Page 41 of Truth

“You know no one can replace you?” he whispered, pulling me into his chest. “We are family.” He looked around, kissing my temple. “But the Saints are our family, too.”

I was already close to unraveling. My eyes burned as tears formed. I hated I was messing up my makeup. Teenie had me soften my look, which included flat ironing my hair. I didn’t know why because Truth was going to mess it up. I wore my vest and jeans that were low riders. On my hip was a tattoo, the SaintRider lion with the initials. Yes, your girl had fallen in love with the ink gun. On my shoulder wasTruth.

I felt the warmth from Germ’s body and the beating of his heart against my cheek. I won’t lie. It felt good to know we had a huge family now. The Saints would never replace Chelly, but they were a close second. I wouldn’t give it up for anything.

Germ pulled back and smiled. “The hell you crying for?”

I shrugged and looked away. Joreen pushed out her bottom lip and mouthed, “smile.” I had smiled more now than I had in my entire life thanks to Truth.

“I guess there are some advantages to getting kidnapped,” I muttered at the sight of Truth.

“Girl, I heard you went willingly,”Joreen teased.

My mouth fell open before I laughed.

“I did not.”

I playfully nudged him as Rowdy Red made his way over to the brothers. The race would be starting soon. Today, there was no betting. Just clean fun in the name of brotherhood.

“The hell y’all over there for?” Rowdy Red asked.

I smiled, feeling my cheeks hike with my new family around. There was never a dull moment, especially when Rowdy Red would see Genny coming. After the ass beating he received from Breeze, he didn’t want those problems. Genny had apologized, but Rowdy Red still played it safe.

“What’s up, Rowdy, my friend?” Teenie smiled when Biscuit eased up and snaked his arm around her neck.

“Stop smiling.” Immediately, the corners of her lips collapsed as she pushed out a pout. “I’m just playing.”

Rowdy Red smirked then slapped hands with Germ, Biscuit, and of course Drake. He’d walked up with some rumbler but had yet to introduce her to us as she stood to the side. I couldn’t keep up with them, but I guess he and his girl, Tyricka, had broken up. Too bad. I really liked her.

“Say, Merch?” Drake knew I didn’t like that name, but today, I’d give him a pass. “Truth said for you to meet him over there by the cotton candy machine.”

I smiled and licked my lips. Cotton candy was sticky and good, especially when licked off his lips. He didn’t even give me a chance to make it to him when he eased up behind me.

I could smell his scent. That citrus and forest scent made my panties moist and my mouth water. He eased around me and slid his hands around my waist. I still blushed in disbelief that he was actually mine when I looked over my shoulder. When he licked his lips, I felt a churn in my stomach. I blushed underneath his gaze. It didn’t help that my man was fine.

He wore black jeans, a fitted, yellow tank that failed to hide his defined pecs and abs with white, black, and yellow designer sneakers. I had no clue the name of them. I couldn’t keep up. He shopped more than me. His freshly tapered hair revealed a sea of waves, and when he slid his shades off, his eyes, those soft, chocolate orbs greeted me.

“Glad you could make it.”

“Did I have a choice?”

At first, he frowned before a faint grin appeared. I was told I made him smile. That was the effect we had on each other.

“We have choices in life or naw?”

“Ummm?” I pushed my pointer finger to my chin, and my head angled to the side. “I don’t quite remember having a choice when we first met, but thank you for saving me and loving me. I couldn’t ask for a better dictator.”

He cupped his ear, leaning in my direction. “Say what? Did I hear you say dick?”

“Ugh! Stop it. There are children around.”

“I like this look on Truth. Right, Genny?” Teenie sang.

I spun around and there was my other bestie. It was like a scene inThe Color Purplewhen she took off and ran toward me.Well, waddled. She was due any day now. I was surprised she was here.

“Slow the hell down, Gee. Damn, this girl is hard headed.”

“More hard headed than me? That’s crazy, yo.” Brick joined us with Eriqua on his arm. “I’m just playing, baby.”

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