Page 42 of Dope Boys: Most Wanted
Reign’s expression was laced in confusion. “How’d you know I was an eight?”
“Your face, it was fuller. Nothing a good meal and more love can’t fix,” Aunt G said, cupping her face warmly. “Hm?” She released Reign’s face and gently patted her shoulders. “Let’s put you back together again.”
Markus found a seat out of the way and went back to what he was supposed to be doing, handling business. In the dressing room, Reign undressed.
“Don’t be embarrassed,” Aunt G spoke, seeing the splotches of discoloration over Reign’s body. “I know nothing else, no one will touch you again.”
“How do you know that?” Reign asked, really wanting to know. She was looking for any sign that her prayers were heard or at least past the ceiling.
“He’s taken to you. As a protector, I see it. No one is going to touch you. In the meantime, let’s start with some undergarments. Thirty-two C and a small in panties.”
Reign nipped her lip, almost uncomfortable if it weren’t for how warm Aunt G was. She watched her gather the clothes she wore in and started out of the private dressing room.
“Actually,” Reign spoke up. “Can I keep the hoodie?”
Aunt G smiled and nodded. “Of course, I’ll be right back.”
For a while, with no idea of the time that passed due to not having her phone with her, Reign was left observing herself. Full on with nowhere to run. Yes, Javier was a monster but some things she’d allowed. Her voice to be stolen, she’d allowed. The standard of treatment, she allowed. She had nothing but time in this moment to face that fact. The was a time when she’d found herself beautiful and alluring. Now, she was damaged goods – a charity case.
Aunt G returned with a handful of undergarments in one hand and basics in the other. “These are for you. Panties for every occasion and bras for work, home and outings.”
Reign grimaced. “I don’t plan on going out much, just work and … home.”
Aunt G gave her what Reign was noticing to be her signature expression.
“A young pretty girl like you deserves to have some fun. To be out. To be smiling. To laugh. Don’t worry, it’ll come.” She placed the undergarments down neatly, everything was a presentation. “We have some day-to-day basics, lounge wear, running errands, pajamas. All of that is in this garment bag.”
Reign realized that Aunt G wasn’t at all concerned by her nakedness. She kept on talking and pulling pieces off of the rack that her assistant rolled by the door. Reign put her underwear on and watched and listened.
“Work clothes, comfortable, functional, and sassy. Which I get the vibe that you’re a fiery little thing. It’s in those beautiful eyes of yours. Of course, all black for the salon.”
Reign sifted through the rack, landing on a pair of black, high-waisted wide leg jeans and a black turtleneck. She still had bruises and marks she didn’t want to draw attention to. Every article of clothing Reign put on, she slowly felt her confidence building. Aunt G stood to her right, tapping her chin.
“You need accessories and shoes. I’m going to guess a seven?”
Reign gave her a half smile. “Yeah.”
“Dante,” Aunt G called. “Grab five pairs of boots, black, grey, tan, one riding and one platform. Seven. The heels no higher than four inches.”
Although Dante wasn’t seen, Reign could hear him scurry away to grab what was needed.
“This outfit needs a pointed toe boot and a belt. Show off your little waist.”
Reign tugged at her ponytail. “I’d rather not draw too much attention to myself.”
Aunt G grinned. “Baby girl, you are the attention.”
She left Reign alone to smile faintly before she reached up, slightly wincing and pulling her ponytail loose. Nia worked magic on her hair, despite all the stress and lack of protection the last couple of days, it still cascaded over her shoulders like silk.
Aunt G returned, putting the look together before snapping her fingers, “now to enhance that beautiful face of yours. Come.”
Through a set of bright pink double doors, Reign entered the Beauty Bar. Another member of Aunt G’s team patiently waiting to match Reign’s skin tone cover up her battle wounds while teaching her how to color correct it. Thirty minutes later Reign was walking back into the boutique where Markus stood, phone pressed to his ear and his brows pinned.
“I don’t give a damn how that nigga feels. He should be happy he still got life in his body. Air in his lungs so he can sit in thelounge and fuck on his product,” Markus gritted. “He don’t need to demand another fucking thing from me. The funeral is paid in full, the family got a nice pay out. I don’t want to hear shit else about it. Let B and Angel sweat it out. As far as Cyn, she can stay where that nigga at. I don’t care about none of that, we need a new supplier that ain’t fuckin’ Luciano.”
“I could have sworn I told you no work in my place of business,” Aunt G spoke, grabbing Markus’ attention.
His eyes lifted from the heel he was aimlessly holding and looking at, to Reign who was fidgeting with her bracelets in deep thought. His scowl melted away and his lips twitched into a lopsided smirk.
