Page 65 of Dreaux: The Corporate Assassin

“You did good,” I assured her as I tipped her chin and brought her eyes to mine. “I’m proud of you, Dee.”

Giving me a small smile, she pulled away and made her rounds, speaking to the girls. We had time ahead of us with getting the girls checked out and locating their families, but we were going to make it happen. As I gazed around, I found little mama from earlier. Winking at her, she gave me the brightest smile, and it made the stress of these past few weeks’ worth it. As the other agents made their way inside, I took one last look at Denim. Tonight was the end of many chapters, ours included. I love the girl, I admit that, but she and I will never be. The damage has been done, and we could never exist in each other’s world. I’m a criminal, and she’s a federal agent.

The life I live is one that can’t include love and family. I’ve lost both my parents to this mafia life, and I’ll be damned if I lose Denim—hell, even Briley to it too. I love them enough to let them go. I’ll deal with pain the only way I know how: killing niggas.

* * *

“So,brothers and sisters, I say to you today that the battle doesn’t belong to you; it’s the Lord. Don’t worry about the enemy! Don’t worry about the naysayers! We are covered by the blood of Jesus, and no weapon formed against us shall prosper! Psalm Chapter 23 Verse 5 says, Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anoints my head with oil; my cup runneth over! Don’t worry about tomorrow and what may come! Know that God has you covered! The doors of the church are open!”

Standing to my feet, I lifted my hands with a bowed head and thanked God for the message I received today. I finally arrived home two days ago, and my first stop was the church. My mind and heart had been heavy since I returned, and I needed prayer, guidance, and clarity.

“I’m so happy to have you back here, baby.” My grandmother wrapped me in her arms as soon as my grandfather closed us out with prayer. “I’ve missed you so much!”

“I’ve missed you too, Sweets.” I kissed her forehead. “It feels good to be home.”

As I let her go, my cousins came over and showed her love. When I called them and told them my plans for the day, they told me they would join me. Seeing all of her babies in the House of the Lord always made my grandmother’s day.

“Oh my word! I’m so happy to see all of you.” She reached up and pinched Rosier’s cheeks, causing us all to simper. “Now, I have to go home and see what I’m going to cook for you. I wish you all had told me; I would have been better prepared.”

“You don’t have to do that, Ma.” Jules smiled as he kissed her cheek. “How about we take you out to eat today? Wherever you want to go…”

“You know there isn’t a kitchen in this city that’s better than mine.” We all smiled and nodded. One thing about my grandmother was that she could throw down, and we all knew it. “Let me go and grab Earl. He will sit over there and talk to those deacons all day.”

Listening to Jules speak about all the food he was going to eat, I glanced around the congregation at all the smiling faces. Even though it felt good to be back surrounded by family, something was missing—or should I say someone?

After the warehouse was raided, Rebecca and the other traffickers were arrested. I kept my distance from Denim once the deed was done. We communicated on the strength of making sure the girls were reunited with their families, but that’s about it. She wanted me to attend press conferences with her to ensure I got recognition, but that wasn’t my thing. I also had to let her know that I didn’t want my family’s name attached to what was going on in any capacity. She understood and kept it moving.

Once I sent the final email with lingering information I had that may connect the sex trafficking ring in Milly Grove to other cities and states, I packed my shit and hit the road to South Florida. I had the front desk send a peace lily to Denim with a note that said, “Sorry for your feelings, but not for my actions.” I was hoping she understood that it was my way of wanting mutual understanding about her cousins. I didn’t regret anything I did because all of my actions were mere reactions to shit other people had done to me. But if there was one thing I did regret, it was not saying goodbye to Briley. I love that little girl, and I hate to think I disappointed her in some way.

“You aight, bro? You have been quiet all day.”

Seated in my grandmother’s living room, the fellas and I decided to watch a college ball game while the ladies cooked. Sweets had enough food to feed a small army when we got here, but she decided it wasn’t enough, so she enlisted Gabby and Bridgette to help. Mimi was only here for moral support. Sweets even told us to call and invite Luca, Trench, and Nicky. Not only that, but she insisted that I send a jet for Skip, Uno, and Wild. Jumping at the chance to have Sunday dinner with us, they were on the way and set to arrive in two hours.

“Just some shit on my mind, man.” I rubbed my hand over my face as I responded to Rosier. “Got some shit I need to sort is all.”

“Like your wife?” Jules asked as he came into the living room, pulling a chicken wing out of his pocket. “Don’t look at me like that, nigga. You know Sweets won’t let us snack on shit until she’s completely done.”

“Any-fuckin-way.” I mugged him as I gave my attention back to Zoo. “The casino is coming along well, and I’ve been thinking about the other businesses Uno’s associates wanted us to oversee.” I shrugged as if it wasn’t a big deal. His eyes were still trained on me, so I dropped my shoulders and threw my head back. “And I’m thinking about Denim. I fell in love with the fuckin’ enemy.”

“Stop cursing in my damn house, boy!” I jumped slightly when my grandfather came into the room. “Plus, you just left the church.”

“I apologize, Pop,” I stated honestly as he took his seat in his recliner. “I didn’t mean to disrespect you or your home.”

“I know, son.” He gave me a small smile as he sipped his sweet tea. “Tell me about this girl you like. I never thought I’d see the day.”

“You thought my boy was gay or something?” Jules asked as he smacked on the hot chicken. “Dang, Dre! You out here doing bad.”

Grunting, my grandfather turned his head toward the kitchen. “Sweets, the hoodoo boy stole some of your bird!”

With eyes wide, Jules stood from the couch and took off running toward the back patio when Sweets came from the kitchen with her rolling pin. We all laughed with tears in our eyes as she waved it and chased him through the yard.

“That boy ain’t got the good sense God blessed him with.” Pop chuckled before his eyes landed on me. “I’m listening.”

“Denim is hands down the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. The way she loves her family, most importantly her daughter, is the sexiest thing to me. She’s smart, funny, and has her stuff together.”

“What’s the problem?” He eyed me in confusion. “You ain’t said nothing wrong.”

“She’s a federal agent.” I sighed heavily as I stood from the couch and walked to the living room window. I could feel everyone’s eyes following me and hanging on to my every word. “But more importantly, Denim’s an agent that was out for the Boudreaux’s. She even went as far as speaking with Mattie in hopes of finding something on us. I knew about her and her undercover attempt to accuse me and my cousins of some unsolved crimes, but that didn’t stop me from investing my time into her and her daughter.” I chuckled humorlessly. “I just can’t reason with myself why I would get in bed with someone who would be considered an enemy. The whole time… she thought she had the one up on me, but I’d already known who she was… and I still entertained her. I still got in bed with the enemy, and I can’t for the life of me understand why I did that shit because now… Lil’ Mama is a constant thought.”

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