Page 46 of Mafia Kings & Wedding Rings 2: The Finale
Sighing, I dropped my purse on the kitchen counter and sighed before looking around. The entire day had blown me. I decided to FaceTime Cambrie as I turned to grab a bottle of water from inside the fridge. She picked up with the kids going crazy in the background but moved away from them so she could have some privacy.
“Hey. Are you OK?” she asked, concern immediately filling her face.
“I’m good.” I twisted the cap off my bottle and brought it to my mouth. “I luckily have tough skin and Rossi has never liked me, so I’m used to it.”
“I’m sorry, Em. Nobody should come for you like that. Everybody makes mistakes and goes through shit. She shouldn’t have thrown it in your face or brought it up in front of the entire table like that.”
“Public record, like she said.” I shrugged and moved through the condo so that I could go to my room.
“She said the same thing about my mama’s accident. Rossi is a cold woman. I don’t know if she’s always been that way, or if the accident caused it, but she needs some healing.”
“So when I was coming out of the bathroom, I heard Ivo arguing with Jordan.”
“Oh, girl, yes! He got the hell up out of there. He was hot! Jordan was blowing him up, but Ivo wasn’t answering. I think Staten and Brick talked to him, but I doubt he’s going home tonight. Have you heard from him?”
“Today was my first time seeing him in days. He hasn’t called me, and when I call him, he lets me go to voicemail. Yet they still want to go through with this whole surrogacy thing. Honestly, it makes no sense. I need the money though, and I already signed this contract. I just wish he would pick up the phone and talk to me.”
“What about Blaine? What’s going on there?” Cambrie pried.
“Girl, that’s a dead end. I told him we should just stick to being friends. It’s too much on my plate as it is.”
“I damn sure can understand that. How did he take it?”
“He was cool. I was more concerned about him icing Sapphire out after everything, but he’s been consistent with my brother and coaching him, so I’m grateful.”
“Well, that’s good. Definitely don’t need any extra drama.”
“Not at all,” I drawled, starting up the steps.
“Who dat?” I heard Staten ask in the background.
“Emerald,” Cambrie told him.
“Hold ya head, Em. Fuck Rossi!” Staten yelled from behind her, making me laugh.
“Tell him that is his mama.”
“Girl, he don’t give a fuck. He got his own issues with her,” Cambrie replied. “I’m glad you called though. We just made it to the house. We on the way to my dad’s facility. We’re going to spend a little time with him then head back to the house.”
“Thanks for checking on me, Cam. I’ll be fine. Let’s link up for lunch this week or something.”
“Yeah, for sure. I’ll talk to you later.”
“Later.” I entered my bedroom and hung up.
I dropped my phone on the dresser and marched over to the bathroom door. A hot bubble bath with a few salts and some lit candles was so appealing that I found myself in the bathroom doing just that. I damn sure needed the relaxation even though Ivo was running amok in my head. Going against my pride, I went to retrieve my phone.
When I got to my call list, my finger lingered over his name, and I debated on whether I should hit him up. I didn’t want to be rejected again, but I couldn’t stand him thinking I didn’t give a damn. He had me genuinely concerned about him and his headspace. The phone rang twice, and surprisingly, he picked up. There was a pause before he spoke though.
“What’s up?”
“Are you good?”
“Straight.” I could hear him inhaling, so I knew he was probably sitting somewhere alone, blowing a fat one.
“Ivo, we need to talk.”
“Ain’t shit to talk about,” he quipped. “It is what it is, Em. I can’t live my life for you or Jordan anymore.”
