Page 24 of Objection

We dropped everything to meet her there, and Serenity was surprised she’d even popped up. When she gave her sister her address, she wasn’t expecting Taylor to actually use it. Apparently, when Taylor got one of her cousins to cover her shifts for the weekend, her father told her that was unacceptable . . . so she quit, packed a few bags, and drove her little hooptie that she called Purple Passion all the way to Rose Valley Hills. She said it ran hot on her a few times, but she was determined to get to her big sister.

Of course I prepared for Serenity to want to go back to her apartment to be near her sister, but Taylor insisted that she didn’t change her life for her. To compromise, Serenity spent Taylor’s first week here at her apartment. This weekend would be the first weekend that she’d be with me. For now, she would be at the apartment Monday through Thursday and at my place for the weekend. I was cool with that.

I’d gotten Taylor a new car, and she was set to start working at the firm next month. It was kind of perfect that she wanted to go to school for law. Needing time to adjust to the new city, Taylor decided to start school during the spring semester. As happy as she was to have her sister here, I sensed something was bothering Serenity. She wouldn’t say it, but I knew it was because of her father. If I could, I’d go with her to speak with him, but she’d only do that when she was ready.

Today, all I wanted to do was chill with my woman, but Pops called and told me his brother wanted to talk. Since he went through my father to get to me, I assumed it was serious, and that was the only reason I agreed to meet with them.

Serenity hummed as she cut up fruit at the island in the kitchen. I wrapped my arms around her, and she melted against me. Running my nose across her neck, I inhaled her fruity scent.

“You smell so good, princess.”

“Thanks to you keeping my favorite perfumes stocked.”

“What are your plans for the afternoon?”

“Taylor and Nessa wanna go swimming, so I’m going to eat breakfast and chill for a little while before meeting them at the pool.”

“How’s lil sis adjusting?”

“Very well. She’s excited about school and interning at the firm. And the girl has already made two friends.” Serenity chuckled as she wiped her hands and turned to face me. “Thank you again for helping me help her. I—”

“You don’t have to keep thanking me for that.”

I caressed her cheek as she pouted. “I feel like I do. You didn’t have to give her a job, and you certainly didn’t have to buy her a car.”

“I want you to have the best quality of life. I want you to be happy and live a quiet, peaceful life full of love. My job as your man is to do whatever I can to make sure that happens. If that means helping you make sure your sister’s transition is smooth and easy, I will do it with no hesitation.”

“Crazy thing is . . .” Serenity wrapped her arms around my neck. “I believe you. And I appreciate you. Thank you so much, baby. You do increase my happiness and peace. My life is so much better with you in it.”

The only thing that stopped me from sitting her on top of the island and feasting on her was the fact that I had to meet the elders. I elected to be satisfied with just a few pecks before heading toward Unc’s pool hall. I hoped he wasn’t about to try and get me to change my mind about Woody again.

His trial had started, and from what I heard, his lawyer wasn’t doing a good job. In Owen’s defense, there was only so much that could be done in a case like this. Woody was guilty. Period. If I was his attorney, my goal would be trying to get him the least amount of time possible at this point, but there was no way he’d be found not guilty unless they tampered with the jury or bribed the judge.

Me and Pops pulled up at the same time. Like always, I told Raquel to keep the car running, because I didn’t expect this to take long. Me and Pops embraced before we headed across the parking lot toward the front door.

“You know what this is about?” I checked, and he smiled.

“I’m glad I trained you to always be prepared and try to get ahead of a situation.” His head shook. “It’s about Woody. That’s all I know.”

My steps faltered before I sighed and kept my stride. “This man does not give up. There’s nothing he can say to make me have anything to do with this shit.”

“Stand firm. I got ya back.”

I knew that but hearing him say it boosted my confidence. We spoke to Mini then made our way back to Unc’s office. I allowed Pops to enter first and sit down while I stood behind him with my arms crossed over my chest. Unc chuckled and shook his head, looking just like his brother. But the biggest different between Alpha and Adam Montgomery was their character and integrity. Alpha was willing to go along with just about anything if it meant more power . . . more money. My father, on the other hand, had his morals, principles, and boundaries like I did.

“What’s this about, Alpha? We got shit to do,” Pops spoke, and I had to hold my laughter back. Folks thought I lacked patience, but I got it from him. The only person he was patient with was my mama.

“Since your son decided not to represent Woody, we lost out on an amazing deal. We could have seen a seven figure increase per quarter, but this nigga wanna have morals and shit.” My eyes rolled toward the ceiling as I sighed, but I didn’t bother to respond. If he was disgusted by me having boundaries, that was his issue, not mine. I’d already said what I had to say about the shit. “Now . . . Woody is spiraling. He thinks the case is already lost and he wants to make somebody suffer.”

“Look, his best bet is to take a plea,” I advised. “The proof is in her stomach, and she’s being guarded so he won’t be able to try and kill her again. The moment the prosecution shares the DNA results and they confirm Woody is the father of Tamera’s child, it’s a wrap.”

“His lawyer said something similar,” Unc said, “but that’s not what I wanted with you.”

“Then what’s up?” I asked.

“I agreed to pay his legal fees and oversee his men while he’s away temporarily to make up for you not defending him. Now you owe me.”

Chuckling, I shook my head. “I don’t owe you, because I didn’t ask you to do that or agree to your terms.”

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