Chapter 17
—DEVYN
It had been over a month since I moved into the house with Azani.
He hadn’t been home much, and I missed him.
There had been more security. Everywhere I went, they had to go with me.
The only place I felt like I could be alone was in my dance room or the bathroom.
But the more Azani explained what was going on, the more I understood why he was so cautious.
He ended up showing me pictures of me that someone took at one of my dance studios. I learned how dangerous his life was and who he was within Sector II. Being his wife would only require me to have more protection.
Today was Azani’s birthday, and he was on his way home.
We hadn’t seen each other in three days.
The last time he was home, he was only here long enough to get some rest, then he was gone again, all within twenty-four hours.
He was stressed and detached, but I hoped that when he came home today, I could ease some of his burdens.
Any other time, I’d put on something sexy for him, but because we had to spend this birthday at home instead of on an island, I decided to do something fun.
We were going to a gun range with a park attached, where we could ride four-wheelers and dirt bikes.
Well, he’d be driving, and I’d be riding because I knew if I made one wrong move, I’d fly off one of those things.
If we had time, maybe an arcade. I could have gone the dinner route, but I knew he needed to unwind and do things he enjoyed. Just as I was tying my shoes, I heard footsteps coming toward my bedroom door.
Vic peeked his head in. “Azani just got home. We’re getting everything together to head out whenever you’re ready.”
“Thanks, Vic,” I said, smiling softly.
He nodded, then walked off. As I stood in front of the mirror, putting on my jewelry, I heard more footsteps, and I knew it was Azani.
I could smell him before I saw him. When he finally made it to my door, he stood in the doorway, leaning, smiling at me.
He looked exhausted, but he still looked good. Still looked like my man.
“Happy Birthday, baby,” I said, staring back at him through the mirror.
He walked toward me slowly, then wrapped his hands around my waist and kissed my neck. “Thank you, baby. I missed you.”
“I missed you, too.” I turned around and wrapped my arms around his neck. “I got something planned for you.”
“Kiss your man first. I need that up off you,” he said, staring at my lips.
His body was so tense, but I had the remedy for that.
I untied his hair slowly and watched it fall over his shoulders.
When my fingers touched his scalp, he closed his eyes, leaned in, and kissed me.
His hands moved up and down my back, squeezing and smacking my ass.
Azani never shied away from affection. It was one of the many things I loved about him, no matter how mannish he could be.
Tension melted off him the longer we kissed. My heart raced more with each touch. He finally pulled back, smiling like he knew exactly what he was doing.
“I like your hair, too. Do this style more often. I can see your whole pretty ass face,” he murmured, running his fingers through the extended ponytail my stylist did yesterday.
“I will. But we need to go, unless you want to rest for a while.”
“Nah… come on. I see you got sneakers on. I’m tryna see what you got up your sleeve.” He brushed my lips with his one more time, then pulled me out of the room.
Instead of him driving, I made sure Vic took us where I was taking him first. Azani had me damn near in his lap, rubbing all over me, sniffing me like a dog in heat.
“Cut it out!” I whispered, smacking his hand. “You can get that later.”
“But you sexy as shit, and you smell good. I shoulda got some before we left. It’s been too long, Dev.”
I cut my eyes at him and burst out laughing. “You play way too much, Azani Stone.”
“Watch how I play with something else later,” he whispered, holding my waist tighter.
This man came home feral as hell. I might want to rethink this dance I have planned.
As we pulled up to the gun range, Azani looked down at me, then back at the sign, but he didn’t say anything. Even when we got out of the truck, he just stood there, holding my hand.
“Why we here, Dev? You don’t even like guns. I don’t want you to be uncomfortable,” he muttered, pulling me into his arms.
“Well,” I said, rubbing my hands up and down his chest. “My man happens to carry one daily. His occupation requires one, and he requires me to have security at all times. The least I can do is learn to shoot and handle a gun properly without being scared. Don’t you think?”
He grabbed my hands and kissed the tops of both. “Okay. But if you not feeling it no more, we leaving.”
“Yes, sir, Mr. Stone.” I smirked as I grabbed his hands, pulling him toward the entrance.
After I got us signed in, we moved toward the targets. Azani was already checking the guns, making sure they were clean, and loading each one.
