Chapter 15
I fought back my tears as I watched my dad fix my little brother’s tie. He looked so handsome in his suit. Daddy had given him a fresh lineup, and he was sporting his signature slugs. I couldn’t believe how fast he’d grown up on me.
I had to laugh as my mother repeatedly kissed his cheek and fawned over how handsome he looked.
“Cicely, please, man,” my father said, shooing her away. “Let the boy breathe.”
“You hush! Just look at my baby!”
Kilow grinned. “Ya boy is fly, huh?”
He struck several poses like he just knew he was the shit. When he pulled out his sunglasses and hit that classic club pose, I lost it.
“Boy, you are a hot mess,” I said, snapping away with my phone.
He waved me off. “Hater. I’m gonna be the best-looking thing walking up in that school, ain’t it, Daddy?”
“My boy got that juice,” my father said, grinning. “Make sure you pop your collar on them, son.”
I rolled my eyes. “Daddy, nobody pops their collar anymore.”
Kilow slapped his chest. “You gotta get with the times, old man.”
We spent way too much time taking pictures, because my mother wanted individuals with each family member, then she needed group photos. My daddy finally had to make her chill out, or we were going to be late getting to Deja’s.
My mother swiped at her tears. “You have fun, baby.”
“Oh, I’m finna turn up.”
“Don’t come back here with no babies,” my father said.
Kilow grinned. “I value my life.”
“Come on here, brat,” I said.
He waved goodbye to our parents and Damaris before following me out the front door and into the car. The ride to Maceo’s mother’s took about twenty minutes with traffic. When we pulled into the driveway, Kilow started to panic.
“Shit!”
“Watch your mouth. What’s wrong?”
“I didn’t get her a corsage.”
I giggled as I reached into the back seat and pulled out a corsage that complemented Deja’s dress.
“I got you covered.”
“Good looking out, Shar. See, that’s why you’re my sister.”
“Boy, I’m your sister because we share the same parents.”
“Nah, if you were annoying and did too much, I wouldn’t claim you, for real.”
I smacked the back of his head. “Get out of the car, fool.”
He laughed as he opened his door, and I opened mine. We got out and made our way up the driveway to the front door. Just as I went to knock, Mr. Alec opened it.
“Hey, Sharina. Hey, Kilow. Looking good, man.”
“Thanks, Mr. P.”
“Y’all, come on in. Deja should be down in a second.”
We stepped inside, and I looked around for Maceo. His car was here, but he was nowhere to be found.
“Where’s Maceo?”
Mr. Alec chuckled. “Well… him and Devin decided they wanted to keep an eye on Deja and Kilow, so they volunteered to chaperone.”
I laughed. “Oooo, I know she’s mad.”
“She is. But she agreed with terms and conditions.”
“What conditions?”
“Devin has to drive them in one of his old-school cars.”
“You mean one of the cars he never drives?”
“Bingo. She also demanded they take them and their friends out to eat after the dance and pay her fifty dollars every time they embarrass her tonight.”
“Well, she won’t have to worry about paying for college, if that’s the case.”
He laughed. “Same thing I said.” He turned to Kilow. “I know this goes without saying, but you be mindful with my daughter.”
“Yes, sir. My father already had a talk with me, and I know Shar has no problem putting my head between the washer and dryer if I act up.”
I nodded. “I’m glad you know.”
Mr. Alec smiled. “You’re a good kid, and I trust you, so I know it won’t come to that.” He looked toward the stairs and called up for his wife. “Allison!”
“We’re coming, Alec, damn!”
He shook his head. “I wasn’t even rushing her,” he said, taking a seat on the couch. “Make yourselves comfortable.”
Kilow and I took a seat while we waited for Deja and Ms. Allison to come down. About five minutes passed before the door opened with Maceo and Smoke walking in. I stifled a whimper at the sight of my man looking so damn fine. He was dressed in a white dress shirt, black slacks, a copper-colored blazer, and a matching pair of loafers. His locs hung freely down his back, and gold jewelry accentuated his outfit.
From my spot on the couch, I could smell him, and it made my mouth water.
Next to me, Kilow chuckled. “Thirsty much?”
