Page 72 of Dreaux: The Corporate Assassin

“No, thank you, sir.” I declined as I took a seat in a nearby chair. “Who knows what all Bri is going to have me doing today? I need to be alert, focused, and sober. There’s no telling where she’s going to drag me off to.”

We both chuckled, and I watched as he walked over to his bar to pour himself a shot of scotch. For a moment, my mind drifted to my own father because it was his drink of choice too.

“You know… the last time you were here, I wasn’t sure about you.” He took a seat across from me instead of behind his desk. “You came into my house and flat out told me you’d married my daughter. That’s not the way a father wants to find out his baby girl got hitched.”

The morning after I took Briley and Denim to my penthouse, my first stop was at her parents’ home before her father could leave for work. I had already asked Jerome to talk to them about Denim and Briley being distant, but I knew she would be missing for more than a few days, so I decided to introduce myself and assure them she was okay. It was helpful that Judge Atkins was familiar with Jules and who my family was, but their child was still married to a stranger.

“I admit, the way we went about things wasn’t the best way,” I said, gesturing understanding with my hands. I’d told Mr. Atkins all about Jules and me tricking Denim into signing the marriage license. He and I had never said the words aloud, but he knew I was into some illegal shit, and his baby girl was FBI’s current savior. Marrying her was the only way to keep her alive, and my brothers and I from having to use a lot of pull to keep me out of prison. “My decision was the only way to keep us both safe. I knew what was going to happen once Denim got what she wanted out of me, and instead of doing what I normally do, I chose to protect us both.”

“Ha. My daughter told me how she initially wanted to lock you up.” He sipped his drink and eyed me. “Seems to me she knows firsthand that all of her assumptions about you were true.” I said nothing in response because at the end of the day, he was a federal judge. Seeing that I was electing to neither confirm nor deny, he continued, “The law isn’t always black and white, and I know that. We all have done things that may not be deemed right or ethical in the court of law. My concern here is the well-being of Denim and Briley. You’re married, and I don’t know where you guys will go from here. But what I do know is… I don’t care who you are or what connections you have. I’m not playing with you, or anyone else, when it comes to the livelihood and safety of those two in the kitchen.”

Eyes locked on one another, I understood and received his message loud and clear. He wasn’t coming to me as the enemy; he was coming to me as a husband, father, and grandfather. My sentiments mimicked his. My only plans were to love and protect the girls as well.

“You have my word that I will love and protect them both with everything I have in me.” I held my hand to my chest and gave him my word. “As long as I can help it, no form of hurt, harm, or danger will come to either of them.”

“Do you love my daughter?”

“I do,” I answered without an ounce of doubt or hesitation.

“How do you know?”

“Because I don’t wake up in the morning wanting to put a bullet in her head,” I said honestly. “Denim has done some things that I wouldn’t take lightly and would never forgive anyone else for. We have a lot of things to work through personally within our relationship, but I know I don’t want to work on the issues with anyone but her. She and Briley have my entire heart. Me hurting them is not an option, and I’m laying down anything or anyone that tries. That’s my word.”

He eyed me for a moment before standing to his feet and extending his hand for me to shake. Standing, I accepted as he pulled me into his embrace and patted my shoulders.

“Welcome to the family, son. Thank you for loving my girls the way you do.”

We sat again and talked for almost an hour before we heard tiny feet patting down the hallway. Before we knew it, his study door burst open, and Bri marched in like a girl on a mission.

“There you are!” She ran straight to me and hopped in my lap. “My mommy told me to tell you that the food was ready and to come eat so we could leave.”

“Why the long face?” I stood and pinched her cheek as she sulked. “You know I hate to see you sad.”

Leaving the study, I followed the smell of freshly cooked food, and my stomach was pleased. Denim and I fucked all night and into the morning with only three hours of sleep, and I was running off fumes.

“I’m scared that once we leave here, you’re going to find a reason to leave me and Mommy again. You’re my bestest friend in the whole world, Andre. I love you.”

The words from this little girl almost brought tears to my eyes. I could feel the love she had for me pouring from her pores. Of all the bad shit I’ve done, I don’t know what I did to deserve Briley, but I thanked God for seeing fit that I do.

“I love you too, Big Bri.” The smile on her face could brighten the darkest sky. “You never have to worry about me leaving you because as long as you and Mommy want me to be here, you’ll have me.”

“How about we start with forever?” Denim asked as we rounded the corner, walking into the kitchen. “I think that’s plenty of time.”

Looking from Denim back to Bri’s hopeful eyes, I kissed her cheek before walking over and planting one on Denim’s lips. “Forever it is.”

Holding them both in my arms, I thanked God for allowing me to wake up and come to my senses about being here with them. The road hasn’t been easy, and I doubt that it would be. All I know is that Briley and Denim are my family now, and that’s something I don’t play about. I love these girls, and I’ll be damned if I ever leave them. Coming to Milly Grove, I never expected to fall in love, but I’ll be damned if I ever want to fall out.

One YearLater

“Hey there, little one. What are you crying for?” I cooed as I walked over to the crib and picked up my two-month-old son. “Are you hungry?”

Scooping him into my arms, I couldn’t help but nuzzle his fat cheek and relish in his newborn baby smell. Andre Jr., or AJ, is the spitting image of his father in every sense of the word. From his complexion to his little attitude, I know he’s going to give me a run just like Dre. I love my baby boy, though, and wouldn’t trade him for anything.

This past year and a half has been a whirlwind, but I’m thankful for it. I never expected to find love with the very man I wanted to arrest, but God has a funny way of changing your plans. I’m grateful I got out of my way and allowed it to happen.

Removing my left breast from my dress, I rubbed my nipple against my son’s lip, and he latched on immediately. I wanted to say I couldn’t believe I had an infant son, but that would be a lie. His father and I couldn’t keep our hands off each other, so it was inevitable.

“Sis, what are you—ugh!” Jerome placed his hands over his eyes as he walked into the nursery. “Every time I see you, you have your damn titties out. I’m going to need my nephew to drink Similac or something.”

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