Page 92 of Dylan
Logan and LaSalle have covered everyone’s asses, especially their own. As everything in that room unfolded, I couldn’t help but think of Grandda Ian. My ma’s da was a master chess player. I used to watch him move us kids around to get what he wanted and make us think it was our idea.
Logan spent the most time with grandda and right now, it shows. This shit is fucking genius. The craziest part is, I don’t think the others knew the power they were relinquishing when entering the business contracts with Logan and LaSalle.
“Aye, there he is,” Logan says to Laki as I walk out of the house and find them and LaSalle in the courtyard.
“You were looking for me?” I ask.
“We were talking about you and the company you keep,” Laki replies.
I lift a brow. Logan smiles and pats me on the cheek. My gaze bounces between him, LaSalle, and Laki.
“We need to talk. Yer probably the first one I plan to forgive. I may have been hiding something from ya too. We’ll call it even, we will.”
Ciara
With Dylanaway and Ciarán on an overnight trip with his school, Vega and Daliah asked me to come out with them to one of Vega’s establishments. I had no idea they planned to take me to a strip joint.
It’s not even a male strip joint and we’re all straight as far as I know. Vega said the chef here is the best in the city. Better to look at some titties and ass than eat ass food—her words, not mine.
I have to say, I’ve been having fun while here. What I wasn’t expecting was the pretty friend of Vega’s who showed up not that long ago. She’s fun, but she has that vibe I always get from Vega.
It’s something in their eyes that they try to hide, but it’s there if you look long enough. In fact, she’s the first person I’ve seen Vega show respect to as if she’s not a badass boss in her own right.
If I didn’t know any better, I would think Vega was her subordinate. For the last hour, I’ve watched and listened. Most of what they’ve said sounds like it’s in code.
“I’m surprised you came in person,” Vega says to her friend.
“Until Lyric gets back, the top levels deal with me. Besides, from something revealed to me recently, you and I should remain close.”
I take that as my cue to head to the bathroom. I don’t need or want to know what they’re talking about. “Money, Cash, Hoes,” featuring DMX, starts to play as the girls dance on the main stage.
As X growls, my mind goes to Dylan. My nipples tighten and I realize how much I miss him. I love it when he gets into sex and growls into my ear like that.
What I would give to be in his arms and hear that sound right now. He was sad to leave me behind but happy his brother would finally be released from jail.
I bob my head as I check my phone to see if he’s sent me any messages. Disappointment hits and I continue to the bathroom to finish my business. The song has changed to “Balance” by Too Short when I exit the bathroom and head for our table.
Vega and her friend are in deep conversation as I make my way back. Daliah is still making it rain by the stage. I laugh and shake my head.
However, I slow down and narrow my eyes as one guy catches my attention. He’s staring in Vega and her friend’s direction. My hackles go up as he starts to move toward them.
A flash of metal catches my eye, and I pick my pace back up. That’s when he pulls the gun and goes to aim it. Lightning fast, I grab his arm with the gun and twist it behind his back.
I then punch him in the back, caving his whole shit in. Then I slam him down against the table in front of Vega and her friend. The guards who arrived with her friend now pull their guns, place them to the guy’s head, taking over.
I look up with my chest heaving and lock eyes with the woman. That aura I’ve been talking about is at full force as she looks back at me.
“What’s your name again?” she says.
“Ciara.”
“We call her Ariel around here. She’s kind of like you.”
“Oh yeah, how so?”
“She needs to keep her identity close to the chest,” Vega says.
Looking right into my eyes, she says. “Ciara, I’m Danika. You ever need anything, you give me a call. I’ll make it happen.”
