Chapter 11
“ H e’s just so perfect, Salima,” I said, looking down at my nephew in awe.
Liam Elias Dillinger.
It was crazy how much he looked like his big-headed ass daddy. It was like Deuce spit him out, and Salima was just the incubator. They’d been home for four days now. Baby boy was so loved. Darlyn wanted to be close to him at all times. She insisted that he was her baby.
“To think he almost ripped me open,” she said, turning on her side.
“To think your water broke in my damn living room. I’m sending you the bill to have my floors cleaned.”
She giggled. “Send it to my husband. Hey, aren’t you and Quaid hanging out tonight?”
“We are. I’m headed over when I leave here. I just had to see this cutie pie.”
“Liam wants to know when he’s getting some little cousins from you.”
“Say what now? You forgot I’m single and a virgin?”
She laughed. “You won’t be either much longer.”
“If your husband or his brothers have anything to do with it, I will be,” I said, rolling my eyes.
“They love you, Jaeda. Maybe their methods are madness, but you are close to their heart.”
I thought about the night they infiltrated the end of my date.
I was a mixture of pissed, embarrassed, and turned on because Quaid didn’t back down.
I knew any man I ended up with long term couldn’t be a punk when it came to my brothers.
It just would never work. They weren’t going to let up on him, and he couldn’t let up on me if he really wanted me.
The only way to get respect from the men in my family was to earn and demand it.
My thoughts drifted to the conversation I had with Steel. He’d invited me over the other morning to have breakfast at his house. To know Kerrion Jamel Dillinger was to know that food was his love language and him cooking was a peace offering.
We’d eaten in silence for at least ten minutes before he spoke.
“I apologize for the way we ambushed you,” he said, setting his fork down.
I looked up from my plate and sat back, crossing my arms.
“Why was that necessary, Kerrion?”
“Jae, . . . we love you, okay? We know you can handle yourself, but if shit went left with ol’ dude and he turned out to be a snake, we’d never forgive ourselves for not seeing that shit sooner.
If something happened to you, that would kill me, Jaeda.
You’ve always been my best friend. When our siblings were with their mamas, it was always you and me till Kalia and Jaiden came along.
You’ve been by my side through every part of my life.
Even though I can depend on our brothers to have my back, you were always my sounding board and voice of reason, even if I didn’t take your advice. ”
He paused for a moment, seemingly gathering his thoughts. That was how I knew shit was about to get sentimental.
He sighed. “I guess . . . I don’t want somebody to take you away from us in any sense. Who’s to say you won’t fall in love, get married, and decide to leave the family business and the compound? What if you don’t want your kids around this mad ass world we live in?”
My face softened as I reached out to grab his hands.
“Nobody can ever take me away from this family, Kerrion. Are y’all crazy and work my fucking nerves?
Absolutely. But I love y’all. Even if my last name changes, there is no me without the Dillingers.
But y’all can’t run off any potential man I might meet.
That’s not fair. Y’all went off my initial energy with Quaid, but it’s not like that anymore.
I like him, . . . like really like him. He’s been very sweet and intentional with me.
I feel like y’all would like him if you gave him a chance. ”
He shrugged. “I mean, I don’t dislike the nigga.”
I gave him a look. “You don’t like him either.”
“ Look. Why don’t we extend him an olive branch? I’ll talk your brothers into inviting him out with us one night.”
“You know if he goes, Titan is going. If I was a man and I didn’t know you, I wouldn’t trust myself alone with y’all either. Maybe this will be a chance to get to know both of them.”
“I don’t know about that, Jae. ”
“You scared?”
“Fuck no! You play too damn much.”
I laughed. “Just promise me y’all will behave.”
“You’re asking for a lot.”
“I’m asking for the bare minimum. If you love me, you’ll try.”
He promised he would try and that he would attempt to get our brothers on board. That was all I could ask for. This could go great or go very wrong. If Quaid didn’t want to go, I wouldn’t push him, because I knew those niggas. This was a setup waiting to happen.
I stayed with Salima and Liam a little while longer. By the time I got ready to go, Deuce was back from the store, and Mama Stephanie and Mr. Alec were with him. I gave them some love and went about my business.
I sent Quaid a text that I was on my way, and he sent his address and the code for the building.
