Page 21 of Nobody But You

“Get the fuck out of here. Like on some arranged marriage type shit like the mafia?” Ren asked.

“Exactly like that, talking about it could strengthen the family,” I said and laughed.

“We’re higher than the US Mafia, though,” D said.

“I told his ass that and cut all that ‘we’re’ shit out. You supply computer technology. That’s it!” I followed, making sure he understood. He gave me a scrutinizing look before Demi broke up our stare-down.

“Why in the hell would he ask you to marry her when I was right here?” Demi said.

“Shut your extra married ass up, Demi,” Ren said. They were all happily married, but Demi had been secretly married since he was eighteen.

His simping ass!

“Right, because where is Melanie’s thick ass anyway?” I said as I glanced into the ballroom, looking to see where their women were. I knew they were somewhere amongst the guests together. Something akin to anger flashed across his eyes before he smirked.

“Yeah, like I thought, talking about my damn mama like that.” I taunted.

“So, are you going to do it?” D asked.

“Surprisingly, Brice talked to her about it, and she didn’t sound like she would object. I’m down if she is. However, y’all saw her just now trying to destroy the family jewels; what in the hell do you think?” I said, both pissed off and turned on by the act.

“True! Y’all were over here fighting each other like Blanka and Chun-Li from Street Fighter. Well, maybe not Blanka because that’s one of D’s green-ass personalities. Let’s go with Ken.” Demi said, laughing. This nigga stayed calling Devin the Hulk or whatever big-ass green character he could think of. Before I could respond, my mother caught my eye.

“What the fuck,” I said as I gazed into the ballroom. My mother was having an intense conversation with Miller. I quickly started to walk in her direction, with D, Demi, and Ren walking just behind me.

“Bingo, we got action!” I heard Demi yell behind me.

How in the hell did he even get in here? Last I checked, he was in New York.

I reached Miller in record time, grabbing him by the collar and pushing him against the nearest table. When he braced himself on the surface, discarded wine glasses fell to the floor, shattering, bringing the attention of a few nearby guests. Devin and his brothers crowded around us, blocking out their view. The other guests returned to their conversations because we appeared to be doing the same.

“Do we have a fucking problem?” I said to Miller as he looked at me and smirked. I saw red. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the man who was with Miller at the steakhouse. He had another man with him whose hand was ready to pull out. I mentally cataloged his appearance while Miller’s hand raised slightly, halting him from fully discharging.

I glanced at Devin, who had discreetly taken out his gun; he’d seen it too. His finger was on the trigger, low in front of his groin, where no one could see. I tightened my grip, restricting Miller’s airways.

“I said do we have a fucking problem?” I repeated myself, which I hated to do. He finally conceded by throwing his hands in the air before I let go of his collar. He fell over with a cough and went through the crowd with his two men flanking him.

“Ma, are you good? Do you know that nigga?” The questions were fired out before she had the chance to answer them.

“It’s ok, I’m fine, Stephon,” she said, but I knew she was anything but. Not to mention, she hadn’t answered my second question.

“If you want to leave, just let me know, and I’ll take you home.”

“Nonsense. The night isn’t over, and you already threw him out. Besides, you still have work to do,” she said, patting my chest and walking back over to where her friends were. I blew out a harsh breath. My mother was bothered. I could see it written all over her face. The worried lines creased her forehead and eyes. Just as quickly as they had appeared, they were gone. It was too late; I’d already seen them. Miller had just moved himself up on my list. Iknew where my mother was, but because of that motherfucker I’d lost track of Jourdan.

Shit!

“Damn, your mama got all the old niggas in here going crazy tonight,” Demi said and laughed.

“Yo, between Jourdan and my mother, motherfuckers better tread lightly around here. I’m already on ten, and they don’t want to see eleven,” I said to Devin and his brothers, who were still huddled around me. I was raging inside.

“Look at D’s ass! Put that shit up. You’re AARP now. That means your old ass is retired,” Demi said. Devin quickly holstered his gun and put him in a headlock.

“Here they go with this shit,” Ren said, shaking his head. They all laughed at their antics. I was too focused on Miller and his two men, still making their way to the exit. I turned and headed for the back exit that Jourdan had come in through earlier.

“Yo, Steph, Steph,” Ren called out. I would have turned to answer, but Steph wasn’t the one he was calling out to. Almost to the door, I heard a transmission from the walkie.

“Steph.” It was Brody’s ass.

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