Page 61 of A Kingpin's Weakness
“That’s Stormi?” I heard Jo in the background, voice high and unmistakable.
“Stormi?” she called out again.
“Yes, Jo. It’s me,” I said, exhaling.
“What the hell is going on, girl?”
I turned to Seth, lowering my voice as I cupped the phone. “You didn’t tell them anything?”
He shook his head silently. I swallowed hard. This wasn’t how I wanted to break it. But there was no point sugarcoating it now.
“Ronnie, he came by the house the other night,” I began, my voice trembling. “He threatened me. Said I had to marry him, have his kids. Said it was the only way to pay off Noah’s debt.”
“Fuck that nigga!” Noah exploded. “Stormi, don’t even entertain that shit. I can handle Ronnie. We don’t need to be hiding like punks!”
Jo cut in. “Wait, hold up what? Ronnie threatened you? And you didn’t tell me none of this sooner? Girl, what the hell?”
“Man, fuck Ronnie,” Noah snapped.
“You already pulled the big fish. You better not mess that up with Seth!”
“Jo!” I scolded, but she kept going. “What that man got money, power, fine as hell. Girl, don’t be stupid.”
“Man, fuck all that shit Mama saying. I don’t need a savior. I’ll handle Ronnie myself.” Noah barked.
I clenched the phone tighter. “Noah, listento me. Ronnie’s not some street punk you can just fight and walk away from. He’s dangerous. This ain’t about pride, it’s survival. Just let Seth deal with it, and stay put; both of you. Please.”
A pause. Then Jo, as unserious as ever: “And where you at,Miss Let Seth Handle It? In the mansion?” Jo muttered.
I didn’t respond because I already knew what Jo was hinting at.
Jo smacked her lips “Mansion with the maids, huh. Meanwhile, we in some side property with bars on the windows. I’m not complaining though this house nice as hell. Full of fine-ass dudes too. Might find y’all a new stepdaddy while we waiting.”
I pressed my lips together, trying not to laugh and cry at the same time. For a moment, I forgot how much I missed them.Just hearing their voices brought me back to life even if they were both driving me crazy. But the moment was fragile, and I knew it.
“Noah. Jo. Please. Just stay put. Until this is over.”
I didn’t give them a chance to argue. I hit the red button and ended the call before either of them could protest or say something wild. I stared at the phone in my hand, heart still pounding.
Seth reached for me, brushing his fingers over my arm. “You okay?”
I nodded, but I didn’t feel okay. I felt like I was trying to hold the whole damn world together with shaking hands.
“Thank you.” I looked Seth in the eyes when I spoke. My heart felt full like it might burst. Not just because he made sure I was safe, but because he made sure my brother and my mother were too. That wasn’t easy, and I knew it. I felt it. He didn’t owe me that, but he did it anyway. For me.
“I have to go, Stormi.”
Seth’s voice was low, calm, but I heard the weight in it. He stood there waiting for my response, and I couldn’t give one. My whole body locked up. I didn’t want him to go. Yeah, I wanted all this handled I needed it to be over but the thought of him walking out that door and not coming back? That fear clawed at my chest like a damn wild animal.
I’d heard stories about Seth from RJ. Everybody thought he was untouchable. But I knew better. Nobody was bulletproof.
I moved without thinking, turning my body and placing my legs on either side of him. Straddling him like it was the only place in the world I felt safe. I leaned in and kissed his lips, a small peck at first, but it didn’t stay that way. Our lips moved in sync, deep and urgent, our tongues tangling in a rhythm that made my head spin. There was something about Seth’s kisses. I could get lost in them. Drown in them. His mouth didn’t justtaste like lust, it tasted like home. And with every second he held me tighter, I felt my body melting into his. He always wanted me close, and I loved that. I needed that.
I’d never had someone protect me like this. Not just with words but with action. I’d had gifts, attention, promises… but none of that ever made me feel seen. Seth made me feel seen. Like he understood me before I even understood myself. And yeah, I was playing a dangerous game with this man, but I didn’t care.
He stood up with me still in his arms my legs wrapped around his waist, his hands gripping under me like I weighed nothing. I held onto his neck, our lips still pressed together, and I swear the world disappeared in that moment. I didn’t want it to end. Because when it did, he’d be gone. And I didn’t know if I’d ever see him again.
“Tell me you’re mine, Stormi.”
