Page 31 of Mafia Kings & Wedding Rings 2: The Finale
“It ain’t nobody’s fault. It just is what it is. I love my daughter, but she has to know she can’t get her way all the time. Nadia got her all delusional about us, and she needed to hear the truth.” I pulled her across my lap and held her there. “I stand on every word I said.”
“I just don’t want to be the reason there’s tension between you and them. You and Nadia share custody. What if she tries to pull some shit with that and keep you from Tavi and Saga?”
“She knows better,” I replied. “You don’t need to worry about that. I’ll still sign your paychecks and make sure your benefits are good around here, but I don’t consider you my employee, Cam. You my woman, and I ain’t lying or hiding that from anybody, least of all my kids. I just need you to hold us down like you been doing. I’ll take care of the rest.”
“I’m not good with being dependent on anybody.”
“First time for everything, mama. Let me lead. I got you,” I assured her, cupping her cheek and drawing her closer for a kiss.
Her warm, supple lips against mine had my dick bricking once again. She fell into it, arms locking around my neck as we rolled onto the bed together.
“Just don’t drop me.”
“Nah.” I shook my head. “That ain’t what I’m here for. I’m carrying you and all your burdens, you just gotta let me.”
“I don’t need to be some kept woman either. I want to be the one you can come home to and talk to about anything. Good orbad. A listening ear, a safe place, your partner in every way. You don’t have to hide or lie to me about anything. I know being a man of your caliber comes with a lot, but you don’t have to shield me from that, Staten.”
She had no idea how good it was to hear that shit. I didn’t plan on making her an accessory to anything, but it was nice to know when shit got real, she would be ready to ride it out with me.
“I’ll keep that in mind. My job is to make shit light for you though, mama,” I said with a smile. “How about me, you, Piaget, and Rogue go out for dinner later?”
“I’m good with that. I kind of told my daddy I’d bring him some roasted chicken and potato salad for dinner Sunday too. So I need to marinate that before we go. He’s doing so good, and I haven’t had a chance to see him lately. What do you think?”
“I think that sounds cool. How about we take the kids with us, and we all visit him?”
“You sure about that?” Cambrie slightly pulled back to stare into my eyes.
“Yeah. I like your pops, and I know you want to take advantage of this time with him.”
“I do.”
“Then that’s what it is.” I gripped her thigh and pecked her lips once again.
“You should try to get some rest. I know it’s been a long night. I’ll keep Piaget and Rogue occupied for a while.” She stroked the back of my neck, and her almond-shaped nails dug into my skin.
“You had a long night too. Why don’t you take a nap with me?” I suggested.
“You want to leave those two unattended?”
“Where the melatonin?” I questioned.
“That shit don’t work on Rogue. Trust me,” Cambrie quipped.
“You been doping my boy up?”
“I gave him a single dose one day because I had a ton of laundry to do and he was on some bullshit. Whatever is in that shit activates his powers or something. I had his ass folding laundry until he passed the hell out.”
“Yo, you ain’t shit.” I threw my head back and chortled at the image, remembering the day I came home and his ass was passed out on the couch with a basket of his fresh clothes beside him.
“I like seeing you smile.” She tugged at my beard and dipped her face closer to mine to fuse our mouths together. “I’ll make you something to eat.”
After changing, I decided to try to talk Cambrie into a nap with me again while Piaget and Rogue watched a movie. When I reached the bottom of the staircase, I found Nadia with Tavi and Saga as they were preparing to leave. Nadia barely looked at me as she handed Tavi her jean jacket. Saga leaned against the wall beside the front door, staring off like he wanted to be anywhere but here, with his hands in his pockets.
“We’re going shopping, then for lunch, and probably a movie,” Nadia informed me as she grabbed her purse off a nearby table.
“Okay. I’ll probably take Piaget and Rogue out for dinner, so if we’re not here?—”
“I’m sure we’ll manage. Since summer is almost here, I figured I would just work remotely and take the kids back with me to Jersey when they get out of school.”
