Chapter 11 #2
“It’s clear she wants no part of you, so it’s best you keep it pushing, playboy,” I stated, squaring my shoulders and stature. I stared him firmly in the eyes and saw every bit of bitch in them, but he stood his ground like he was ready to act no matter how much fear consumed him.
“Who the fuck are you to defend my wife?”
“The motherfucker who just told you to move the fuck on.”
“Man, I…”
My gun left my hip and planted into his stomach before he could even fathom finishing his statement. I moved inches from him then said, “You’re about to be the reason I willingly serve life. She clearly doesn’t want your ass so move the fuck on before nobody shows up to your funeral.”
The fear built in his eyes as he understood my words. He couldn’t hide the shit even though he was trying damn hard to do so. He looked down at the gun then over at Brandy who stood there firmly with her arms folded across her chest.
“Naw, keep those eyes right here,” I stated.
When he looked back at me, he took a step back and lifted his hands in mock surrender with a stupid look on his face. It didn’t take away from the defiance in his eyes. He liked to put on a show. I’d have to remember that.
“You got it. I’ll be seeing you, Brandy.”
“The fuck if you will,” I replied sternly. I would’ve put a bullet in his dome if we weren’t standing in an airport with three women depending on me to get them home.
This would be the very last time he ever laid eyes on her. I just hoped she was smart enough to realize that too.
I quickly secured my gun in its holster then slipped my jacket right back over it. I pulled out my cell and dialed up my driver, Serg, stepping away from Brandy as she stood there in bewilderment.
“Sir.”
“Black top, cargo pants, walking out now… grab him.”
“Yes, sir.”
I ended the call then looked at Brandy who was completely smitten.
I didn’t talk loud enough for her to hear me but something underlying let me know she heard me loud and clear.
Her stunned expression quickly melted away the longer I stared at her.
Confirmation and assurance flowed deeply between us.
The more I stared at her, the harder it was to contain myself.
Her gaze was intoxicating and I wanted to spread her wide-open right in this airport.
The way she looked at me was foreign but endearing and made me fall deeper under her spell.
I would do anything for this woman and I believed she was starting to understand that.
It didn’t take months to gain my loyalty, she had it instantly.
“Girl, you better keep that man,” Stella said as she walked over to us. Marsha nodded in agreement and Brandy just smiled at me all goofy and adorable.
I looked at my watch then at the monitor displaying which belt their luggage would be coming out of. Thankfully, the second my eyes met the assigned belt, luggage started spitting out.
Marsha made her way over and grabbed her suitcase. I was surprised it was the first one out. I shouldn’t have been though because they were the last ones to check in. Stella then grabbed her bag as well.
We needed to get moving since I had other things to tend to. The separation should be good for us even though I just told her we could spend however long together.
Marsha pulled out her cell and started going back and forth with whomever. She quickly said bye and looked at us like she was irritated.
“He must be waiting out there already huh?” Brandy inquired.
“Yes, and all I could hear were the twins asking when I was coming out, so with that, I love y’all, I’ll see you Tuesday, and I’ll text y’all to let you know I got home again. Thanks again for this weekend, Brandy. It was much needed.”
She wrapped her arms around Brandy and they engaged in a long hug, then Stella followed, then Stella and Brandy hugged each other.
“My ride's here too. I’ll be seeing you. Later, Armond,” Stella said, then waved her slender fingers at me. I chuckled and waved her off then put my focus back on Brandy. She leaned over to grab her suitcase then waited for me to lead the way.
“Oh, so you just leaving me to fend for myself?” Brandy asked.
“Uh, yeah. You got him. I’ll see you later, boo!”
She waved us off and I couldn’t help but chuckle. Her friends were not cock blockers and I appreciated that. Though any true friend would have inquired where she would be heading once we departed.
“I guess it’s just us then.” She sighed then looked at me with a huge smile.
“Oh, that’s what you wanted?”
“Hell yeah.” She laughed. Seeing her light up was infectious. I was glad her previous meltdown only lasted a couple of minutes. Had she been affected any longer, I’d believe she and Jeffrey had more going on than she claimed.
“Alright then. How about we grab a bite to eat then head back to your place so you can rest?”
“Yeah, that sounds good. I am exhausted. I need to get ready for tomorrow anyway. I’m seeing someone about a new property.”
“Studio?”
“Yes. I’m trying to build a franchise. I have two locations already and they are both doing extremely well. Branching out will deepen my pockets while I help people get back in tune with themselves.”
“Where is it?”
“I’m not telling.”
“Why not?”
I smiled as she cuffed her hand through my arm and latched onto my bicep. We walked over to the belt and she picked up her other suitcase then we proceeded to my other driver, Manuel, awaiting us.
“Because I’m a big girl who can handle this on my own. You seem like the type who would secretly buy the building and surprise me with it.” And she would be correct.
“Alright, you got me there, but you deserve it, so why not?”
“Because we’re just getting to know each other, Armond. Anything can happen between us and I don’t want it being held over my head at any point in time. I’m not saying that to say you would, but I like to be careful when it comes to my business ventures,” she explained.
“I respect that.”
“That’s all you have to say?”
“Yes.”
She stopped walking and I found myself pulling her along a couple of steps before ultimately stopping myself. I turned to face her and she looked perplexed.
“What, honeybee?” I said, amused.
“Where’d you come from? Because you are not an American.” She giggled.
I laughed before saying, “You’d be surprised to know that I was born in The States, but I’ve resided all over the world for as long as I could remember, mainly Germany and Italy.”
“Yeah, I can tell.”
“No, you couldn’t.”
She giggled. “Yes, I could tell you weren’t from here. You literally just spoke Italian on the plane. Your mannerisms are different. You might talk like you’re from here at times, but even then, you sound different. I like it. Different is good.”
“Yeah, I’m all kinds of different.” I gave her a wicked smile then assisted her into the truck. I made my way to the other side and hopped in as Manuel put her luggage in the trunk.
“Where to, sir?” Manuel asked as he got in.
“Where to, milady?”
“Uhhhh… ooh! Darby’s Steakhouse.”
“As you wish,” Manuel stated. He entered the address into his GPS then took off before anyone could say anything to us for taking too long.
I looked at the beam of her smile and got lost in it. I wished I could capture pictures with my eyes because this was a view worth remembering forever.
“Why are you looking at me like that, Armond?” she asked softly.
“You’re beautiful, you know that?”
“Yes, I do.”
“Quite ravishing. I can’t get enough of you.”
“I’m sure in due time you will.”
“Naw, that ain’t me.”
“Mmhmm, okay.”
“You like pushing men away?”
“Huh? Why would you ask me that?”
“You believe you’re problematic enough to keep anyone from lasting long in your life?”
“Well, no. I just… shit, I’m sorry.”
“No need to apologize. Just making an observation.”
“I must do better. I’m not used to this.”
“It’s all good. I’ll break down all those barriers in due time.”