We didn’t talk about how he was living, but I knew this address was to these expensive, luxury high-rise apartments downtown.
I’d never been in them, but from pictures alone, I knew they had a spectacular view.
I pulled into the parking lot twenty minutes later and got out. After keying in the code, I made my way inside and up to the fourteenth floor. The closer I got to his door, the more my nerves shifted into overdrive. My palms were sweaty, and suddenly, I felt hot all over.
I had to swallow it all down the moment the door opened, and Quaid stood there with a smile. He looked so handsome in a simple collared shirt and slacks.
“How did you—” I started but stopped when he pointed to the camera above the door. I slapped my forehead. “Of course you have a camera.”
He chuckled. “Come on in.”
He opened the door wider, allowing me entry.
I stepped in, very impressed with his layout.
The space had an open concept. A short walk led to the huge kitchen on the right with a dining space directly in front of it.
Floor-to-ceiling windows ran the length of the living room and led out to a spacious balcony.
The space was tastefully decorated in shades of black, white, and hunter green. Black and white photos of some of my favorite anime characters served as the artwork on the walls. The whole space was very him from what I knew of him.
“This is nice,” I said, turning to face him.
“Thank you.”
I caught a whiff of something delicious, and my stomach immediately growled.
“What is that smell?” I asked, floating behind him to the kitchen.
“Braised short ribs, mashed potatoes, green beans, and a garden salad. Everything is almost ready to plate. You want some wine?”
“Sure.”
He went to the fridge and grabbed a bottle, then to the cabinet for two glasses. I took a moment to admire him as he poured us a serving before handing it to me.
“Thank you,” I said softly.
“You’re welcome.”
I watched him for a moment, contemplating my next move. Even though I’d spoken to him every day this week, I missed him. I missed the way I felt in his presence.
“Something wrong?” he asked, looking over the rim as he took a sip from his glass.
“No. It’s just . . . I missed you, and I was kind of expecting a different greeting.”
He chuckled as he set the glass down. “Come here, baby.”
I placed my glass next to his and moved into his space. His hands came to the sides of my face, and he leaned in, pressing a sweet kiss to my lips. As his tongue greeted mine, I savored the taste of the wine he’d just consumed. His hands dropped from my face and slid around my waist.
A subtle grip of my ass caused a moan to fall between us.
Shit! I just knew the seat of my panties were soaked at this point.
I could already feel my nipples straining against the lacy fabric of my bra.
When my clit started throbbing, I had to pull away from him.
This man was fucking dangerous. I wanted nothing more than to offer myself up to him as a living sacrifice.
“Better?” he asked.
“You could get me into trouble,” I said, wagging my finger at him.
He smirked. “I wouldn’t do anything to you that you aren’t ready for or want. Right now, all I want is to feed you.”
I blushed. “Okay.”
“Go on and take a seat at the table. I’ll bring the food over.”
I nodded, grabbed my wine, and turned to walk away.
He gave my ass a light smack, and it made me giggle like a schoolgirl.
I made myself comfortable at the table, watching as he moved around plating our dishes.
It wasn’t long before he was seated next to me with a delicious aroma floating between us. After a quick prayer, we dug in.
That first bite of the short ribs made me close my eyes and pulled a moan from me.
“Oh. My. God. You sure you cooked this?”
He laughed. “I’m offended. Of course, I cooked it. I told you I can throw down.”
“This is amazing. You may give my grams a run for her money.”
“You want me to have smoke with that lady before I even meet her?”
It was my turn to laugh. “Grams is chill. She hasn’t put her gangsta hat on in a long time.”
“Wait, so she was in the streets too?”
“Right at my grandfather’s side. They had that whole Bonnie and Clyde thing going.”
“Ahhh, so that’s where Maceo and Shar get it from.”
“You know what? That makes sense. They learned their lesson, though. Right now, all they care about is being mommy and daddy to that beautiful baby.”
“Speaking of babies, how’s the new addition coming along?”
My smile widened. “He’s an angel. I was just over there before I came here. I can’t believe my brothers are fathers. If you knew them before, you’d understand.”
He chuckled. “Things change when you meet your person.”
I nodded in agreement. “They do. I know they are a handful, but the way they love their wives and children is beautiful. I never saw it coming for them. Steel, maybe. But those other three? Hell no.”
“What makes him different?”