Page 116 of The Mob: Shio Cuppacio
I waited because I wasn't going to coach her through what she was trying to say. Solana's English was better than Ezio's, and his ass was born here. Sure, she sometimes mixed up words, but her comprehension of the English vocabulary was solid.
She huffed, frustrated just as I was. I wanted to fuck this girl so bad. "Earlier... you said to have fun. And I did, Shio. The American women in yourfamilia(family) are amazing. But Iwant fun with you. I want to eat. I want to shop. I want to visit America with you."
I stared at the dark-skinned Mexican beauty, wanting to give her exactly what she was describing, but I had to figure the rest of this shit out first.
I may not have been willing to hand Solana over to her fake-ass fiancé tonight, but I wasn't sure how I would handle her father. I wanted Solana, but she was not mine, nor was she available for the taking. I was trying my hardest not to be ignorant like my cousins. All three of them niggas had a wild-ass story about how they'd secure their fiancés and wife.
Running my hand down my face, I licked my lips before throwing my legs over the side of the bed. "Solana... I meant everything I said tonight. But I'd be lying to you if I promised you any of what you just said. What you're describing is me courting you, baby... and ion think that's possible just yet." Giving it a moment for my words to sink in, I stood and walked over to her.
She'd stopped right at the entrance to my bedroom, and I appreciated the respect she'd shown. Had she come straight in, she'd have been in my bed by now with the pink silk pajama shirt and shorts on the floor. Standing face to face now, I could smell her scent mixed with the body wash and essential oils kept in the guest rooms. The shit had always smelled amazing on Solana, but tonight she smelled as if she wanted to be eaten. Closing my eyes for a second, I calmed my inner self. I had to fight my wants if I had any chance of straightening this shit out before it got even messier.
"Let's put this shit on ice for now. And I know I'm sending you mixed messages since I practically swallowed your face earlier, but I have to be a man of my word, baby. My word was that I wouldn’t touch you, so I’ll be keeping my hands to myself from now on. Do you understand?"
Her eyes said what her mouth hadn't. Solana wanted me, and I'd basically just rejected her. "I understand, Shio."
Before I could elaborate, she turned and walked away, taking her natural aroma and pretty face with her. I stood and watched her ass jiggle softly in the shorts. Kicking myself, I walked back to my bed and sat down. I needed to figure out why Solana was really here. I needed to figure out what hand Don had played in her being here. I needed to figure out how much bullshit was yet to come since I'd punked the Rodríguezes tonight. I needed to figure out if it was possible for Solana and me to be together without causing an all-out war.
It was too many questions to work out after the long day I'd had, so I grabbed the remote and got back under the covers on my bed. Going to my stepfather’s channel, I scrolled down to a random sermon without even reading the title.
Pastor Washington appeared on the screen, this time in a royal blue suit, a tan shirt, and his favorite brown Gators. A new city, a new church, and a new congregation looked good on him. Much of the mob money had gone into his worship grounds, and he had voiced his gratitude any time he was in my presence.
Picking up the white towel, he dabbed his forehead.
“The word of the day is desire.” My body went stiff as he spoke to me, as if this wasn’t a pre-recording, and he had a peek into my life. “Can I get somebody to turn to Galatians 5:16-17?”
Reaching over, I grabbed my Bible from the nightstand and my reading glasses while sitting up in bed. Flipping to the instructed chapter, I read over the passage.
So I say walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.
“So, you see my brothers and my sisters”
Not wanting to hear another word, I powered off the TV, removed my glasses, and placed my Bible back in its spot. I’d gotten the message loud and clear. Solana was off-limits. I wouldn’t touch her anymore, but I meant what I said when I said that fuck nigga wouldn’t touch her anymore either.
Feeling a sudden wave of exhaustion, I gave in to it until my lids grew heavy. I had to double down on my faith and remember that Solana wasn’t here to be a nigga’s fuck toy or a nigga’s wife. I needed to disregard my wants and let God show me my needs. I just had to figure out how to do that while also fulfilling my duty to find a wife.
God first.
Make sure the family good.
Eye them Cuppacio boys, the little and the big ones.
Build a relationship with my brother.
Get my brother rich.
Health and wellness.
Stay on top of my mob shit.
Keep Hobo alive.
Get through the meeting with Ines Ledesma.
House a random.
Find the true reason Solana is here.
Figure out if Solana is supposed to be my wife.
