Page 27 of Choosing the Chief

I squat down in front of her. “That’s why I woke you. I am going straight to the village to spend the day with my grandfather. Senya can escort you back home. I promise I will be home for dinner tonight. Have Delali make your favorite peanut butter chicken.”

Her eyes perk up. “Yes, that does sound good! I wish Ella and Kofi lived closer to Accra. I would invite them over for dinner. Kumasi is a 90-minute drive, though.”

“Yes. We’ll invite them over for dinner this weekend. We can have a game night. You love those. You’re so funny when you get competitive.”

She laughs. “You don’t think it’s funny when I kick your ass at Scrabble. Honestly Adom, have you ever beat me?”

“Never, but only because you cheat!”

“I do not cheat! I am just smarter than you.” She chuckles.

I kiss her nose and return to my seat as the pilot gives a final landing announcement.

Once we land, I spy Kofi and his royal guard waiting on the tarmac from my window. I turn to Senya, and he shrugs his shoulders. Apparently, he does not know why Kofi is here either.

Maya speaks first. “Why do you think he’s here? Ella is here also…something must have happened?”

I say nothing in response. I have a vague idea why my cousin would meet me here as I disembark. However, I’m not ready to say it out loud.

When we disembark, Kofi comes forward and grabs me in a hug. When he pulls back, he announces, “Welcome home, brother, chief of Tafo, prince to the Ashanti crown.”

Just as I thought.

“So, our grandfather has passed?”

Kofi nods solemnly. “He passed three hours ago. Of course you were in the air, and I did not want you to land and have anyone but me tell you. I know you two started to come to an understanding over this past week.”

I nod. “Yes, we did.”

Kofi looks over my shoulder and motions for Maya to come to him. As she approaches, he gestures toward his entourage. “Maya will go with Ella; she is waiting in the car. You and I will go to the village and begin preparations for a burial and celebration. We also need to address the people of Tafo and discuss your installation as chief.” He looks to Maya. “Unfortunately, your man will be busy and away from you quite a bit over the next week. Ella and I would love for you to stay with us.”

Maya looks at me and reads my eyes perfectly. “I will go with Ella tonight. I wanted to see her anyway, but I’m going home in the morning. I need to ensure the house runs smoothly while Adom is away. He will be busy as chief. We need to establish our rhythm sooner rather than later.”

Kofi looks impressed and clasps his hand over hers. “Very well, then. Adom is lucky to have you. Ella is waiting for you whenever you are ready.”

“Brother, give me a moment with Maya, I will catch up momentarily.”

He nods. “OK, but hurry. The people do not know of grandfather’s death yet. I want to ensure we are the ones to tell them, and not village gossips.”

He walks over to Senya and they begin a discussion in whispered tones. Those two have their own language. I’m sure they already planned in detail for this moment. I am just the last piece of the puzzle. When it comes to the three of us, I have always been the last to know of any plans. Usually that would annoy me, but in this moment I am content to follow. I am glad that Kofi is my king; he has earned my trust.

I turn to Maya and give her a half smile. She reaches up and rubs my face before taking me into a kiss.She beat me to the punch.

“Adom. I am sorry you do not have more time with your grandfather. But I know you’re ready for this. You were born to lead Tafo, and I will be with you for whatever comes. We’ll be fine as long as you come home to me every night. I promise to make our home a place where you can always find peace.”

I take her into a hug and lift her off her feet. I bury my face in her neck. The chief cannot shed one tear in public. But God, she really moves my soul.My dick is stirred up as well.

“I love you, Dr. Taylor. I will see you tonight. We will take dinner, in our room…naked.”

Maya releases a sigh and places her hand over her heart. “Damn, Adom, I love you too. I love you very much.”

Fuck.I don’t want to go. I quickly kiss her cheek and wink as I walk away. I know if I don’t leave with Kofi now, I never will. I just got Maya, and I already have to leave her alone.

Once Kofi, Senya, and I get inside the armored Range Rover, I watch Maya walk to Ella and the waiting vehicle. I do not turn my attention to Kofi and Senya until I can’t see her anymore. Once I turn and nod at them, the information dump begins. Oddly, Senya is not driving—instead, he is in the front passenger seat, while his second, Nana, drives all three of us. He starts by questioning Kofi.

“Who confirmed that Yao Asante has died?”

“His concubine. She and the old man did not do much but sleep in his final year. She kept his frail body warm. She was the only one he allowed in his bedchamber, and she found him this morning in her arms cold.”

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