Page 59 of I Need It

“God. How old is he?”

“Seventeen or eighteen. Something like that.”

“Damn. I know Mister Mayor is probably about to lose it on somebody.”

“Yeah. When Jakari called and said that shit, my mouth hit the floor. I don’t know how that would have gone down with any of us. Somebody still would have gotten killed, because we all pack heat. I wonder if the guy was armed. If he was unarmed, this may not be good no way you look at it.”

I watched him slide his hand over his waves. He was so nervous. I had never met SS officially, but I was nervous too. I couldn’t believe this had all happened. We were about to have an amazing time at Rylan’s, and I was planning to play with the baby. I slowly shook my head as Christian’s phone rang. He answered it through his Bluetooth.

“What’s up?”

“We turning around and going to Uncle Storm’s house. They’re holding him until morning.”

“A’ight, J.”

He ended the call and said, “Well, I guess we’ll find out more in a few.”

I nodded as he made a legal U-turn on Highway 90, heading back to Nome. I watched the caravan of cars blow by us as his phone rang again. “Yeah, J?”

“Change of plans. We’re going to the family barn.”

“Okay.”

I frowned slightly. “Family barn?”

Christian smiled slightly. “It’s like an event hall, but it’s a barndominium.”

“Oh, okay. I’ve seen those. They’re nice.”

“Mm hmm. I’m sorry all this shit went down and messed up our good time. If we’re going to the barn, I’m sure the family will be cooking. I know you’re hungry.”

“You don’t have to apologize, baby. This was out of your control, and I surely don’t blame you for wanting to see about your family.”

He reached over and grabbed my hand as we rode the rest of the way in silence. When we got to the family barn, there were cars everywhere. Before Christian could get out to open my door, his older brother, Jakari, opened it. I nodded my head at him, and he did the same. “Thank you, Jakari.”

“No problem.”

He didn’t come off as the friendly type either, but I knew it was because he was in big brother protective mode. Plus, as Christian had said, Janay was his sister-in-law. I just wondered if they were being hard on her with who she dated after Christian. They’d cheated on each other. Christian really didn’t seem like the type to cheat to me. I knew the distance had played a big part, but it seemed like he would just break up with her first.

Whatever the situation, it happened before me. The man he was showing me he was today was the man I was in love with. When he told me he loved me, I could have melted to the floor. I could feel just how sincere he was. Everything he said he wanted in my hospital room was exactly what we had. I couldn’t be more grateful for the patience he claimed he lacked and his determination to make me his.

Christian met Jakari and me on my side of the vehicle, and they shook hands. They stared at one another for a second, then they hugged. I supposed they were just making up for the shit that happened nearly a month ago. If they were, both their asses were stubborn as hell. This situation with SS had probably shown them that things could happen to take them away from each other in the blink of an eye.

Christian grabbed my hand, and we all walked inside the barn to see Mister Mayor pacing back and forth and a few other people crying. Christian released my hand as his uncles did their best to calm Storm down. “I’m gonna go over there with the men.”

I nodded and looked around to see Maui lying on Ashanni’s shoulder, crying her eyes out. The twins were in a corner with Jacob and Jessica. Everyone seemed distraught, and I could imagine. I wondered if this was the first time anybody in the family had gotten into trouble. As I stood, surveying the room, trying to figure out where I would go, a hand rested on my shoulder.

I looked over to see Karima. I smiled at her and followed her to a table. She was seated with Nesha, Angel, and a couple of other ladies. When we got to the table, she said, “Mya, this is Aunt Syn. She’s Uncle Marcus’s wife. This is Tyeis. She’s Angel’s mom.”

I nodded at the ladies as they did the same with smiles on their faces. I assumed they knew who I was since she didn’t tell them during the introduction. I glanced at Syn. She was a beautiful woman. I recognized her name though. She was Christian’s aunt on his father’s side of the family and his father’s first victim.

“So what are they saying?” a lady asked that walked up.

She looked a lot like Syn… just older. “The man had a knife and had lunged at SS. That was why he shot him. Mama, I’m so nervous. I feel like I’m gonna throw up any minute.”

“Calm down, Syn. It’s not good for the baby.”

“Baby? Aunt Syn, you’re pregnant?” Karima asked.

---