Page 68 of Mafia Kings & Wedding Rings 2: The Finale
“Who are you?”
“Jury, this is Ivo. He’s an old friend of mine. We just ran into each other when I came from the bathroom.” I studied his stoic expression before his eyes rolled down to Jury, peering up at him curiously.
Something softened in his gaze, and I swear a small smile teased his mouth too, but he was trying to hide it as Staten and Brick appeared behind him.
“Nice to meet you, Jury.” Ivo held out a hand, and she took it and gave him a little shake. “Your mama been talking you up. She was very excited about your visit. I hope you’re enjoying your room at her house.”
“I love it!” Jury rocked on her heels. “Everything is purple and sparkly like I like it.”
“That’s what’s up.” Ivo looked at me, still half smiling.
I wasn’t sure how he would interact with Jury, but it seemed so natural. She wasn’t afraid of him, and he instantly knew how to talk to her.
“This is Juke, Jury’s daddy. You and Sap already know each other.”
Ivo extended a hand to Juke, and the two of them shook and nodded, but studied each other in a way that was very man-coded. It was as if they already knew what it was and were trying to establish some kind of mutual respect. I damn sure didn’t need any more drama.I wasn’t sure how Juke would even know, aside from the way Ivo’s eyes soaked me in. He did that shit like I was the only woman in the room.
“Nice to meet you. I’ll let y’all get back to what you doing.”
“I’m actually about to head out to the airport,” Juke spoke up, which caused my neck to rear. “My bags are still in the car and I ain’t checked into a hotel or nothing.”
“I thought you were going to stick around and keep tabs on me.”
“Nah. You got it. I don’t want no smoke, Em. You’re her mother. You deserve this time together. All I ask is that you call me if you need anything or she needs anything.”
“So Ashley is waiting on you then?” I mocked.
“Here you go.” Juke rolled his eyes and stepped forward. “Jury, be good for your mama, OK. I’ll see you in three weeks.” He kissed her all over her face before delivering a final endearing peck to her forehead.
When he approached me, he gave me a quick embrace and kissed my cheek.
“Take care of our girl.”
“You know I will. But what you mean three weeks?” I whispered.
“Just . . .accept the gesture, Em. After this visit, I’ll get with my lawyer so we can petition the judge for joint custody. Sapphire, see you around, stay on your game!” Juke chucked the deuces and moved past us while slipping his phone into his jeans pocket.
“Yo, that nigga on a pussy mission!” Brick hollered boisterously.
“Em, here’s your jacket and purse.” My brother approached with my things.
“Well, shit, Juke drove us here.” I dug my cell out of my purse. “I guess we’ll catch an Uber home.”
“No, you won’t.” Staten cleared his throat and placed his hands on his brother’s shoulders. “This nigga will take you.”
“I’m not trying to put nobody out?—”
“Emerald, mama, please save that shit for somebody else,” Brick mocked. “We out, bro. Hit us up if you need us.” He dapped Ivo up along with Staten, and the two of them headed to the door.
“My car is parked in the lot. Come on.” Ivo bobbed his head toward the entrance, and I grabbed my daughter’s hand and trailed him along with my brother.
“This a nice car!” Jury bounced along beside me when we stopped at Ivo’s Range Rover.
He hit the button on his fob, and the lights flickered while the doors unlocked. Ivo went to the back door for Jury first, opening it for her and helping her inside while Sapphire walked around to the other door to join her in the back. He got her buckled in safely, and she whispered thank you cutely to him as he closed the door and reached for the handle to mine.
“Thank you.” I bowed my head and got into the passenger seat. Usually, he was bumping some trap music, so when Ella Mai started to croon through the speakers, I simpered and glanced at him as he settled in the driver’s seat.
“On a slow jam kick?” I teased.