I elbowed him. “Shut up.”
Maceo made his way over to us. He dapped Kilow, then leaned in to kiss my lips.
“Hey, my love.”
“Hey, baby.” I seductively stroked his beard. Leaning in, I whispered in his ear. “Please don’t make me have to come up to that school and show my ass tonight.”
He grinned as he pulled away from me. “I hear you.”
Alec dapped Maceo and Smoke. “Don’t my boys look dapper? You’re already spoken for, Maceo, but Devin, don’t you be out here breaking hearts tonight.”
Smoke smirked. “Nah, more like break a back.”
“Smoke!” I said, punching him in the arm. I motioned to Kilow, who was grinning up a storm.
“My bad, lil’ nigga. Don’t get any ideas. We cool and all, but that’s my sister you’re taking out. Ain’t no sneaking off tonight. I’ll embarrass both of y’all.”
Kilow waved him off. “We’re just there to have fun. Nothing more, nothing less. I would never pressure Deja into anything. I got too much respect for her, man.”
Smoke nodded. “I respect that.”
Maceo chuckled. “He’s gonna stutter too much to pressure her at all.”
Kilow kissed his teeth. “Whatever, man.”
We all shared a laugh as we heard the door upstairs close. The room grew quiet as Ms. Allison came down first, followed by Deja. I smiled as she came into view, looking as beautiful as ever. While the rest of us stood to sing her praises, Kilow remained seated. When I looked down at him, he was staring at her with his mouth open.
“Get up, boy,” I said, grabbing his arm.
He rushed to his feet, and I gave him a little shove forward. For a moment, he stood there staring at her while she looked at him with a nervous smile.
“You look really handsome, Kilow,” she said softly.
“I do… I mean, so do you. I mean, you aren’t handsome ’cause you’re not a boy. I think you’re beautiful… I mean, you look beautiful.” He slapped his forehead and covered his face with his hand. “This is for you,” he said, holding out the corsage.
I bit back a laugh. His rambling was adorable. Deja had him flustered, and all she did was walk in and said five words.
“Thank you. Can you put it on me?”
He nodded. With trembling hands, he opened the flowered container and pulled it out. Nervously, he placed it on her wrist. Ms. Allison handed her the boutonniere that matched her dress, and she pinned it on him. They grinned at each other, seemingly forgetting that we were in the room.
“They are definitely getting married,” I whispered to Maceo.
“Slow your roll there, pimp. It’s just a dance. This is puppy love.”
I giggled. “Puppy love is real to a puppy.”
Ms. Allison clapped her hands. “How about some pictures!”
After going through the same spiel we did with my mother, the kids were finally ready to go. We headed outside to Smoke’s tricked-out 1970’s Impala. The kids were excited to get inside. As Mr. Alec and Ms. Allison stood back watching, I walked them to the car. Once they were settled, I leaned into my man.
“Have fun,” I said, cupping his chin. “Don’t embarrass these kids too much.”
“How about not at all,” Deja quipped.
“I can start right now,” Maceo threatened, making Smoke laugh.
“You!” I said, pointing to him. “No smoking with them in the car?—”
“Man, your daddy damn near burns a forest around Kilow, and Deja is used to me smoking.”
“You heard what I said. And drive like you have some sense. This is precious cargo.”
“Yes, mother,” he said sarcastically. “You mind backing up so we can go?”
I rolled my eyes, and I leaned in to give my man another kiss. “I love you.”
“I love you too. Have fun tonight with Salima, but not too much fun. I’d hate to dip out of the dance early to come snatch you up.”
“Whatever! Bye!”
I pulled my body out of the window and stepped back. Smoke cranked up, and the next thing we heard was the engine revving and his tires screeching as he peeled away from the curb.
“Wait, Kilow and Deja!” Salima exclaimed.
We were at her house getting ready for a night out. It had been too long since my bestie and I turned up with just the two of us. Don’t get me wrong. I loved hanging with Jaeda and Mia, but I needed some alone time with my best bitch.
“Yes, girl.”
