Page 73 of Dreaux: The Corporate Assassin

Rolling my eyes at his foolishness, I continued to rock my son as he fed. We were spending time at Dre’s home in South Florida, and today, he decided to have a family barbecue. I love the fact that his family has their own compound. After going back and forth from my home to his, we decided that we would live here. It was really a no-brainer because Dre wasn’t going to have it any other way. He couldn’t stand the cold weather in Milly Grove.

“Are you still loving being the queen of your castle?” Jerome gestured around the room dramatically. “Do you miss the Grove?”

“You know Milly Grove will always be home.” I placed my baby over my shoulder and burped him. His little ass was already knocked out. “I just want to be where my man is. I do miss working with the guys in the office, though.”

Being a federal agent is all I ever wanted to be growing up. When he and I decided to give this relationship our all, I transferred to a new location close to the city. I don’t know the aspect of everything Andre does, but I know that our lives would be conflicts of interest if not for his position at Boudreaux Enterprises. As much as I love my job and what I do, I would have given it up if he wanted me too. Surprisingly, he didn’t ask. What I do know is that he’s my husband—the love of my life. I would never allow any harm to come to him or his family. If he ever needed me for anything or if there was anything I think he needed to be aware of, I’d tell him every single time. I’m confident that he would do the same for me.

“Girl, fuck them. I wouldn’t even be working if I was you.” He came and pulled my son from my arms before I could lay him back down. “You have a fine-ass husband who’s paid and treats you like a queen. I would be on my hands and knees?—”

“Mommy, what are you doing up here?” Briley burst into the room as only she could. Thankfully, she didn’t wake her brother. “Daddy said you better not be up here sleep.”

Giggling at my daughter, I walked over and fixed her little ponytails. She’s gotten to the point where she wants Dre to do everything for her, and sometimes, he has my girl looking crazy. Although her parts were crooked and ponytails were uneven, she was still the prettiest little girl in the world.

After we decided to be together, we sat Bri down and told her that her father had been hurt and was in a better place. Dre refused to tell her he’d died and gone to Heaven because he was sure that he was Diddy-bopping for the Devil. I wasn’t going to tell her that, no matter how much I hated Bryce. She understood that he was gone and never coming back. She was sad for a while, and even though Dre wasn’t trying to intentionally replace Bryce, he was doing an excellent job at being her daddy.

“Go tellDaddythat I’m getting AJ ready, and I’ll be down in a minute.” She nodded and ran off before I could tell her how pretty she looked in her green and white dress. Dre wanted all of us to dress in green and white today so she, AJ, and I had on stripes.

When painting the nursery, we researched the various colors and their meaning because I was adamant about painting the room something other than blue. Dre got really into the science of colors and ended up hiring an interior designer for me to work with to redo the entire house. We painted AJ’s room sage green and burnt orange because it represented a good balance of calm and playful energy. Green and white paired together represented peace, unity, and prosperity, and we loved that. Dre was big on us being communicative about our thoughts and feelings because he liked balance and peace after handling his day-to-day work. He felt green and white were our colors now, and I had racked up on clothes in both colors in various shades. My green and white dress was a striped halter that matched Bri’s striped smock, while AJ had a green and white striped sleeper. The baby weight had me a little self-conscious these days, so I always opted for something loose-fitting, and this fit-and-flare style always did the trick.

“Daddy, huh?” Jerome asked as he followed me to my bedroom. He’d been staying with us, along with my mother, to help with the new baby, and I fear he’s never going home. While I love the women in Dre’s family, I also love having my own tribe here too. “She loves that man for real.”

“Like she came from his sac.” I snickered as I looked at myself in the mirror. My curls were loose, and my face was bare with only some lash extensions. This is how Dre loved me, so I was happy to oblige. “The day she called him ‘Daddy’ for the first time, I think I shed more tears than him.”

Dre has never been an emotional man, but he reserves that for me and our kids. The night Bri called him Daddy shocked us all. We’d just told him about the baby, and she asked if she could call him dad too. It was the most precious moment, and one I’ll remember forever.

“All right! Let’s go eat.” I turned and faced Jerome and found him staring at me. “What’s wrong?” I looked down at my dress in hopes that I looked okay. “Should I change?”

Smiling, he rocked the baby in one arm and pulled me into the other. I’m so proud of you, Denim. I prayed that a man would find you and love you the way you deserve. You’re worthy of all the happiness and success you’ve had in your life, and I know it will only get better. I love you so much, sis.”

Dabbing my eyes, I wrapped my arms around Jerome and kissed his cheek. He’s been my rock through so much in life, and I pray it never changes. “I love you too, Rome.”

“Okay, okay… come on before you start wailing like you was in the club.” He chuckled as I wiped my eyes once more, smiling. “You know Dre has antennas and can sense when you have been crying, and I don’t have time for his shit today.” He grabbed my hand and led me out of the room and down the stairs. “Plus, I’m trying to bag one of these rich niggas. I can’t do that if I’m out here tussling.”

Laughing at his antics, we made our way through the house and out back, where everyone was located. The house was massive, with lots of land between the others on the compound. Bri loved it more than I did, and I was happy to raise her in the unlimited space. Andre let the girl do whatever she wanted, including decorating a separate room specifically for tea parties. I didn’t have a dog in the fight, so I minded my business at all times.

“Rome, how come every time I look up, you are always attached to my wife and kids?”

“Because we’re all in this relationship together. Although you chose my cousin over me, I still love you.”

“Nigga…” Dre kissed his teeth and snatched my hand from Rome’s. I couldn’t stop myself from folding over in laughter. “Give me my damn son.”

Rolling his eyes, Rome smirked and handed us over. Kissing AJ’s forehead, I saw all the love Andre had for him. I think I may have fallen in love with him a little bit more after watching.

“You ready to enjoy the day?” he asked me as he kissed my lips. The yard was covered in tents with food, a live DJ, and games for the kids. All of our family had shown up, and the grounds were full of people.

I nodded, taking in the view and feeling the joy.

“You feeling okay, Lil’ Mama?”

“As long as I have you, Andre… I’m just fine.”

Kissing me again, we made our way through the yard to mingle with our family and friends. Life with Dre is one I never dreamed of and never want to live without. My husband is everything to me and my family. I’m thankful he decided to let me live and give love a chance. Would I do it again? We’ll never know because I don’t have to. Dre is mine—forever.

“I wishyour mother could have been here to see you like this, Dre. She would have loved a mini you just as much as I do.”

Placing my hand on my grandmother’s shoulder, I gave it a slight squeeze as I stood and watched her love on my son. I know she has many years of life ahead of her, but I’m happy I could give her one of the things she wanted most for me: to be in love and have my own family. Denim came into my life at a time when I thought this kind of happiness was too far out of reach, and I could never repay her for that.

“You think so?” I asked out of genuine curiosity. “You always say he’s me, made over.”

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