Chapter 9
MADDIE
I was sitting here minding my business, all in my head.
Not a single message from my mother. Not a single message from my father.
I finally broke down and called him just to be sent to voicemail.
Although I wasn’t hopeful, I left him a voicemail.
After a few days passed without him returning my call, I decided it was time to call my sisters.
My mother was still at my house, with no sign that she planned to leave.
Plus, she shopped nearly every week and was slowly compiling clothes in the guest closet.
Of course, my mother was always welcome in my home.
However, it seemed strange that she never even spoke about my father.
Calling Nati and Kara was the only option I had left. Neither of them had spoken to our father either. If it wasn’t for us being able to see him on his platforms, performing his duties, we’d surely think he was somewhere dead.
“Maddie, you’re the oldest. I think you should pop up on Dad and see what the hell is going on. Mama can’t stay with you forever,” Kara stated.
“Exactly,” Nati agreed. “You got a whole fine ass man on yo’ trail. She’s cramping yo’ style in the worst way.”
Although Baltimore and I were keeping things on the low, of course I had to tell my sisters about us.
“I don’t know,” I replied. “I’ve never popped on him before. He’ll think something is wrong.”
“Well, we think something is wrong, and as our big sister, we’re putting all the pressure on you to figure out what’s going on.”
Chuckling, I said, “Yeah, alright.”
After that phone call, my sisters checked in everyday to see if I’d made a move yet.
I hadn’t. Even when they called to wish me a happy birthday and ensure that I received the gifts they’d sent me, they were grilling me about whether or not I’d gotten the courage to make the damn trip to whatever city our father was in.
The fact was that I really appreciated my mother’s help around the house. A night like tonight was possible because she didn’t mind keeping Genesis. Still, I was ready for her to go home.
This was my first birthday without DJ here to celebrate with us. Often, I wondered if there was anything I could’ve done to save him. Then, I thought about how he so callously chose his father and himself over me and his baby sister. The thought made me sick to my stomach, so I left it alone.
Heir was all too excited to start school just to give her something to do.
Instead of going back to school out of the city, she decided to stay close.
On days when she didn’t have class, she stayed in her room.
That was okay because at least I could keep my eyes on her.
So far, my baby was managing. She was building a relationship with Genesis and that was all I could hope for.
A part of me had almost slipped into sadness for the lack of relationship I had with the woman who birthed me.
Then, Mayor Gladden appeared. At first, I thought to ignore him.
He wasn’t very pleasant and was a flirt.
However, Jahdi and Stacy were standing at my section entrance.
They wouldn’t stand for Gladden saying or doing anything sideways.
Plus, one look at Baltimore, and he came to my rescue with his fine ass.
He smelled so good standing next to me. I used his body as a shield of sorts. Gladden couldn’t keep his eyes off my breasts. The smell of liquor on his breath was so distinct I had to stop myself from gagging a few times.
“Baltimore Cooley,” the mayor uttered. “Your family owns Cooley & Brown Real Estate Firm. It’s been over a decade, but I remember you. Top three pitchers in the country. Guaranteed number one draft pick. What happened that you fell so far from stardom?”
Gladden’s snarky smile as he sized up Baltimore rubbed me the wrong way. Baltimore inserted himself between the mayor and me. I knew by the set of his jaw and the rigidness of his back that he wasn’t playing with the mayor.
“I get it, aight,” Baltimore started, “my boss is lookin’ good enough to eat.”
I nearly swallowed my next breath at Baltimore’s deep, soothing tone, and the words that spilled from his lips. Wide-eyed, I watched him maintain eye contact with Gladden as he continued.
“I can imagine you want to taste what’s between her thighs. You and every other nigga with a brain. I’m sure it tastes…good enough to die for. I’m sure it’s wet, tight, and the grip is surely worth every drop of nut it draws out of a nigga.”
The more Baltimore talked, the wider my eyes stretched, and the faster my heart beat. Describing my sex in such a way made her quiver and come alive as if he’d touched me there.
“With that being said,” he continued, “I’ma respectfully ask you to step. Ya presence is makin’ the missus uneasy.”
Gladden’s eyes narrowed as he and Baltimore visually tussled for supremacy.