I pulled out my phone to show her the picture of them before the dance. Maceo and Smoke being chaperones was hilarious. The two of them didn’t know how to act together and were bound to entertain those kids. I knew they just wanted to keep an eye on their baby sister, though.
“Deja is not happy about them being there. Baby girl knew she was about to be embarrassed, so she milked it for all it was worth. She demanded that Smoke drive them in one of his old-school cars, and they have to take them out to eat afterward. For every time they embarrass her, they have to pay her fifty dollars. My girl might just be a millionaire before the night is over.”
Salima laughed. “Oh, she is gonna make bank tonight. They look so cute together! Look at my handsome baby! I can’t believe he’s sixteen now.”
“I know, right. They grow up so fast.”
“I’m not prepared for Darlyn to grow up,” she said, pouting. “I just want her to be my little baby forever.”
“I know, girl. My girl is going to break hearts, and her godmommy will break necks about her.”
Salima laughed. “You and her daddy.”
“And her uncles, aunts, grandaddy, and grandmas. She won’t stand a chance. I don’t think we thought this through with who we decided to be in relationships with.”
“Not at all.”
We continued to talk as we got ready for our night. Deuce was reluctant to let my girl be in the club without him and insisted we go to one of his spots where he could have eyes on us. It was a compromise we were willing to make. Besides, that meant free liquor all night. He was even making one of his street lieutenants drive us so we could enjoy ourselves.
Even though he nor his siblings were into the drug side of the family empire, they had a whole team of niggas that kept an ear to the streets for them. While the clan as a whole was feared, there were just as many people who respected them.
Two hours later, Salima and I walked downstairs looking like the bad bitches we were. I’d gone with a black semi-sheer corset top, a pair of black leather shorts that stopped just below my ass, and some thigh-high black boots with gold jewelry to accessorize. My braids were styled into the perfect bun atop my head.
Salima chose to wear this sexy, pink, strapless, leather jumpsuit with nude heels and platinum jewelry. Her hair was feather curled to perfection, and her makeup was light and flawless.
Deuce lay on the couch watching Toy Story , with Darlyn sitting on his chest. As our heels clicked across the hardwood floors, he sat up and looked at us with a frown.
“I know you fu—I know you lying.”
Salima waved him off. “Don’t start, Stanley. We look great, and we don’t wanna hear your mouth.”
He looked at me. “My brother know you wearing them little ass shorts?”
“Maceo is my man, not my daddy.”
“Then does Mr. Paul know you’re wearing that?”
He pulled out his phone, and the next thing we heard was ringing. After a few seconds, loud music came blaring through the phone.
“What up, bruh!”
“Look at how your woman got my wife looking.”
He turned the camera around. I blew a kiss and struck a pose.
“Hey, daddy.”
“Shit! Damn, you look good, bae.”
I blushed. “Thank you.”
“Don’t have none of that on when you get home. Wait… you can leave the boots on.”
Deuce turned the camera around. “I didn’t call for you to encourage this shit, nigga.”
“What, man? We bagged some beautiful women. Leave them the fuck alone.”
“When I catch a body, it’s on you.”
“I’ll take that. I gotta go, man. These kids are lit as hell, and I’m ’bout to go snatch Deja ass up, out there twerking her back. Deja Giselle!”
He hung up, and Deuce turned back to us. “Please don’t let me have to come up there.”
Salima walked over and cupped his face. “I promise, we’ll behave. Besides, I have all the security I need with Shar.”
“And do!” I said, snapping my fingers. “Can you let us go now? I wanna get there before it gets crowded.”
Deuce waved me off. “You act like y’all wait in line and don’t have a private section.”
“That’s besides the point, Stanley.”
“Darlyn, your godmommy wants me to snatch her by her edges,” he said, looking at baby girl. She grinned, not even knowing he threatened her favorite person.
“Give me my baby,” Salima said, scooping her up. “Hi, mamas!” She smothered her chubby cheeks with kisses, causing her to squeal. “Mommy is gonna miss you! You be a good girl for daddy.”
I smiled, watching her love on her baby. She was such a good mom, and she felt bad about leaving her with Deuce to go out and have fun. He’d reassured her that even though she was a wife and mother, she still had a life, and he was perfectly capable of taking care of his baby by himself.
