Chapter 19
It took some convincing, but eventually, everybody left.
After word spread about what happened, not only did Jelai’s mom and friends pull up and wait for us to make it home, but the club did too.
While I appreciated them all wanting to make sure she was okay, I knew Jelai wanted to be alone so she could process what happened and rest. Though she might have been okay physically, she’d experienced a traumatizing event mentally and emotionally.
Not only had her godfather kidnapped her and planned to kill her, but he’d confessed to having her father killed too.
That was a lot for any person to handle.
I let her mom and friends visit with her until I saw how tired her eyes looked, then I begged them to let her rest for the night.
Unwillingly they agreed and promised that they’d be back in the morning. I was cool with that.
Once they left, I bathed my baby and got her settled in bed.
I made her tea and she asked me to put a shot of Jameson in it.
Granting her request, I put a double shot in it and rolled a blunt for her to indulge in as well.
Whatever it would take for her to be able to sleep tonight, that was what I would provide.
Chris was dead, but the truth of what he’d done over the years was alive.
Finally, her father’s case was closed, and Chris was no longer around using his badge to commit the crimes he was supposed to be stopping.
Because of the camera footage and Jelai’s testimony, I wasn’t charged with his murder.
Truthfully, I wouldn’t have cared if I was.
The only thing I would have been sad about was being away from her and my family, but I’d give up my freedom to save her life with no fucking hesitation.
As we rotated the blunt, I didn’t know if I should try and get her to talk about what happened or let her be. Since I didn’t know, I asked, “Do you want to talk about it, bae?”
Her head shook, and she gave me a soft smile. “No. I haven’t really had time to process it, you know? I appreciate everyone showing up, but I’m glad it’s just me and you now.”
“If you need some space—”
“No,” she whined firmly. “I don’t want you to leave me.”
“Then I won’t.” After pausing and kissing her forehead, I told her, “When you’re ready to talk, I’m here. And if you need to talk to a professional, let me know, and I’ll set that up for you.”
Her breath came out shaky as she passed me the blunt. “Thanks, baby. Right now, I’m just in disbelief. I’m relieved to know what happened to my dad, but I’m hurt to find out Chris was behind it. I just . . . want to rest my mind.”
“If that blunt don’t put you to sleep, I’ll roll another one then give you a massage.”
I prayed for her too.
Silently.
Because I didn’t want her to laugh at the way I talked to God.
When I was done, I accepted the blunt as she offered it to me.
A few seconds passed before she asked, “Did you pray for me?”
Smiling, I nodded. “Yeah. Why?”
“Felt it in my spirit.” Jelai lifted my hand and placed it on her chest. “And in my heart.”
“I love you, Jelai. Had I lost you today—”
“You didn’t,” she interrupted me to say, placing her pointer finger against my lips. “You saved me, yet again. No one could ever change the way I love you, respect you, and feel safe with you. I know God gave you to me. I love you so much, Yates Harris. Thank you for always protecting me.”
Our lips connected, and not too much time passed before I was putting the blunt out so I could focus completely on her.
My dick hardened, but the last thing I wanted right now was sex.
I might not have been able to stop my body from reacting to her physically, but I was determined to give her what her mind and heart needed more.
Lowering us into the bed, I pulled her onto my chest. As I caressed her hair and rubbed her back, I alternated between humming old songs I remembered my mama singing to me when I was a child and praying. And about an hour later, my gal was sleeping peacefully.
Just Under Two Months Later
I appreciated everyone showing me love. I’d gotten my patch tonight, and I was an official member of The Wilted Roses.
Southern Delightz catered the occasion, and surprisingly, Diane stayed behind at the clubhouse to help us celebrate.
She’d warmed up to me, and we had a good relationship.
More than anything, I think she finally learned not to judge a book by its cover, and she was grateful I was dedicated to keeping her daughter safe.
Jelai was still working through what happened with Chris.
She was grateful he was gone and no longer a threat, but I knew it would take her some time to get over it completely.
As Hamilton said would be the case, The Outlaws were no longer an issue.
There was complete peace between us, and I hoped it stayed that way. All in all, things were great.
The only thing that was going to make it better was growing my money and my family with Jelai, but I was a patient man.
Being sat down for a decade taught you how to be patient.
It also taught me discipline, dedication, and appreciation.
Appreciation for who I was, what I had, who loved me, and what was to come.
“From bloom to bone,” Pops chanted, handing me a shot.
I was so sick of taking shots at this point, but I accepted it. It seemed like everybody in the club wanted to take a shot with me to celebrate.
“From bloom to bone,” I repeated before we knocked the shots back.
“I’m proud of you, Son. Not just for staying true to your journey here, but I’m proud of the man you’ve become. I’m proud to be your father. I hope I get to live a good long life to see everything you’re going to accomplish now that there aren’t any obstacles standing in your way.”
“I been drinking too much for you to be putting me in my feelings, old man, but thank you. That means more to me than you’ll ever know.”
Pops laughed as he patted my back, like always. “Look around, Son. You got your patch now, and one day, this will all be yours.”
I looked around the main room of the clubhouse.
I wouldn’t lie and say I didn’t have some ideas in mind that could make the club better, but I was cool with playing the background for now.
My eyes landed on my future wife, and my priorities and goals swirled around in my head.
My goal of having a bike shop, car lot, more auto shops.
More business investments. Marrying her.
Giving her babies . . . lots and lots of babies. That’s the thought that made me smile.
As if she felt someone looking at her, Jelai looked around the room.
When our eyes locked, I shot her a wink, and she smiled.
After excusing herself from the conversation she was having with Whitney and Heather, Jelai made her way in my direction.
Pops’ words were going in one ear and out of the other as I watched her make her way to me.
This woman had me wrapped around her finger since I was fucking fifteen-years-old, and I didn’t mind if it stayed like that forever.