Page 186 of Meraux Mafia: No Ordinary Love

“Good morning, mama,” I greeted Sadie with a kiss. Last night she stayed to babysit so Lo and I could go out and enjoy ourselves.

She turned down Hailo’s many invitations to move until Serenity started walking, and she missed it. Sadie couldn’t stand being that far away from her grandbaby. Within three months, she was living in DuPont Falls. We were lucky enough to find her a house in our neighborhood.

I was skeptical at first because I damn sure didn’t want to live that close to my mother, but Sadie was different. She didn’t bother us; when she did, it was usually because she wanted Serenity.

“Good morning. I’m surprised you’re up this early.”

“My body is trained, I guess. I couldn’t go back to sleep.”

“Did you guys make another one last night?” She asked, peering up at me as she took a sip of her coffee.

“I don’t know, but I tried,” I smiled candidly. “Is Lo okay?”

“She seems like it. Why?” Sadie asked, standing up straight.

“No reason.”

“Don’t bullshit me, Gianni.”

“She was a little weird last night, that’s all.”

“You know your wife,” she smiled, mocking how I constantly referred to Hailo. “It’s probably something brewing in her head that she isn’t ready to talk about yet. When she is, she’ll come to you. She always does.”

“Thanks, mama.”

“You’re welcome. What do you want for breakfast?”

Rubbing my hands together, I was prepared to pick something up because I wasn’t cooking, and I knew Hailo wasn’t either. Sadie offered, and I wasn’t going to pass up her biscuits and gravy.

“Would you stop spoiling him?” Hailo groaned, moseying into the kitchen with Serenity on her hip.

“I don’t see you complaining when it’s you.”

“Both of you stop. It’s enough of my love to go around. Besides, we all know Renni is my favorite. Isn’t that right, boo,” she smiled, pinching Serenity’s cheek. “You look like you had fun last night. A little too much fun,” Sadie leaned in, assessing the passion mark I didn’t even realize I left on her chest. By the way, Hailo clutched her shirt, trying to cover it. I don’t think she did, either.

After breakfast, I showered so I could handle business for the day. Since we figured out Trent wasn’t behind the shooting, he requested a sit-down. My only demand was no more side deals and to keep Marcel in line because it wouldn’t end well for anybody if I had to.

We resolved this, and business has been booming ever since. I couldn’t say the same for Trent and TJ’s relationship. Every time we met, I could see the contempt in TJ’s eyes for his father. I don’t know how they conducted business when they could barely sit in the same room, but that wasn’t my problem.

“Where are you headed?” Hailo asked.

“I have to meet with Trent and TJ.”

Hailo nodded. She was much less bothered by being in the same city as her father, but today she seemed rattled at the mention of him.

“You good?” I asked.

“Trent texted me. He said TJ wants to meet with me.”

“How do you feel about that?”

“I haven’t responded yet. Whenever I put Trent and all his shit behind me, it always finds a way to creep back. TJ is innocent in this whole fucked up thing, so I feel bad, but I’m a little too old for new siblings.”

“It’s no rush, Lo. If you need time, take it. You don’t have to answer today, tomorrow, or the day after. You don’t owe anybody shit. Not even them.”

She cracked a smile, and my favorite girl was back. The version of her that wasn’t afraid to share her thoughts and feelings with me. The beautifully secure version because my love made her that way.

“What did I do to deserve you?” Hailo asked, and though her question was rhetorical, I decided to answer anyway.

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