Salima returned Darlyn to his arms, then cupped his face and kissed him passionately.
“I love you.”
“I love you too, mama. We making baby number two when you bring your fine ass back.”
She rolled her eyes but didn’t object. “See you later, Deuce.”
He slapped her ass as she walked away. He got up with Darlyn in his arms to walk us out to where the blacked-out SUV was waiting for us. The door opened, and out stepped a guy Salima and I both knew from our neighborhood and school.
“Hey, Amp,” I said, opening my arms for a hug.
He took a step back and offered me his hand. “What’s up?”
“Damn, it’s like that? I’ve known you your whole life.”
“It ain’t nothing personal, Shar. Just a matter of respect for your man. I prefer my head on my shoulders.”
I laughed as I raised my hands in surrender. “I respect that.”
I shook his hand, then he shook Salima’s. He and Deuce dapped each other, and he tickled Darlyn’s tummy before opening the back door for us to climb in. The two of them spoke for a moment before Amp got in the truck.
“A’ight, now,” he said, turning to us as we drove away. “I’ve been given strict instructions to stay with y’all all night. Don’t give me no bullshit.”
“When have we ever been on bullshit, Amp?” I asked innocently.
“Every time you link up. In your words, I’ve known you all your life.”
Salima and I looked at each other and laughed.
“We’ll behave,” I said. “Neither one of our men have a problem coming to snatch us up.”
Salima giggled. “I haven’t been snatched up in a minute. Maybe we should show out a little.”
“Make me turn this car around,” Amp threatened.
Again, we laughed.
“Chill, Amp,” I said, waving him off. “We’re gonna act right. Put on some music. We need to get in our zone before we step out.”
Amp shook his head as he grabbed his phone and went to the music app. The sounds of “Dreams and Nightmares” by Meek Mill filled the car, instantly bringing back memories of the block parties in our old neighborhood. My bestie and I immediately fell into our rapper persona.
This was going to be a good night.
After his place was burned to the ground, Deuce wasted no time securing a new location for Club Silk. This one was bigger and better than the last. Tonight, the place was packed, and the line was wrapped around the building. Amp parked around back in Deuce’s designated space and led us through the private entrance. We took the stairs up to the VIP lounge and headed straight to the bar. Amp made himself comfortable with the rest of security, a few more of them being guys from our old neighborhood.
Once we had our drinks and placed an order for a party tray of food, Salima and I headed for our reserved section.
“Everybody and their mama is in here tonight,” she said, looking over the railing at the crowd.
“I know, right? Look at us. Two years ago, we would have been down there bumping elbows and throwing dirty looks at bitches for bumping into us. Now we have VIP treatment with free food and drinks. All because your man put a gun to your head.”
Salima rolled her eyes. “Don’t bring that up. I still wanna fight his big ass about that. He traumatized me.”
“You weren’t too traumatized. You married him.”
“I love that man. He’s a handful. He’s rude, aggressive, and he doesn’t listen, but that’s my baby.” She smiled. “I still can’t believe I’m somebody’s wife and mother.”
“If you ever forget, just look at the rock on your finger and that wagon behind you.”
She laughed. My girl was already thick, but Darlyn made her hips spread and her ass fatter. Deuce was forever groping my girl.
“You’re next,” she said, rubbing my flat stomach. “Shoot, as loud as you and Maceo were the other week, it might be one in there right now.”
“No, ma’am. I know my man’s pull out game is weak when it comes to me. I’m on birth control, and I still take a pregnancy test every week.”
“That is wild, Sharina. What are you gonna do when one comes back positive?”
“I guess have a baby.” I giggled. “I think I’m ready, though. I know my baby would be surrounded with so much love, and I’d never have to struggle as a single mother. Senior may have multiple children by multiple women, but he isn’t a deadbeat, and I don’t expect his sons to be one either. Big and all, I know he would get in their ass if they ever tried it.”
“Period.”
The DJ dropped the beat to “Whiskey Whiskey” by Moneybag Yo and Morgan Wallen, and both of us got up to dance. Anybody who saw us would have sworn we were lovers with the way we were twerking on each other while rapping the lyrics. This was just us. We never needed a gang of females to have fun. She had me, and I had her.
