Page 37 of Dylan
Dylan
“Chris has been soexcited for his birthday. I’m so glad Ariel was able to win so big,” Daliah gushes for the millionth time as she perches on the edge of her seat.
After dropping Taegan off at one of our warehouses where she left her car earlier, I’m headed to Harlem, where Ciara lives. Daliah has given me their address as she sits rambling excitedly about Ciara’s wins and all she’ll be able to do for the kid now for his birthday.
Ciara sits in the passenger seat, fast asleep. While she’s knocked out, I’ve learned money has been tight for her. She’s not working at the moment and every dime she does have goes toward her little brother Ciarán.
I admire how she takes care of the kid. My brothers and sisters would have done the same for me if something ever happened to our parents. Knowing how much she loved her da, I feel bad for her.
I want to make up for everything she’s lost as much as I can. I glance over at her as I stop at a light. She’s so beautiful. It’s like looking at a sleeping angel.
My fingers itch to trace her hairline or run over her braids. I wasn’t surprised to see her with the cornbraids when I entered the arena, but I was taken aback by how much they changed her appearance. If I didn’t know better, I wouldn’t have recognized her at first.
She’s pretty no matter what, but the braids give her face a sharper look. When she walked into my gym with her hair down, her face had a softer look. There was a sort of innocence I remember from when we were little.
After the ass whippings she handed out this evening, the fiercer look of the braids is fitting. I’m proud of her. Those matches weren’t easy, but she made them look like anyone could have won them.
She’d probably be amazing in a regulated fight. I have no doubt she’ll be replacing Cadlha on the roster. After the way we lost that tournament because of her last year, there’s no way she’s representing us this year.
It hits me that I don’t need to win the tournament anymore because I’ve found Ciara. She’s sitting right beside me. However, she needs the money.
I plan to win and hand it over to her. She can pay off her brother’s tuition and stash money for his college fund. I plan to make sure money isn’t something she ever has to worry about again.
“I love the way you look at her. She does so much for her brother, but I would love to see her do something for herself. You know what I mean?” Daliah suddenly says.
I glance up in the rearview mirror to find her watching me. I grin at her, then focus back on the road as the light changes. We’re not far from their place now.
“I think I do. This is you guys up here to the left, right?”
“Yup, that’s us.”
Lucky, I find a parking spot and pull my car in before I climb out and grab my gym bag from the trunk and then move to collect Ciara and her things. As I’m placing my bag across my body, Daliah climbs out of the back seat. I move to open Ciara’s door and Daliah reaches in to take the gym bag from between Ciara’s legs.
I grab the duffel full of money then lift Ciara into my arms. She’s so small in my embrace, but she proved how mighty she is in that ring tonight. My body hardens as her soft one melts into mine.
I try to think of anything but her as we make our way into the building and climb onto the elevator. Lifting my gaze to the ceiling, I begin to count to a hundred. As we ride up, I realize I’m the happiest I’ve been in years.
Daliah starts to snicker in the other corner of the car. Looking at her, I then lift a brow and give her a questioning look. She smiles back at me.
“We could throw a party once we get to the apartment and she’d probably sleep right through it. She hasn’t even so much as stirred,” she laughs out.
I shrug my shoulders. “I’ve waited this long. I’ll be here when she wakes.”
“I’m dying to know what’s going on between you two. Ugh, the suspense is killing me.”
I chuckle. “You’ll have to wait for her to tell you.”
Daliah pouts as the elevator dings and the doors open. She steps out and turns left. I follow her up the hall as she takes her keys out and opens a door in the middle of the hall on the right-hand side.
I take note of the door number as she pushes in and holds the door open for me to follow. Looking around, I take in the apartment and nod. The place is nice.
“You’re the babysitter,” I say to Ross as he stands from the couch and stretches.
“Vega,” we both scoff at the same time.
I give him a nod, letting him know I’ve got it from here. Ross shrugs and begins to collect his things to leave. He looks at a sleeping Ciara in my arms and gives me a questioning look.
“Did she win?”
