Chapter 5 #3
Sienna didn’t just leave behind memories, she left carrying his daughter.
Her name is Monae. Macie has been keeping them hidden for years in Morocco, robbing him of the chance to know and love his family.
She allowed him to live believing he had lost everything, when in reality, pieces of his heart were still walking this earth.
I couldn’t allow that secret to die with me.
This truth deserves the light, no matter how much darkness it exposes.
You gotta be the one to tell him about his family.
He trusts you, and when this truth hits, he gone need somebody solid standing next to him.
Finding out he got a daughter is one thing, but knowing his own mother did this shit to him is gone fuck him up.
He deserves to know his child, and he deserves to experience love without manipulation.
This family has many secrets, but this is one I couldn’t take to my grave.
P.S. I know my days are numbered with this cancer racing through my body, but get a second opinion on my biopsy, my lawyer has included it with this letter. Macie is a heartless woman, son. Don’t let her fool you. I love you.
Dad
At the conclusion of his father’s letter, Mitch understood the weight in his chest when he opened the envelope. Disgust lifted on his features as he downed the rest of his drink, and quickly filled his glass again.
“Shit, Macie. The fuck you do this shit for?” Mitch rhetorically stated to himself as the revelation set in.
He knew women were emotional, but this shit held enough power to drive a lifelong wedge between mother and son.
Macie had a lot to answer for, but Mitch questioned if she’d be able to live with the distance this would put between her and Monroe.
There were certain things in life that no one got a pass for, and keeping a father from his daughter was one of them.
This ain’t gon’ end well, he thought. Knowing that in situations like this no one won. So much damage had already been done.
“Hey handsome,” Vera said, slightly leaning on the doorframe. Wearing a short, black robe.
Mitch’s eyes roamed her body slowly, refusing to miss one detail of her curvaceous frame.
He watched each seductive step she took towards him, his dick hardening at the sight of her barely covered ass when she paused and twirled around.
On cue, he reached down to pull his dick out, and stroked it slowly as Vera rounded his desk.
Her presence was so hypnotising, he refused to snatch his eyes away from her.
She pulled the knot out of the sash that kept her robe together, releasing her perk d-cup titties.
Vera straddled his lap and slid down his dick with ease.
“Vera,” Mitch murmured.
“Shhh,” she hushed him, then circled her hips, deeply grinding on his dick.
Mitch obeyed her, loving the way she took what she wanted. He allowed himself the luxury of escape from the bullshit because the truth written in that letter wasn’t going anywhere. And neither was the storm quietly forming on the horizon.
“I love you, Mitchell Black,” she confessed. “And, I love this big ass dick.”
“Oh yea? Show a nigga how much then,” he shot back, both hands gripping the bottom of her ass, as he moved upward, applying pressure.
“Mmm,” she moaned, before wrapping her hand around his neck.
It didn’t make no sense how much Mitch loved that shit. It was going to be a good night, he’d figure out how to fix the mess Macie had made later.
The city moved differently when power was present, and Mitch was back on the streets.
Getting reacclimated had proved to be like a walk in the park for an already made man of his caliber.
Mitch was bred by some of the best Dons’ in the world, and there was never a day in his life when he had to depend on anyone for anything.
Power ran in his bloodline, and he was a businessman at heart, however.
Mitch dreaded being the bearer of bad news, but he’d be damned if Monroe walked around any longer not knowing the truth.
Loyalty meant protecting a man’s blind spots, not exploiting them.
One thing for certain and two things for sure, Mitch was going to be there to help him pick up the pieces.
Mitch smudged the tip of his blunt as soon as he pulled into Monroe's driveway, but before stepping out of the car, he grabbed his key fob as his eyes instinctively assessed his surroundings. Freedom hadn’t erased instinct.
Awareness had always been his protection.
Before his hand could reach the door, Monroe opened it, already anticipating his arrival.
“What’s happenin’, Unc?” Monroe greeted, opening the door wider, welcoming his uncle to step in.
“Every day above ground is a good day,” Mitch returned smoothly. “You turnin’ soft on me, nephew? The hell you listenin’ to?” He quizzed with furrowed brows.
Monroe chuckled as Sevyn Streeter’s Taboo streamed through his home speakers. “I got someone I want you to meet, Unc,” he said, leading the way.
Mitched smiled, but didn’t question it.
“Promise,” Monroe called as he rounded the corner, and stepped into the living room. “Come here, baby. I got someone I want you to meet.”
Promise pushed her MacBook to the side, and sat her wine flute down beside it. She stood to her feet, then walked over to Monroe’s side.
“Unc, this my lady,” he introduced with pride. “Baby, this is my uncle Mitch.”
“It’s so nice to finally meet you. I’ve heard so many good things about you,” Promise warmly stated, reaching her hand forward.
“The pleasure is all mine,” Mitch returned, lifting and kissing the top of her hand respectfully. “She’s beautiful, nephew. You did good,” he nodded his approval.
“She been changin’ a niggas life, Unc. I finally got her ass to close all the distance between us,” Monroe said.
Promise’s smile deepened, feeling seen in a way that reassured her she had made the right decision.
“Women only make those type of moves when they’re secure. You must be doin’ somethin’ right,” Mitch wisely stated. “You two are a good fit,” Mitch observed and stated aloud, knowing that the news he needed to reveal would have to wait.
“Can I get you something to eat or drink?” Promise asked, extending the southern hospitality that always came naturally for her.
“Nah, we good. We gotta get goin’, Doll. We’ll get somethin’ on the plane. You good?” Monroe asked.
“Yes, I’m fine,” Promise replied softly. “Call me when you get back.”
“You know I am,” Monroe kissed her soft lips three times before turning to leave.
“We’ll have to sit down and get to know each other soon,” Promise told Mitch.
“We gon’ make that happen sooner than later, niece,” Mitch said, the word slipping out naturally, surprising himself.
Promise smiled as Mitch stepped outside. Monroe paused before following, turning back toward her one last time.
“I left one of my cards on the nightstand for you,” Monroe wrapped his arms around her waist and said. “Run it up, Doll. Ain’t no limit,” he said, then kissed her lips.
“You spoil me so bad,” Promise beamed, kissing him again. She simply couldn’t get enough of this man. “Be careful, baby. I’ll be waiting up for you.”
“Already. You know a nigga can’t stay away too long,” Monroe winked, then turned to walk away.
Promise watched him leave, unaware that the peace she felt in that moment would soon be tested by truths neither of them saw coming.
She closed the door, then turned to get ready for the day.
Jazira would be arriving in a few hours, and Promise didn’t want to be late.
She’d missed her friend so much, and couldn’t wait to hit the city with her.
Mitch hopped in the awaiting car with Monroe, leaving his parked in the driveway until he returned.
It was his intention to talk to Monroe about Sienna and his daughter, but when he saw Promise there was no way he could bring himself to do it.
It had been one thing to see the way Monroe spoke to her, and the way his body language had changed while he was on the phone with her.
But, it was a completely different story to witness the depth of their love in real time.
It was so pure, Mitch felt like he was trespassing.
It was the love that very few in life truly got to experience.
Mitch had recognized it, but he had never experienced it before.
“What’s on ya mind, Unc?” Monroe quizzed.
“Everything good. Just thinkin’ ‘bout the next play,” Mitch lied because everything Monroe believed about his past, his mother, and his future would be forced into the light. He couldn’t tell him right then because he knew that when that truth surfaced, no one would walk away untouched.