“Keep the safety on if you put it down, Dev,” he said, demonstrating what I should do. “Anything could set off the trigger, and I don’t want you to get hurt.”
He slid the ear protection over my head and passed me one of the smaller guns. I held it in my hand, feeling the weight of the cool metal. It felt too powerful for me to hold.
Then, he stood behind me, showing me how to hold it correctly. “This one doesn’t have as much kickback as mine. Good for beginners. Hold it steady, but not so tight.”
I loosened my grip, and he took off the safety as I stared at the target ahead.
“You got it, baby. Now press down on the trigger slowly.”
Once the bullet left the gun, my pulse picked up. Even with the protection on, it was still loud enough to make me nervous.
“Again, baby. You can’t be scared of it,” he said, still standing behind me. “This time, pull the trigger twice.”
The second time, I felt a little more comfortable. He slid his hands down to my waist, holding firmly.
“Now, try it on your own. You’re in control of the weapon; it doesn't control you. Go ’head, pull it twice.”
Instead of listening, I pulled it three times. I glanced over my shoulder and was smiling already. “Did I do good, baby?” I asked.
“I think you might be a natural.” He smirked. “I hope you handle me just like that tonight. I need that.”
I turned around, slinging my ponytail over my shoulder and backing into him. When I picked up a bigger gun, he didn’t stop me; he just held me closer, rubbing up and down my waist.
“Make sure you know what you doing with that,” he whispered, kissing the back of my neck. “That one has more power.”
Well, if you stop rubbing on me and kissing me, I could focus.
This gun did have more power. It was heavier, and I knew the kickback would be stronger. But I pressed on the trigger anyway. The whole experience was exhilarating. Azani’s hands almost distracted me, but I was focused. I hit the targets, getting closer to the middle each time.
“Look at you, Dev. This shit making my dick hard,” he whispered as I picked up another gun. “Now, I gotta get you your own. Dress you up as a lady cop. Let me handcuff your ass to the bed.”
“Azani, cut it out so I can concentrate,” I hissed, rolling my eyes.
He chuckled and let me learn, but he didn’t let me go. I used every gun he loaded. When I was done, he stood back, smiling at me so proudly. I took off the ear protection and walked right into his arms.
“Can I watch you now? This was for you,” I asked, pouting.
He smirked, holding me closer. “Yeah, Bratty Baby. Let me show you something.”
No ear protection, no preparation; he just pulled his gun and started hitting targets. Even the smallest ones. He was fast and precise. I was amazed, but also on edge because if he was this disciplined and trained, why would somebody want to mess with him?
It made me wonder how many like him there were in this world, aside from the military.
One gun after another; he handled them all with ease.
I was learning new things about Azani every day, and the more I learned, the safer I felt knowing he could protect me.
But I understood how dangerous his life was.
This was the same man who would rub my feet, rock me to sleep, and make my tea just right—the same one who cuddles with me and picks out my outfits.
But who I was looking at right now was Chairman Azani Stone.
Not the man who gave me a promise ring to show me how serious he was about getting me back.
The contrast was nerve-wracking, but it was too late for me. I already loved him, and even with his life being as dangerous as it was, I hadn’t felt this safe in a long time.
Once he was done, he reloaded his gun and stuck it back in his waist. Then, he turned around, and all I could do was stare at him.
“You scared now, Dev?” he asked, walking closer. “That’s years of training and practice you just saw.”
“No,” I said, pulling him close to me. “But I probably should be. I can’t guarantee you’re safe when you leave me,” I said quietly.
He lifted my chin so I could look him in the eyes. “There’s no guarantees in my life, baby. That’s why I gave you that card for Christmas.”
I was finally starting to understand who Azani was.
Both sides of him were layered and complicated.
The killer and the lover, and I wanted them both.
We stood there staring at each other for a second longer, then I kissed him.
His burden was heavy with me and both the careers he juggled.
Someone always needed something from him, and I just hoped I could be his relief.
“Come on. We have one more activity here,” I said, grabbing his hand.
He raised his brow, smirking. “It’s only one other thing to do here, and I know you not getting on no four-wheelers or dirtbikes.”
“You’re right. I’m getting on with you, so don’t drive crazy, Azani.” I pouted.
“Bring your spoiled ass on, Dev,” he said, laughing. “Ima make sure you straight.”