Page 3 of Merc

“Merc…” My head shook as I took a swig of my beer. “You haven’t really even given him a chance.”

“I don’t have to. He was flawed and I saw that shit in him the moment we met. The fact that he doesn’t take care of you takes away even less of my respect. He hasn’t proved that he’s worthy of you and can take care of you, and you think I’m about to give him your hand?”

“You are not my damn daddy!”

“But I’m your baby’s daddy, so that’s close enough.”

She huffed and pushed her hair off her shoulder. Sitting next to me, Aries took my hand into hers. I heard the shaky breath she released, but that shit didn’t sway me. There wasn’t anything she could say to change my view of him. Only his actions could.

“Merc, please. I love you, and I value your opinion. I respect what we’ve built. But if I have to choose between your approval and finally getting a man who can love and take care of me… you’re going to lose.”

“You that hungry for love that you willing to settle for crumbs of it?”

Our gaze stayed locked as her nostrils flared. Standing, she charged out of the room, muttering, “You’re not going to ruin this for me,” under her breath.

After she slammed the door, I chuckled with a shake of my head. Even if she didn’t agree with me right now, there was no doubt in my mind that Aries would eventually come to her senses and give that nigga his ring back. He wasn’t worth her, and I’d be damned if I let him influence my son. On the off chance she did marry him, I could only hope he was ready for war, because I was going to make his life hell by showing just how ill-equipped he was to have access to anything that belonged to me—and that included the mother of my first child.

Chapter

Two

Neo

On the other side of town…

Like I always did, I had a low playlist going while I did my makeup live. For tonight, I chose to get ready on TikTok because they hardly ever hassled me about the music that played in the background. Music was such a huge part of my life that I almost always had it playing, and when it wasn’t playing, I was singing or humming a tune in my head and heart.

I didn’t really talk much while I was live, so I didn’t care to keep up with comments. If someone complimented me, I thanked them or offered names of products I was using for women who asked, but that was about it. I wasn’t an influencer or anything; I just liked sharing one of my favorite moments with the world.

The alarm announced the opening of the garage door, letting me know Steven was home. A smile instantly spread my lips. I had no idea what he had planned for us for this evening, but I was excited for it. Since he put together our plans for the evening, I’d hired a chauffeur. I didn’t subscribe to the notion that men didn’t deserve effort and romance, so even though he wanted to treat me tonight, I wanted to make the evening about him too. Before he entered our bedroom, I quickly stood and stuffed his gifts in the gift bag on the bench in front of the bed.

He was stepping inside as I made my way back to my vanity.

“Hey,” he spoke softly, walking over to me.

“Hey, honey. How was work?” Steven gave me a tender kiss, lowering his hand between my legs. Pushing him away gently with a giggle, I pointed to the phone. “I’m live, Steven.”

“Then get off.”

“I’m almost done,” I mumbled as he kissed my neck.

“Listen… we’re gonna have to reschedule our plans for the evening.”

My smile dropped, and I gently pushed him away from me.

“What do you mean?”

Steven squeezed the back of his neck as he sat on the bench in front of our bed.

“Asia wants to do something with China tonight, and you know I can’t say no to my baby girl.”

Sighing, I grabbed my phone to disconnect the live. I could tell this conversation was about to get a little heated, and I didn’t want hundreds of people that I didn’t even know, with a few of my friends and family members sprinkled in, knowing my business.

“You’re not saying no to your daughter; you’re saying no to her mother.”

“It’s the same thing.”

Chuckling, I shook my head as I set the phone on the vanity. “No, it’s not. I hate to sound crass, but Valentine’s Day is a day for lovers. I’m more than okay with you doing something with your daughter before we go out, but I’m not really comfortable with you not doing what you planned for us to spend time with them as a family.”

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