Page 114 of The Mob: Shio Cuppacio
Shio, who was standing alone against five men, tossed his head back in laughter. I could see his muscled abdomen tighten as he chuckled. This was my third time seeing him with a gun in his hand, and even though it wasn’t pointed at me, it still made my panties damp. Felipe’s rage and the thought of the punishment I’d face someday didn’t even cross my mind.
With his free hand, Shio used his thumb to flick his nose. Holding his hand in front of the sexy smirk that graced his face, he flicked the ring on his middle finger with the same thumb.
“I tell you what…” He looked Felipe square in the eyes and lowered his gun. “If you can call her name and she comes to you, I’ll get out of your business, and she’s free to go with you,ese(man).”
My brother’s face dropped as he gave repeated Shio’s words to Felipe. Felipe nodded once and shifted his attention to me. A menacing grin covered his face and made my skin feel as if needles were pricking me all over.
“Solana, ya sabes dónde estás. ¡Vamos o si no!(Solana, you know your place. Let's go or else.)”
My spirits were out of tempo with the tense drawn face that greeted me. I’d been having the time of my life until Felipe and hisgrupo(posse) showed up. I couldn't control the spasmodictrembling within me. I’d felt like I was about to pass out until Shio’s words came.
“Solana, baby… Let’s go home.”
Not even looking at Felipe any longer, I turned on my heels and walked into Shio. Wrapping his hand around the back of my neck, but this time much more gently than the day he found me at his home, he pulled me into his chest and stared down at me. I couldn’t control my breath as we engaged in a stare-off. He was so fucking handsome, smelled so good, and made me feel so safe. Letting my neck go, he reached behind me and pulled my skirt down.
With my chest still pressed against Shio’s, he broke our gaze and shifted his attention back to Felipe. “Like I said, you ain’t got no wife up in here. I suggest y’all go back to CDMX because being out here not gon’ do nuttin’ but speed up ya death date.”
My brother didn’t translate, the men understanding the threat within the foreign language. I heard them retreating until Shio’s body relaxed, indicating they had exited. He grabbed my neck again, but this time more of my collar. His eyes searched mine until he lifted my chin and tilted my head back.
“You good?”
I nodded, still too rattled to speak.
“Not my nigga goin’ toe to toe with Joker, Lil’ Joker, and Baby Joker. Mexi-Mami, what type of shit you got goin’ on?” Renello was chewing on a piece of chicken from the platter Jisei had ordered, while the rest of the men stood behind their women. Even their Don was here, holding onto Dasani as if someone was going to steal her. Metavello was also present, even though Discover was at home with their newborn children.
“You good, Shio? Them niggas gon’ be a problem?” Essex asked as he wrapped his arms around Missy’s waist, who was slowly moving her hips against him as if music was playing.
“Yeah, are they gone be a problem?” their Don probed. He was the only one in a three-piece suit while the rest of the men were in casual clothes.
Shio grabbed my hand. “Ion know. You tell me, Don.”
Their Don chuckled. “Yeah, nigga… Aite.”
“Aye, we know you just had a baby, so when are you cutting them fuck-ass hospital bands off? Ma told you that shit country as fuck!” Renello scolded his brother, while Shio escorted me out of the club.
His gun was still at his side as I carefully held my balance in my high heels. My legs were starting to feel wobbly as the adrenaline fought like hell to lower itself within me. Even as we made it outside, the cool night air wasn’t enough to calm me. I’d disrespected the man I was to spend the rest of my life with for one I knew I had no chance with. Shio and I were from two different worlds, and I knew as much as my father loved me, he would kill me before he allowed me to go against his word. Our family had been minimized because of my papa getting rid of those who defied his word or didn’t agree with his plans. I knew the consequences of my actions, yet I felt no ounce of regret. If I could do it all over again, I’d go to Shio whenever he called my name. I’d never felt more protected, more seen, and more respected than I had when I was around this American boy and his American people.
Shio’s Maybach was parked on the curve in front of the club. Behind him was a mini line of exotic cars. He held me inside his right arm and took his time getting to the passenger seat. I wanted to crawl into this skin with how comforted I felt in the moment. When we got to the car, he helped me inside before circling the car and dropping inside. He placed his gun on the back seat and slouched in the driver’s seat. I expected him to drive off with rubber burning, but he sat there, calm, cool, andcollected like he hadn’t just opened a can of snakes. Or fucking worms with the way he’d handled them.
“Shio, are you going to drive?”
“Nah, not yet. I’m waiting on my people.”
I began to shift in my seat, looking around to see if I could spot Felipe.
“Solana, baby…” His words were like silk against skin after a long, hot shower. “They not gone fuck with you. You hear me?”
Looking into his eyes, I nodded.
Reaching over, he grabbed my neck and pulled me across the console into his face. I gasped as I dangled across the car like a rag doll. I’d never been more turned on before in my existence except earlier today in his lap.
“He’s not going to fuck with you. Not now. Not ever. Do you believe that I got you?”
Tucking my bottom lip in my mouth, I nodded.
Shio’s eyes roamed my face and stopped at my lips. Using his thumb, he pressed down on my chin until my bottom lip was free. “Lesson number six… Real niggas do real shit. I got you, Solana. No matter where the fuck you are in the world, just know… I got you. This is the last time that nigga will ever put his fuckin’ hands on you. Had I been one minute earlier, that shit wouldn’t have happened, but I got there as quick as I could after Scarlett called.”
He caressed my face with his thumb, making my body shudder. “I’m a disciplined man. But you’re the candy store, and I’m the fucking kid, Solana.”
