Page 65 of Mafia Kings & Wedding Rings 2: The Finale
“Mommy, your house is nice!” Jury’s big brown eyes stretched even wider as she lifted them to the high ceilings and stared around in awe from my brother’s arms.
I hadn’t expected to get so choked up seeing them together as well. It was obvious from the big grin on Sapphire’s face that he was also happy to be holding his niece again. I’d been cleaning since yesterday, and now everything was so spotless you could see yourself in it or eat off it. My brother lowered her to the ground, and I ran right to her and knelt so that we could embrace. My ex was also taking in our home, seemingly impressed, but naturally curious as well from his expression. I hugged my baby girl so tight she grunted like she couldn’t breathe. Releasing her was a challenge, so I stood there gripping her shoulders and taking in every single feature. Before I even realized it, I was crying real tears. Never one for the constant emotions or tears, I sniffled and quickly wiped them away before plastering a smile on my lips.
“Jury, you’re so big.” I ran my fingers through her hair.
“Don’t cry, Mommy.” She reached out and swept one of my tears away with her little finger.
“I can’t help it. I have been so excited to see you again. What have you been eating? You were not this tall the last time I saw you.”
“Silly, Mommy. I eat all the stuff I like. Daddy isn’t the best cook though.” She leaned in to whisper. “But Ashley makes yummy stuff.”
And there it was. So Ashley was still present. I guess he didn’t feel the need to tell me. Standing tall, I rested my hands on my hips and stroked her little cheek.
“That’s good. Are you hungry? I thought maybe we could go out to eat. There is this Italian restaurant around the corner. I know how much you love bread and pasta.”
“Lasagna sounds so good,” Jury gushed.
“Amazing, with a side salad and breadsticks. Yum.” I made a silly face and licked my lips, which made her laugh.
“Come on, Jury.” Sapphire picked up her little rolling luggage bag from the floor. “I can show you up to your room.”
“Thanks, Sap.” I watched him take her hand and lead her through the rest of the condo before spinning toward Juke.
Nodding, he walked around me and continued to study my home with approval.
“This is some nice digs, Em. How can you afford it though?”
“I have my ways.”
“Legal, I hope,” Juke snickered, pausing in front of the TV and facing me.
“I wouldn’t have it any other way. You didn’t have to come here and check on me either. I’m still very capable of caring for my own child.”
“I know. I wanted to see you.” His toasted brown skin was smooth, covered by a thick goatee and mustache that he stroked while raking his rounded brown orbs over me. “You look good.”
“I’m aware.” I batted my eyes and simpered while he shook his head.
“I don’t want to be your enemy.” Juke held up his hands, showing the little flex in his upper arms.
He’d always been big on being in shape, and the tattoos that now accompanied his arms stood out. There was no denying he was handsome, but I wasn’t attracted to him anymore.
“Then maybe you should have figured out a way to compromise with me instead of shutting me out of my daughter’s life and moving across the country.”
“At the time, I thought I was doing the right thing.”
“You mean Ashley thought you were doing the right thing,” I corrected him with my eyes narrowed into tiny slits. “You didn’t give a fuck about me or what I was going through.”
“That’s not true.”
“You didn’t come to the funeral, you didn’t check on me. I lost my father. Found the man dead in our home, and you, the father of my child, didn’t give me the benefit of the doubt when I needed it. So tell me why the fuck I should buy this little forgive and forget song and dance you want to do right now?”
“I know neither of us will ever forget?—”
“You’re damn right,” I quipped, arms tucked over my breasts as he skimmed me in the tights, tank top, and Crocs I so casually sported.
Sniggering, he swaggered toward me, pausing so he could peer down into my eyes before reaching over and tugging on one of my loose locs.
“Don’t be like that. I’m only here so Jury can get settled. I’ll leave, if that’s what you want. I just want to make sure she’s good.”
