened with Roland and his connection with my father’s enemy Orlando.
I still didn’t quite understand who Orlando was or how he fit into all of this, or why anyone would want to hurt me.
But the sharp angles in Teo’s face, and tight jaw, told me everything I needed to know.
“And you’re sure it’s... my Roland?” I asked, racking my brain, trying to remember the last time I saw Roland. It had been years. And, even then, our time together had been brief.
“He’s not your anything, Amore.” Teo’s eyes flashed with something dark, and I knew I probably could have phrased that a little better, but I shrugged it off.
“You know what I meant. What does kidnapping me accomplish? I don’t even have anything to do with the family business.”
Teo’s gaze was unflinching. “Your name alone holds weight. You’re Samuel Reed’s daughter, Bash’s sister, and my fiancé.
That makes you incredibly important to three of the most dangerous men on the East Coast.” His free hand traced lightly along my hand that rested over his arm.
“You may not realize it, but you hold so much power. Orlando knows taking you doesn’t just hurt one family. It declares war on all of us.”
I exhaled slowly, trying to process this information. This was a lot. Which was part of the reason I stayed far... far away from their world, which has inconveniently become my world.
“You know for a fact that it’s those two behind the kidnapping.”
“Roland — yes. Orlando? Still to be determined."
“And what does that mean?”
“That Roland hasn’t given me much more than what I pieced together yesterday. He’s just a pawn, following directions blindly. His information only confirms that he’s related to Orlando through marriage.”
Leaning my head back against his chest, I angled it so I could see his face clearly, his expression revealing nothing. While it was reassuring that he maintained complete control over his emotions, it was a tad unsettling at the same time. He’d kill without hesitation if it meant protecting me.
“Well, if he’s related to the enemy, then it’s gotta be them, right? Financing it?”
“Possibly. I haven’t ruled it out. Trust me, I’ve already got someone looking for the Moccasins.” He said their last name with so much disdain. “If it’s Orlando, he’ll be handled. But if it’s not... I can’t take any chances with you. I won’t leave you unprotected.”
I took a breath, the harsh reality hitting me hard. “And you’re sure me being in New York is the answer?”
“It’s the safest option,” he said without hesitation.
“I can handle finding who is behind this, but I need to know you’re safe.
And I can’t keep you safe in another state.
If you want a place here, I’ll buy us a home in Atlanta, and we can come and go, but you staying here alone. .. nah, that’s not happening.”
I paused, swallowing hard. There wasn’t any fighting his logic. As much as I hated admitting it, he was probably right. “So, how long do I have to get everything in order?”
He smiled, and approval filled his eyes. “We’ll leave next week.”
I felt the resistance melting as he pulled me in closer. His fingers traced the column of my neck, before settling just at the base. His touch was comforting against my skin. His gaze soft as he spoke.
“I’m not looking for a trophy wife, Ayanna. I want a partner. I’m not trying to restrict you, I’m trying to protect you. Once I take care of this threat, you can have all the freedom you want. But until then, I need you to trust me.”
I didn’t even realize I was holding my breath until he leaned in, his lips brushing against my forehead instead of my lips as I anticipated. My heart stuttered, but my hopes quickly dissipated when he hadn’t kissed me.
Did I want him to kiss me? I wasn’t sure, but I did know I felt a pang of disappointment when he didn’t.
Teo’s eyes flashed with that knowing look, a tiny grin covered his features. “Go change,” he stood placing me on my feet. “We have somewhere else to be.”
And just like that, I knew it was going to be easy to get caught up in all things Teo. I just hoped I could handle whatever New York had in store for me.