Page 51 of Deacon

A low chuckle leaves Dutch’s mouth, and I join him despite being completely serious about what I said. Most people think I’m crazy, but I have never denied it or the fact that God continues to spare me. I have never been worthy of his grace, but I’m never short of my appreciation for being a recipient of it.

“Can you come in here and dance with me, Deacon? I feel left out since everyone else is with their partner. Oh, Dutch, Makari is looking for you,” Squeak says, causing my chest to tighten and release upon seeing the woman of the hour.

“I ain’t about to be slow dancing and shit, Squeak,” I say.

“Oh, you can sing raunchy songs for karaoke, but you draw the line at slow dancing. Hm. Whatever. Bring your ass, Deacon,” Squeak rolls her eyes and reenters the venue leaving me alone with Dutch again.

“I suggest you bring your ass or deal with the consequences because little ass Squeak didn’t look like she was playing with you, bro,” Dutch says, heading toward the entrance and smirking.

“Looks like I’m not the only brother with a woman he has to figure out how to lock down for life,” I say.

“You have no idea. Catch you on the next go-round, bro,” Dutch says.

The exchange between him and Makari is full of tension… sexual, stress, and relational, which instantly gives me a reason to take comfort in the relatable turmoil my brother is experiencing because it lets me know that I’m not the only one going through with the woman he loves.

“No wonder your ass hurried in the venue when Squeak said she was looking for you,” I say.

“Go to hell, Deacon,” Dutch grumbles, walking away toward Makari, who’s watching him intently.

Feminine voices pierces the air, and I turn to see Tinker Belle and Squeak, arm in arm, laughing at something only known to the two of them.

Damn, my bitch is bad!

“We’re about to head to Tinker Belle’s house. Are you sure you’re coming to get me, Deacon? I don’t want to force myself to stay awake if you’re not gonna show up,” Squeak asks with a cute pout

, transforming her features.

“Go to sleep if you need to, love. Even if I gotta pick the lock, your ass will be sleeping next to me by daybreak,” I say, pulling Squeak into me, nestling my face in her neck, and inhaling the scent she’s wearing. “I’m gonna have to buy you a few bottles of whatever this is you’re wearing, Squeak.” Kissing her neck, I smirk when a shiver rattles her body, taking pleasure in having an effect on my woman.

“De-mm-babe, please let me go while you still have time to do so,” Squeak says breathlessly.

“Come on, girl. You’ll see your man soon. Let him wrap up his business with the guys. I don’t know why they insist on meeting after we party, but—” Tinker Belle thankfully stops talking while pulling Squeak away from me before giving me a quick wink.

While Squeak is none the wiser about what’s about to happen, Smoke’s pillow-talking ass told Tinker Belle what we have going on. Tapping my chest, I watch until Squeak and Tinker Belle leave the parking lot.

“Let’s go snatch a nigga’s breath,” Gunz says, walking up beside me.

“Maybe we should have discussed how we were gonna kill this nigga. What the hell am I looking at right now?” Shadow asks.

“My girls were hungry, so I’m giving them a treat. You might want to step back because their asses can sometimes gettunnel vision while they’re enjoying their freebies,” Boston says, smiling like a proud father.

“Treat? Nigga, who the fuck has rats for pets?” Shadow asks, outraged.

“Shh. Loki and Shoogieboogie might hear you and set their sights on you instead of that nigga,” Boston whispers looking at Shadow, who has a vexed expression.

Pure, unadulterated joy flows through my veins at seeing the two rats taking large bites out of Too Sweet.

“Fuuckkk. Di-Diesel, man. Please, what did I do?” Too Sweet cries in a high-pitched tone, and a sinister smirk twists my mouth.

Stepping forward, I decide to enlighten Too Sweet of his reason for becoming a delicacy for Boston’s pets.

“Once upon a time, there was a nigga who?—”

“Nursery rhymes, Deacon? Be fucking for real,” Gunz says, laughing.

“Hasn’t your mom ever told you not to interrupt while she’s reading your bedtime story, bro?” I ask Gunz, who laughs harder while Shadow shakes his head, and I continue. “Where was I… oh, let me cut to the chase since Gunz's impatient ass made me lose my train of thought. You… Mr. No Longer Sweet, are here on the brink of death for not only entering Baxtown Iron under false pretense but also for letting Daxx fuck you into the dummy mission you were on with Squeak.”

“Loo-look, it was all Daxx’s idea. He t—fuck. Get these fucking rats off me, man,” Too Sweet pleads with his breathing becoming labored.

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