For a second, I thought Gladden would continue to poke the bear.
Baltimore wasn’t the head of security for nothing.
His poise was a mask to the man who lay beneath.
Seconds passed before the mayor stalked off.
Not before he smirked and sized up Baltimore once again.
“I’m sorry about that,” I said to Baltimore.
“Stop it,” he shot back. His fingers touched my elbows, and he drew me closer to him. This was the most contact we’d ever had in front of anyone. “Do you need anything?”
“No, I’m okay.” On second thought… “Actually, I’m going to make my rounds so I can get out of here.” The hour was nearing nine, and Baltimore had other plans for us. Just the thought caused my stomach to shudder.
“Aight, mama,” he stated.
As I said my goodbyes to everyone, Baltimore remained patient. Heir seemed to be having a good time. She was in VIP dancing with Coco and Haven. I waved at her, then blew her a kiss, which she returned.
Thirty minutes later, we were inside the Maybach, headed to whatever destination he had in mind.
Quietly, I reflected on the last several months of my life.
Picking up the pieces of what I thought I knew about my life was complicated.
On one hand, I was happy to be free of Duval.
On the other hand, I’d lost a son. I would never excuse anything DJ did, and I couldn’t blame Adir for his judgement upon DJ.
However, DJ was still my son. No matter how much longer I had on this earth, I never wanted to step back inside that dungeon.
“You okay?”
Baltimore’s voice was just like butter—smooth and rich for no damn reason. Like when our skin touched, his voice made my body respond. He sat in the back seat with me, quietly peering at me.
“Yes,” I whispered. I could’ve sworn he chuckled a little bit as if he could read my mind and tell me what my body was doing because of him.
Too many times, tonight, I’d kept my eyes on him.
Whether he was by my side or not, I found myself seeking him out.
I loved that he did the same thing with me.
We rode for so long that I nodded off. I awoke to the sound of doors closing. Then, my door opened. Baltimore reached his hand inside to help me out. Stepping from the Maybach, I was instantly in shock.
A mansion larger than one I’d ever seen created a picture of regalness and elegance against the backdrop of the starry night. The large cream structure boasted tall columns leading to the French style front doors, and balconies stretched from one end to the other of the tall structure.
“Oh, my…” My mouth hung open as Baltimore led me to the stately front door. A man wearing a black suit and gloves stood at the door holding a platter in his hands. Baltimore released my hand and began removing his jewelry.
“Evenin’, sir, welcome home. Evenin’, madam,” the man spoke.
Home, I thought. What the hell?
“‘Sup,” Baltimore spoke back as he placed his watch and chains on the platter. “Dube, this is Maddie. Maddie this is the homie, Dube.”
Dube smiled. “The homie meaning the mister’s butler.”
Butler? An expensive lifestyle was something I was accustomed to being married to a Bell. Hell, we had round the clock security and lived on an entire estate. This was something out of a fairytale and crazy as hell.
“Quit callin’ yaself that before she thinks I’m uppity,” Baltimore stated.
“Never that, sir. You’re the epitome of down ass nigga,” Dube said. He winked at me, and I chuckled.
“That’s right,” Baltimore replied. He took my hand again and started back for the door.
“Your shower is waiting. The plane is on standby,” Dube called after him.
“Thanks, homie,” Baltimore responded.
Okay… What the entire hell? It felt like I woke up to a wild ass fantasy.
When we walked through the front door, my mouth came unhinged.
Luxury was an understatement. Expensive furniture, wall décor, and marble floors graced every room.
If it weren’t for the photographs of Baltimore and his family on the walls, I wouldn’t have believed this place was real.
I wanted to stop and marvel at how beautiful everything was.
However, Baltimore tugged me behind him.
“I’ll give you a tour another day, baby. We have a plane to catch.”
“What?” Why? I didn’t want to be that far away from Genesis. Although we’d been together for some time now, he needed me close just like I needed him close.
Plus… “I need to call Heir.” My baby would worry if she didn’t hear from me.
Baltimore chuckled as we bounded an elaborate staircase leading to the second floor.
“You think I’d whisk you off without Heir’s approval?”