Page 67 of Mafia Kings & Wedding Rings 2: The Finale
“Turning the tables! Then you come here being all nice and understanding. The hell am I supposed to do with that after all these months, Juke?” I was being serious, but he laughed at my antics as my brows formed a bridge above my annoyed eyes.
After a minute, I realized how I sounded and laughed right along with him. We both took a breath, and he picked up his glass of whiskey for a sip.
“I just want to do what’s best for Jury. Us getting along is a plus for her. I want her to know I’ll always be there for you and for her.” Juke paused and took a moment before speaking again.
I could tell something was weighing on him, and when his gaze lifted from the liquor in his glass to my eyes, something shifted.
“I have regrets . . . about the way I handled things with us. I wish I could take things back or do them again. Be there for you the way I should have been. You lost so much so fast . . . I don’t know how I thought you could just hold it all together. I can’t say I wouldn’t have spiraled if the shit had happened to me.” He sat forward and placed his glass on the table. “So this is my apology, Em. No games or gimmicks either. I wanted more than anything to be able to talk to you alone and express that. I thought you deserved it after everything. Regardless of what we go through or who we’re with, we’re linked for life through Jury. I’d rather she see the good from us than the bad.”
“Damnit, Juke.” I reached for a napkin and fought the tears stinging my eyes. “You can’t just come here and say shit like that. I was prepared to hate you for life.”
Throwing his head back, he chortled.
“That’s impossible, Emerald. You know I’m that nigga.”
“Whatever,” I grumbled, dabbing at the corners of my eyes with the napkin. “I guess there is something you should know though, since we’re being open and mending fences and shit.”
“What’s going on?” Concern flitted across his face.
“Well, it’s about me and this situation with the condo and everything. It kind of comes with my money opportunity. I guess that’s what I would call it. It’s not really a job. Not a traditional one anyway.”
“Em, you talking in circles.” Juke held up a hand. “Just hit me with the facts.”
“I have been chosen as a candidate to be a surrogate for a couple,” I blurted out.
He stroked his mustache, occasionally glancing at me while tipping his head from one side to the other. I could see himprocessing the shit before clasping his hands together in front of him.
“Are you already pregnant?”
“No. Implantation is tomorrow. I’ve already signed the contract, and I’ve been on the hormones for the allotted time. Tomorrow is the big day, and then if I get pregnant, I’ll of course do everything to carry to term, and this couple will become parents while I collect a check.”
“I don’t know what to say.”
“You could tell me I’m crazy . . . again,” I responded with weariness. “I know how it sounds.”
“It is crazy, but it doesn’t surprise me. You’re selfless like that, Em. A lot of people can’t see past how fine you are to even peep that about you,” Juke broke down, shocking the hell out of me.
“You just trying to get some ass?” I teased, narrowing both eyes and watching him buckle with laughter.
“Nah, for real. It’s one of your best . . . most hidden qualities.”
“Now I know you on some bullshit because you’ve given me way too many compliments. Call Ashley and talk to your girl. I’m going to use the bathroom and get these two so we can check out.” Shaking my head, I winked at Juke while bringing myself to my feet.
He picked up his phone and did what I told him as I made my way to the ladies’ room about ten steps past him and our table. I used the bathroom, washed my hands, and within five minutes was headed back to our section. While approaching our table, Sapphire, Jury, and Juke were heading my way, ready to go. Something in the air shifted, and a faint but very familiar fragrance snatched my attention. When I turned, I bumped right into a colorfully tattooed chest with a large gold M medallion hanging off a chain. Ivo.
My gaze shifted from his chest and up into his somber, rich bronze eyes, now burning a hole through me.
“What are you doing here?” I questioned, but before he could answer, my daughter’s angelic little voice stole my attention.
“Mommy, Mommy. I got you the strawberry swirl cheesecake!” Jury jumped up and down with a little to go box in her hand.
“Thank you, baby girl. You know I love my cheesecake.”
“Yup! We can eat our dessert tonight while we watchInside Out! One and two!” Jury suggested.
“That sounds like a plan!” I grinned and draped an arm over her shoulder.
She finally noticed the handsome, very intense stranger in front of us and craned her neck to scope Ivo.
