Page 14 of Mafia Kings & Wedding Rings 2: The Finale
“Well, it’s obvious the two of you aren’t going anywhere. Let me go get some more pillows and covers.” Plum gradually pulled herself to her feet and went to the hall closet, where I knew she kept the extra sleeping stuff.
“Thanks, Plum,” I mumbled, climbing onto the couch.
“Girl, you know I always got your back. It’s OK to let other people in though. Don’t use this as an excuse to push him away when that’s not what you want or need.” She went to grab the pillows and blankets and brought them back to us. “I love you.”
“Love you too,” I yawned.
Although I’d just left the apartment I shared with my best friend for the last four years, using my key and letting myself into Staten’s house is where it felt like home. The warm fragrance of my dinner from last night still lingered in the air when I quietly closed the door behind me. It was Saturday and just a little past eight a.m. My first week here, I observed that his kids liked to sleep in. I was glad for it because I usually got up early, so it gave me time to prepare for the day while they recharged.
Sighing, I paused in the entryway to the living room and looked around. The plan was to come in, grab my shit, and bounce. Somehow, I quickly got caught up reminiscing about the little time I’d already spent here. I didn’t grow up with a lot of family. Shit was kind of lonely aside from Plum. Staten and these kids had filled this gap I didn’t know even existed.
When I was with Sayer, because he was in the streets so much, it left me with a lot of time on my hands. It’s why I started working so much and went back to school to advance my education. Keeping myself busy left me with little room to dwell on the lack of connections I had left in this world. I thought making a difference in these kids’ lives would somehow leave my mark, so I threw myself into that. Being with Staten and the kids had given me a completely different perspective.
“I was wondering when you were going to get back.” Nadia’s soft, sultry tone indicated that she was expecting someone, but not me.
Pivoting to face her, she was in mid-yawn in a very revealing, black, silk nightie and matching robe. There was a light beat applied to her face, and she’d pulled her hair into a messy bun on top of her head. When her wide-set eyes landed on me, her entire demeanor changed. That stank face immediately took over like I was the one invading her space.
“Were you expecting someone else?” I cocked a brow and canvassed her slowly.
Plum had given me a pair of shoes and a hoodie, but I still rocked my pajama bottoms when Sol dropped me off. I just wanted to get all my shit and avoid all this. Nadia reached for her robe to conceal herself before tying it with attitude.
“What are you doing here?”
“I live here,” I answered, facing her.
“A temporary fixture,” she rebutted. “As you can see, I am perfectly capable of taking care of things around here.” She popped her neck.
“So it seems. I just came to get my things.” I stepped past her so that I could go to my room.
Nadia wasn’t worth my time. She only got grace as Saga and Tavi’s mother. My issue wasn’t even with her regardless of her stance with me. For the next twenty minutes, I tried to pack as quickly as possible but got a text from Plum during the whole thing. Sighing, I dropped to the side of the bed with my phone in hand.
Bestie: You good?
Me: Trying to be.
Bestie: Did you see him?
Me: He’s not here. I’m almost done.
Bestie: Are u sure about this?
I’d been asking myself that this entire time. A couple of weeks ago, I packed everything I needed and moved in here. Doing the opposite had my stomach tight and my palms sweaty. Deciding this was for the best all around, I shoved the last of my belongings into one of my bags and zipped it shut. With the keys to the BMW in my hand along with the house keys, I left them on the bedside table. Gripping one luggage bag in my hand with the other slung over my shoulder, I moved toward the door. It was already cracked, but when it slowly pushed open and I found Piaget standing there wrapped up in her security blanket, I paused.
“Are you leaving?” she asked, just as Rogue slid up beside her.
This was what I was trying to avoid. These kids had stamped a place in my heart I wasn’t ready for. Even Tavi, as mean and closed off as she was. Little did she know, in my line of profession, I only understood her more as she grew more defiantand combative. In her eyes, I was a threat to everything she wanted, even if it wasn’t possible.
“You two are usually dead to the world around this time. What are you doing up?”
“We were sleeping in Daddy’s room, and he didn’t come home,” Piaget revealed.
That was alarming. Sol said that Staten and his brothers were out trying to bring Six home and that it was more than likely dangerous. She hadn’t said anything when she dropped me off, so I didn’t know what to think. The fact that he hadn’t been home worried me.
“I’m sure he’s fine.” I left my rolling luggage bag beside the bed and dropped my duffel on the mattress. “I know he had some business to handle. Are you hungry? Maybe I can make you something before I leave.”
“We don’t want you to leave, Cambrie. Is it because of us?” Piaget’s little wide, brown eyes searched mine for answers.
It broke my heart. Our relationship wasn’t perfect, and it seemed we were constantly going toe-to-toe over her art and overall view of the world, but this little girl had so much sauce it was ridiculous. I knew wholeheartedly that she would change the world. She had so much fire and wit that sometimes I found myself in awe of how naturally certain things came to her.
