Page 86 of His to Have
I smiled, breathless and satisfied. “Thank you.”
He didn’t respond, only kissed me again.
twenty-three
Ayanna
Ikissed my mama goodbye on the front porch, promising her I’d be back in a few days now that I wasn’t being held hostage.
Well… hostage was a bit of an exaggeration. I wasn’t tucked away in our home anymore staring at the four walls. So, I called that a win.
Today I was out handling business with my security, Sham and Arlo. Visiting my parents and checking on my father’s progress was just one of the many things I had planned today. Not to mention stopping by my former assistant’s home, and maybe even grab a drink with my girl Tasha later in the day. That is, if time permitted.
“Bye, baby. I’ll call you if anything changes.” My mother squeezed my hand, reminding me of the reason for my visit.
She had been feeling discouraged.
While she tried to put on a brave face, most days I wasn’t sure if she was trying to reassure me, or herself. The constant worry had been in her eyes since the day the doctor told us it would bea long road for my father. The silent cries hadn’t been so silent. And the courage hadn’t been so unwavering. Honestly, I had been preparing myself for the unthinkable but had been trying to keep a positive outlook for the sake of my Mama. Because Antoinette Reed was our rock and if she was shook, then our whole family would crumble.
“Okay, Mama,” I smiled softly, trying to portray a strength I didn’t quite feel, looking past her to the front window, where my father used to peer out just to make sure his goons watched over his favorite daughter.
“And tell my son-in-law I said thank you... again. For the flowers in the garden.” This time she patted my hand. “That husband of yours is something else. Never forgets a thing. And always finds a way to make even the smallest gestures feel huge. Tell him it’s keeping me busy and my mind occupied. I appreciate it.”
I blinked, surprised. “He didn’t say anything to me about that.”
She smiled faintly, folding her arms over her waist. “Doesn’t surprise me. He’s just like your father. He saw an issue and he just handled it.”
It wasn’t a secret that my mother enjoyed gardening. It’s why her lawn was always immaculate. She’d been that way for as long as I can remember. And now, he was making sure she had something to focus on while we basically waited for my father to either improve or sadly pass away. It was comforting to know that Teo was so attentive to her needs, even when I wasn’t around.
“Anyhow, they just showed up last week... hydrangeas, lilies, and peonies. You know how much I love those blooms? Tell him I appreciate it.”
“I’ll tell him, Mama.” I told her, walking down the steps and to the waiting car where Sham and Arlo stood speaking to the men that guarded my childhood home.
This was one of the biggest adjustments since being a teenager — having grown men follow me around like I was some kind of high-profile figure. I hadn’t had this level of security since I was eighteen, back when my father was still grooming my brother, and I was able to dream about living a quiet life. A life that I managed to carve out but never seemed quite complete. Back then I could pretend this lifestyle didn’t touch me, but not so much these days.
Taking a deep breath, I slid into the car, preparing for my next destination.
Sham was quiet, easing himself into the passenger side of the Escalade. And Arlo, my newest addition to my security team, took his position in the driver seat. Both of them were scary, but in different ways. Where Sham was a massive man cloaked in a suit and tie, he was intimidating in a formal, almost silent way. Arlo, on the other hand, had a more casual demeanor. Just looking at him you’d automatically place him in a category that didn’t scream killer. But that smooth baby face will fool you. He was formidable as they come.
“Arlo, could you take me to Constance’s place next?” I asked, leaning back into the seat and crossing one leg over the other.
He glanced at me through the rearview mirror. “Address?”
It was clipped but not rude. I’d learned over the past few weeks that Arlo didn’t do small talk. Which was fine with me. I suppose years in this life had hardened him in ways I’d likely never fully understand.
“I got it,” I murmured, already reaching for my phone to pull up the text Constance had sent me last week.
Sham’s attention was on me. Likely waiting to see what side of town I wanted to visit, so he could assess. And determine if thatarea was a threat. I already knew once I told him, he was going to advise against it. But that didn’t matter because I wasn’t asking for permission. I needed to see her before I left town again. Calling and texting wasn’t doing anything for my guilt. I owed her an apology. In person.
My employees were never supposed to get caught up in anything outside of bridal gowns, engagement rings, and brides saying, ‘I do.’ The least I could do was show my face, look her in the eye, and offer a sincere apology.
Just as the address pulled up on my screen, a different name lit up across the top. The notification lit up my phone and damn near covered the text I was looking for.
karleystillthatgirladded to her story... view now
I didn’t click it right away.
My thumb hovered over the notification, completely making me forget about my actual task. Visiting Constance was a goal of mine, but this Karley chick had been on my radar since my cousin told me she’d been boosting my stolen goods across the city like she didn’t know whose last name I held. Before I was a Donatelli, I was a Reed. People around these parts knew not to fuck with my family. Even if I hadn’t been in the game, enough people knew to steer clear of my boutique. It had been that way since I opened it.
