Page 3 of The Deed to a Gangsta's Heart

I got out of juvie and was free for about three years before going to prison. After serving three of my five year sentence, I vowed to focus on my business with Armor and never get sat down again. We were five years in withArmored Remedy, and so far, we’d stayed outof trouble. I could say me fighting, stealing, and selling drugs was because of peer pressure since I came from a good home, but beyond that, I loved the power and thrill of it. Now, I received that thrill in different ways. The only thing I felt could take me back to my old ways was the need to protect someone I loved. As long as that didn’t happen, I’d stay a free man.

“Are you taking the rest of the week off?” Armor asked as I absently looked over the landscaping.

“Nah, but I will work from home. Callie should adjust with no problems, but I want to be near in case she does need anything.”

“Okay. I’ll let Amy and Pamela know they’ll need to forward the rest of your calls to your business cell phone and not the office line.”

“Aight, thanks, man. I’ll talk to you later.”

“Aight, enjoy your girl.”

I knew he didn’t mean that in a sexual or even romantic way, but the words made me smile as I disconnected the call. As I passed my parents’ home, I made the mental note to use my time away from the office to work on a few things at their house. Since they didn’t want me to buy or build them a new one, I bought the surrounding land around their home to turn into a family estate. At the moment, it was just my home and theirs since I was an only child. Eventually, my kids would have homes on my land too.

Two minutes later, I pulled into my garage and hopped out of the pickup truck. I did a quick walk through of my home to make sure everything was clean and in order for my girl. There wasn’t a woman alive that I loved more than Callie other than my mama and grandma, whom I called my grand lady.

Callie was my whole heart. We’d taken care of eachother since kindergarten. She tried to keep me out of the streets, and I made sure she was always provided for and protected. I hated the time she spent away in Memphis and tried to visit her as much as I could, but with business thriving as much as it was, I was hardly ever able to stay away for more than a couple of days at a time.

At the sound of tires on gravel, I made my way downstairs and out the front door. My parents may not have wanted an updated home, but I made sure the home I built for myself was large enough to hold all my future kids and be updated over the years. The three story dwelling place cost me two million dollars and probably would have been more if I wasn’t in such a small town. It was worth it though. Outside of my business, my home was my pride and joy, and I was glad to be sharing it with my best friend.

As soon as she cut her car off, I pulled Callie out and into my arms. “Oop.” She giggled and clumsily hugged me back as she tried to gain her footing. Like I’d ever let her fall. Hell, I hadn’t even been able to get her to fall for me.

“I missed the sound of your laugh in person, pookie,” I confessed.

“I can tell. It seems like you missed me too.”

“Just your laugh,” I teased, holding her closer. My nose was buried in her hair as I inhaled the scent of it.

She clung to me and released a content sigh. “I missed you, pooh. Are you sure it’s okay for me to stay here? I don’t want to stay with my parents, but I can—”

“Nah.” Taking her cheeks into my palms, I made sure to look into her eyes as I said, “I want you here.”

Her grin spread wide and shoulders hiked. “Good. I still can’t believe I couldn’t find an apartment or rental house. I mean, I know Jasper Lane is small but Jesus. There was literally nothing available in a decent neighborhood.”

Because I’d never lie to her, I remained silent. I couldn’t tell her I was the reason she couldn’t find anything. Regardless of how much I assured myself what I’d done was normal, Armor swore it was unhinged and obsessive behavior. Whatever it was, I’d do it again with no hesitation if it meant having her here with me.

2

Callie

I couldn’t believeI was back home, and I also couldn’t believe I’d be staying with Remedy indefinitely. Jasper Lane was a tiny town between Rose Valley Hills and Memphis. We currently had a population of five thousand. I was surprised when I couldn’t find housing in a suitable neighborhood. Not even throwing the weight of having Remedy as my best friend around gave me any luck. It was fine, though, because he had a huge home with more than enough space for me.

Remedy’s estate was what family legacies were made of. The plot of land he’d purchased was big enough for six to eight homes depending on their size. His home was just under five thousand square feet, which meant there was enough space for us to not be in each other’s way.

As we took my bags into his home, I asked him where I’d be staying. “In the second master suite.”

“Ooh, yay. I was hoping you’d put me there. I love that bathroom.”

He chuckled and looked back at me as he licked his lips. “Yeah, I know. I had it built that way because of you.”

Remedy and I had gone on a quick two day trip to a spa resort that had an overflowing tub and shower in an open concept room. The tub water could overflow and drain into the floor, providing the best steam and sauna experience if the shower was running too. He’d gotten the same design for the second master bedroom suite.

“Well I’m sure everyone that stays in that suite is grateful for me.”

He chuckled. “No one stays there except you, Callie.”

“Not even Mama Tootie and Daddy Frank?” I confirmed, referring to his parents.

“Nope. They stay in the blue room on the second floor.”

---