Page 50 of Mafia Kings & Wedding Rings
“Piaget, let’s go, Miss! Just bring the Bluetooth speaker at this point!” Cambrie called from the front door.
I could see her cakes from where I sat a few yards away. She was keeping it modest in a soft pink, satin, floral, spaghetti-strapped, mermaid-style midi dress, but them curves were ridiculous. Gold heels accented her feet, and she tugged on my youngest niece’s wrist, pulling her through the front door before locking it. It wasn’t an aggressive tug, more like ‘don’t make me fuck you up’ in a mama kind of way. I jumped out so Cambrie could hop in the passenger seat beside Staten while Rogue twitched behind his pops and Piaget climbed in next to him, bumpingTevin Campbell’s “Can We Talk,” no fucking lie.
“How the fuck she know that song?”
“You do not want to go there,” Cambrie insisted, cutting her eyes at me sharply. “We don’t even have time for the rabbit hole of the ’90s she fell down.” Waving me off, she jumped into the seat next to Staten.
Tavi and Saga joined Ivo and Jordan on their cart, so I hung off the side with Staten and the crew when he pulled off. They had me fucked up if they thought the young prince was walking.
“You didn’t have to get them dressed up,” I heard bro say to Cambrie.
“Excuse me? I met your mother. Once. She can sear you with one look. I ain’t taking no chances. These kids ’bout to be casket sharp around here.”
I found myself chortling, and even Staten let go of a little snicker. Rogue’s ass didn’t want to sit down for shit, and I could tell it was making Cambrie antsy. It didn’t help that Staten was whipping us around like we wouldn’t all fall out of this shit if he hit the wrong bump. At one point, I reached for my nephew and held him in place since he refused to sit down. By the time we arrived in Rossi’s driveway minutes later, I had worked up a fucking appetite. Before Staten could even park, I hopped the hell off.
“My feet hurt,” Piaget complained.
“I told you beauty is pain.” Cambrie stepped forward and knelt. “You the one wanted to wear heels because Tavi was. Now take those socks off.”
Piaget did as she was told but was still pouting. She took off her socks and Cambrie stuffed them in her purse.
“Put your shoes back on.”
“Here. Hop on my back.” I squatted so that she could jump on me once her shoes were secure on her feet.
The door was about five steps ahead. My niece was relieved though, hanging on for dear life. While we were approaching the door, my phone was going crazy. Shaking my head, I knew I was going to have to shut this thang down during dinner. Rossi was gon’ have my head if I responded to any of this shit at her dinner table. When the door opened, Marcella peered out at us all together, speechless.
“Somebody take a picture. This the first time I ever seen her without words,” I whispered.
“I’m on it.” Ivo had his iPhone up and ready, snapping a shot of her with her mouth wide open.
“Get y’all stupid asses in here. Dinner is ready, and you know your mama is at the table ready to cuss every last one of you out.”
“But… it’s 5:58 p.m.” I held up my wrist to show her my watch.
“Breccan, I really don’t have time for you and all this tonight.” She motioned to me impatiently.
“Whatever. I’m hungry.” I lowered myself to the ground so that Piaget could plant her feet on the ground.
“Me too. Where the food?” Rogue said, ready to rush past me.
“Lord, somehow Staten sired another version of you.” Marcella wagged her finger at me.
“Cella, you love me. I don’t know why you always capping when everybody else around though.” I leaned in to kiss her cheek before trailing Rogue inside.
The two of us arrived in the kitchen together. Rogue rushed to my mama near the island in her kitchen and stopped at her side. A rare smile fell over her lips, and I realized it was different because of Rogue. I was her son, but that grandma love was something else. When Pops died, I could tell she was really struggling, but the minute Staten showed up with the kids, it seemed to rejuvenate her. It was nice to see.
“You look so handsome, Rogue. Those braids are nice.” She ran her hand over the top of his head.
“Cambrie did it for me today. She said I couldn’t come up in here looking like a heathen.”
“Well, she’s right about that,” Ma snickered. “You were looking a little rough.”
“Ma, I need a snack,” I said, rubbing my stomach.
“Brick, you better not touch that refrigerator. The table is set, take Rogue and go to the dining room. Where is everybody else?”
“Piling in as we speak. Come on, neph. Might be some rolls on the table.” I scooped Rogue up and carried him past the kitchen into the large dining room.
