Page 20 of The Deed to a Gangsta's Heart

I wanted to have her again… and again.

And again.

We kicked it for a little while longer before Remedy left. To free up the table, I moved to the bar. I wasn’t quite ready to return to the solitude of my home. When I felt a woman brush against my side, I didn’t bother to look at her. It wasn’t until I heard a gasp that I looked in that direction, and my eyes widened at the sight of Luci.

Before I could stop myself, I pulled her between my legs and kissed her. She moaned against my lips as she wrapped her arms around me.

“Did you miss me?” she asked with a smile as she wiped her lipstick off my lips.

“I did actually. I was a couple of days away from calling Speedi Shipping to find you.”

She laughed even though I was serious. “That won’t be necessary if you ask for my number this time.”

“Trust me, I wasn’t going to let you go until you gave it to me.” Her smile lingered as she remained silent, allowing me to add, “Who are you here with?”

“A few coworkers. Why?”

“I want you.”

“I had plans actually,” she confessed. “A date.”

“Cancel it. Or do you need me to do it for you?”

Her eyes rolled playfully. “He’s expecting me to go out dancing with him, though he probably won’t want to if he’s seen me with you like this.”

“Oh, so it’s someone you work with?” Standing, I took her hand into mine. “Introduce me to your coworkers.”

“Armor, I—”

“What table?”

Between my tone and expression, she realized I was serious. Licking the corner of her mouth, Luci led me to the table where her coworkers were seated. Their conversations ceased when we made it to the table. Three women and two men stared at us. The women smiled while the men looked at me with confused expressions.

“Get your things,” I said to Luci, and she quickly did as I instructed.

“I’ll uh… see you guys tomorrow,” she said, pulling her bag onto her shoulder.

“Which one did you have plans with?” I asked, to which she pointed toward the man who looked me over with a frown. “I apologize for the inconvenience, but Luci won’t be able to join you tonight,” I told him. “Are you cool with that, or is it something we need to discuss outside?”

Clearing his throat, he straightened in his seat and shook his head. “You’re Armor Mitchell, right?” he confirmed. I nodded, and he shook his head again. “Nah, we’re good.”

Holding in my laugh, I turned and led Luci out of the restaurant. She stared at the side of my face until I finally looked at her. “Yes, sweetheart?”

“Who are you, and why did he fold like that?” Shrugging,I thought about if I wanted to share details about my past yet. When I did, it made women view me as a project or someone to fear. “Restaurants open because of you. Men cower in your presence. You’re not just a regular realtor. Who are you, Armor?”

“All you need to know is I’m a man that is both feared and respected. I’ll make sure you feel loved, safe, and catered to. All I ask is that you give me the grace to tell you about my past on my own. Don’t Google me.” I stopped and turned to the side to face her. “Does that make you want to go back inside?”

She thought about it for only a second before her head shook. “No. Let’s go.”

14

Remedy

A loud clapof thunder woke me up out of my sleep. I rolled over and grabbed the remote from the nightstand. After electronically opening the blinds, I allowed the soothing sound of rain to relax me, but it wasn’t long before my door creaked open. I smiled. Like clockwork, the thunder had caused Callie to find her way to me.

She’d been afraid of storms since we were kids. Every time there used to be a bad one, she would hide in the closet or sleep with her parents. When we were together, I’d hold her until it passed. I used to take great pride in helping her feel safe. There was never anything romantic about having her in my arms. Now, I was sure that wouldn’t be the case.

“Remedy,” she called sweetly. When I didn’t respond, she groaned and climbed into bed. “I know you’re awake.”

---