Page 23 of A Boy is a Gun: Part I
“Yeah,” I agree. My Daddy did bless Mia from above. “She looks a lot like her Granddaddy.”
“She does.” Ethan agrees. The smile quickly disappears, and I already know what this conversation will be about. “I need to talk to you about Finesse.”
The fact that Ethan calls Cameron by his street name isn’t lost on me. I knew the conversation was going in this direction, and Mia was just a lead-in. “I have nothing to say, Ethan.”
“This impacts you, and I think you need to listen more than retort.” He firmly suggests. “I don’t know if you know or even care, but Jamie Page is moving back to Atlanta. She’ll be here very soon. We’re currently dating, and I will propose to her soon.” He taps a finger on the chair. “And Jamie has made it clear where she stands with Finesse and the rest of the family. She’s not going to blink if something happens to them.”
I know a threat when I see one, even if it comes from a family friend. “Okay.”
Ethan studies my face for any reaction, and he’s disappointed he’s not getting anything. “I don’t want anything to happen to you and Mia. I also don’t want anything to happen to this shop. Jamie told me you two might go into business together, and I’m all for it. Jamie’s an excellent cook, and I think you two will be wildly successful. Success often comes at a price, which sometimes means some people can’t be around to enjoy your fruits with you.”
My first thoughts are my parents and Alicia, but I know Ethan is talking about Cameron. I don’t know what Jamie has told Ethan or what intel Ethan has on his own, but it’s clear he’s confident he has enough where things are already in motion. “Okay.”
Ethan doesn’t try to hide the disappointment on his face. “Taylor, I’m serious here.” It’s clear he’s tired of my one-word answers, but what else did he expect me to say? I couldn’t tell him anything if I wanted to. Cameron keeps things from me for my protectionand his.“I don’t want you and Mia to get caught up in this. Cameron can go away for a very long time, possibly life. You’re still young and can find a nice, clean man and be with someone Lamont would be proud of.”
If Ethan didn’t mean to cross a line, he just did big time. “Bold of you to mention my dead father to prove a point.”
Ethan gives a grin and then stands up. “We’ll be in contact soon, Taylor.” He begins to leave before he turns around. “You can’t be in fear with someone you love. It’s not healthy.” He leaves.
Sitting back in my chair, I play with the necklace holding my mother’s ashes. I glance down at a photo of Daddy and Alicia in happier times and wonder how they all are doing in heaven. Would they be concerned? Disappointed? Proud? A combination of all?
I know they weren’t expecting this turn of events in my life and honestly, neither did I. No little girl grows up thinking she’s going to be involved with one of the world's most powerful and corrupted families.
I have to keep pretending everything is okay, that everything will be OK, and that nothing major will happen unless something goes down first. I’m not sure if I’m that great of an actress.
As I pack up for the night, my mind wanders back to Ethan. He’s been a part of my life since I was a teen, and he’s one of the last links to Daddy, other than family. I know Ethan’s pursuit of Cameron is trying to clean up the streets and protect me.
I also know that Ethan knows that by pursuing Cameron, he just signed his death wish. Cameron won’t hesitate to take out anyone threatening him – Ethan and Jamie included.
Three
Taylor
There’s a process I’m still getting used to whenever I come home.
Once I approach the security gate, two guards follow me as I drive along the winding road to the front door. Once I park, another set of guards takes the car and helps me unload everything. They double-check for wires and tracking devices before giving them back to me within an hour.
If I have Mia with me, they always check her diaper and put a new one on her. That part is overkill, but Cameron said he could never be too sure. It’s whatever. I’m glad those burly men aren’t too afraid of baby poop.
Once I’m inside, it’s business as usual. I meet with Tesh to see how things are with Mia before I take her or take a nap. It’s a well-ran ship here, and I’m not complaining. A life of luxury isn’t about designer labels or fancy vacations sometimes. It can also mean a mother taking a much-needed nap.
Today, I took a nap. Today was a super busy day at the shop, but I’m also overloaded with everything. Now, I understand the urgency in Cameron’s voice about us talking when he came home today. He probably found out as well.
I don’t worry about any of that. My eyes tell me I need to sleep, and I will listen. I’ll deal with everything once I wake up.
Hours later, I wake up, and it’s already nighttime. I forgot to set the alarm, and the time is telling me it’s 8 P.M. already. Fuck. I’ll never go back to sleep; by the time I do, it’ll be time for me to go to Fresh Espresso.
I’m not even mad at Tesh for not waking me up. She probably saw that I looked like the devil and wanted me to rest. She is a blessing.
The bedroom door buzzes before it opens up. I barely wipe the crust out of my eyes before I see Cameron smile and wink at me before he heads to the closet to change. He gets into casual wear, meets me at the bed, and sits with me. “Angel…” His voice is barely above a whisper.
“Baby…” I match his. We kiss, and I feel at home again. The way Cameron kisses me, it’s almost like ownership. His lips are demanding yet gentle, and I always long for more.
My man’s here. Mia’s daddy is here. Everything is all right in the world now.
He pulls away, and I moan slightly at a loss. “How was your nap? Tesh didn’t want to disturb you because she said you looked like hell when you came home.”
“And wow, Tesh doesn’t hold back, huh?” I chuckle, and he smiles. I probably looked like hell. I felt like it.
