Page 83 of Mafia Kings & Wedding Rings
“You think that shit gon’ stick?” Ivo queried, propping open the back door so he could climb in back with Brick.
Our driver, Vero, waited patiently for us as I hopped into the passenger seat.
“We’ll see. Just make sure security stays on their shit. I want them on Cambrie too since she’s going to have the kids. I’ll talk to her.”
“Lathan had a point though. About Justus,” Ivo spoke up.
“It’s on my radar.” I insisted, swiping my beard.
“Let’s go get a fucking drink. Bro, you ain’t been out since you been home,” Brick suggested from the back seat.
“I’m good on that,” Ivo said, looking out his window. “I got something else to do.”
“Simp ass nigga been in his feelings.” Brick brushed him off with a wave.
Usually, I wasn’t for the club scene, but I needed a minute to get my head together and get my mind off Cambrie. Knowing that she was at home waiting reminded me that I couldn’t indulge in her the way I wanted to without there being a fallout. I couldn’t afford it. My house needed stability, and I was used to sacrificing my own happiness to make sure the ones I cared for were good. She brought a balance that was missing, and I didn’t give a fuck who liked it.
“Yeah, I’m with that,” I agreed.
“For real?” Brick couldn’t believe it.
“Yeah. Let’s go.”
“My nigga!” Brick rubbed his hands together in excitement and rocked back and forth in his seat. “I’ll call Cheeks and make sure they got VIP ready for us.” I already knew he was referring to his favorite strip club, and tonight I was gon’ be on the bullshit with him.
Emerald
“Ivo, what are you doing here?” Sighing, I shook my head while approaching my apartment door.
I hadn’t seen him in days. We’d only been back in each other’s lives a little over a week, and everything had changed. He was consuming my thoughts, and Jordan was determined to recapture our friendship. It was all a bit much, and I was just trying not to fall apart. Every time the phone rang and it was her checking on me or trying to hold conversation it made me feel like shit.
“You have to stop,” I complained, arms full of grocery bags and the mail I’d grabbed out the box on the way up.
I’d rode the bus all the way home, and I was exhausted.
“Stop what, Emerald, fucking caring?” He snatched the bags from my hands to lighten my load. “Open the fucking door.”
He got on my damn nerves. I was doing my best not to think about him, but he kept showing up despite me telling him to leave me alone. Glaring in his direction, I opened the door, tired as hell and not wanting to fight. The shit was emotionally draining dealing with him and the back and forth. He walked the bags right into the kitchen, and I kicked the door closed and set my purse on the nearby table beside the door. Sifting throughthe pile of bills and junk mail, a particular letter caught my eye. It was from the insurance company, but it was addressed to my mother. Since she wasn’t here, I was damn sure going to investigate.
“What’s that?” Ivo asked, coming up behind me.
“None of your business, just like everything else I do.” I spun to face him. “Why are you here?”
Tucking my arms over my chest, I glared at his fine ass. His appearance was a little disheveled, like he’d had a long day. The silk shirt under his blazer was left open, revealing the colorful tattoos against his chest and neck along with his gold medallion M chain. He’d had that thing since high school when his father gifted him and his brothers with them.
“You can miss me with that. What you got to eat up in here?” He rubbed his stomach and moved back toward the kitchen.
“You got me fucked up, Ivo. Go home to your wife. I’m sure she’s got a meal hot and ready for you.” I stomped behind him.
He stopped at the counter and went through the grocery bags until he came across a bag of red grapes.
“I been at work all day, then had a meeting right after, and my brothers’ dumb asses decided they wanted to go to the fucking strip club.”
“Why didn’t you join them?’
“I wanted to check on you.” He ripped the bag open and reached inside for a handful to wash off at the sink.
“No need. Been taking care of myself for a long time now. You can stop texting me too. You don’t get to give a damn about me.”