We danced to a good five songs before the server came over to bring a round of shots and the food we ordered. Happy for a break, we claimed our seats and dug in. Amp came over to see if we needed anything before going back to stand watch.
As we were fucking up a plate, I caught a glimpse of someone, or I should say two someones, coming into the VIP section.
Charity and Blane.
I swear this bitch was everywhere. There was no logical reason that I kept seeing her. This city wasn’t that damn small, yet every place I enjoyed going, she somehow ended up in the same spot. Even if I held disdain toward her, I couldn’t lie and say she didn’t look like money. It left nothing to the imagination… but she was bad.
Tonight, she was dressed in a black see-through dress that hung off her shoulders and hugged her curves. The only things she wore under it were pasties over her nipples and a black thong. On her feet were a sexy pair of six-inch, black, strappy heels that laced up her calves. Her hair was pulled into a sleek top knot. The gold and diamond jewelry she sported glistened, even under the dim lighting.
Blane was dressed in all black from head to toe.
“Well, damn,” Salima mumbled as they took a seat in the section across the way from us. “She’s on full display.”
I glared at Charity, who finally caught my gaze. She smirked as she crossed her legs and gave me a finger wave.
“Fuck that bitch,” I said out loud, unintentionally.
Salima’s head whipped in my direction. “You know her?”
“Unfortunately.”
“I need more than that. I know everybody you know, and I don’t know her, so what’s up?”
I sighed. Now was as good a time as any to tell her about what her brother-in-law and I had been up to. I slid closer to her and gave her the cliff notes version of everything that had been going on.
“Oh my God! Sharina!”
“I know, I know. I had no business being out there, but I loved helping them, Salima. You know how I feel about family. It gave me a sense of pride, reuniting people with their loved ones. I mean, I didn’t do shit but drive the van and make sure they were settled in the safe house.”
“No matter how small you feel your role was, you cared for someone in need. That’s something beautiful.”
“Yeah… but it’s over. Senior shut that down. I think it’s for the best because I really don’t trust that bitch, Salima. I’m sure she wants my man, but I can’t tell if she’s a ho or on some shady shit. Hell, looking at her, I feel like it’s both.”
My gaze drifted back over to Charity and Blane. A woman had joined them and was currently sitting between her and Blane. Charity’s hand rested on her thigh as she whispered in her ear. The woman smiled and giggled like the bitch was saying the funniest thing in the world.
“Is she into women?” Salima asked.
“I don’t know what she’s into sexually, but I can tell you one thing. She’s into money. She said that man just wants to spend it on her, but she’s lying, Salima. They are too comfortable for people who just met.”
“I mean, hos get comfortable real quick. Remember Alissa Cooper from high school? Every couple of weeks she had a different dude she was in love with.”
“This isn’t an Alissa Cooper kind of ho. Don’t worry. I’m gonna get to the bottom of it. I have Jaeda on the job.”
“Jaeda? Ms. Never Keeps A Secret From My Brothers is helping you? How did you get her to agree to that?”
I giggled. “I kissed her.”
“Shar!”
“What! You know our little baby is a virgin. She told me she’d never been kissed, and I felt bad ’cause she’s so beautiful, Salima. Too beautiful to be so insecure. And I know, I know. Beauty doesn’t equate confidence. I just wanted to show her some love.”
“I get it. You better not let Maceo find out… but I get it. So, did she find anything?”
“She said give her a few days.” I looked back over at the section, but Charity, Blane, and the girl were gone. “Where did they go?”
“Did we come to party, or did we come for you to worry about that woman? I’m feeling real neglected right now.”
I laughed. “Awww, wifey. You want my attention?”
“Yes.”
I cupped her face and kissed her cheek. “I’m all yours, babe. You want me to shake this ass on you?”
She giggled as she sat back on the couch. “Come on. And bend that shit all the way over.”
I cackled as I stood to my feet, prepared to give her the dance of her life. Tonight was for us, so I had to put Charity, Blane, and anything dealing with the two of them out of my thoughts.