Page 64 of Reckless Forever
And in the middle of it all, it was me.
Mrs. Judah Jennings.
“And I apologize if this message gets you down, then I CC’d every girl that I see, see round town.”
The words from Andre 3000 had the room shaking as Judah and I walked out into our wedding reception toInt’l Players Anthemhand in hand. Everyone was on their feet, clapping and welcoming us. The building was packed to capacity with both the Mafia and my Bolivian family. My cousin Esme had also come.She was determined to show up and be a bridesmaid, and even got fitted for her dress in Bolivia, sending her measurements over to the designer as if it were nothing.
The music rattled the chandeliers, and for a moment, it felt less like a wedding and more like the kind of celebration only people with blood on their hands and money in their pockets could throw. The Italians, the Russians, everyone raised glasses in our honor. My family from Bolivia clapped to the beat, to words they couldn’t understand.
I caught my Padrino in the crowd, sitting straight up in his suit with a glass of dark liquor in hand. His nod to me was sharp and approving, but his eyes stayed watchful, as if he expected danger to be nearby.
Once we reached the center of the floor, I took Judah’s hand, and we danced to two songs. The first one was the one that he chose. John Legend “So High.” The second was a traditional Bolivian song. Although I was an African American woman, I was born and raised in Bolivia; my roots there ran deep, and that’s what made me unique. To understand that was to understand me, and Judah got that perfectly.
When our dances were over, it was time for us to eat and listen to the speeches. Everyone’s speech was so heartfelt, and I don’t think either of us thought that we would go through the emotions that we did. Storm, Ms. Meena, Esme, Jax, and Trouble’s best man speech tore me up.
"Man, look at you. From the baby of the house to a man who actually knows what the hell he’s doing. Being grown ain’t easy, bro. It ain’t about age, it’s about knowing when to move and when to stand down. And you figured that out. Sometimes. You're married, you have responsibilities, all that adult shit. Just remember, being the youngest don’t mean being reckless no more. It took some fire to get you here, but you made it. So, raise your glasses to Judah, the youngest of the camp who fearsnothing, and still keeps us all on our toes. And Ivy, you didn’t just gain a husband today. You gained family. If you don’t have anybody, you got us for life. You call and we’re coming with zero understanding, so make sure you’re ready to take it there before you call.” He chuckled as we toasted, and he sat down.
Judah just sat there, head hung, as Trouble spoke. His voice carried that mix of pride and irritation that only an older sibling could understand. Judah and Jaxon were glued at the hip; you rarely saw one without the other. But I knew, deep down, that having Trouble’s stamp of approval meant everything to Judah. I rubbed his back gently as he finally lifted his head and met Trouble’s gaze. And then he mouthed the words, “man up.”That made Trouble laugh.
The rest of the night was beautiful. Me and the girls danced until our hair stuck to our foreheads from sweat. My cousin was right there in the middle of the chaos, shoes off, holding her dress, like she had known them her whole life.
From the corner of my eye, I could see all the men file into the hallway, and I knew that a deal was being made. The unspoken reminder that while we danced, power was moving around us. The cartel had brought gifts that weren’t just lavish, they were strategic, a show of muscle and alliance.
They handed over a coca farm, access to secure routes, and military-grade rifles. Every item was a promise and a warning at the same time: respect us, and death before dishonor. Earlier, the Mafia members gave me stacks of money. Envelopes filled to the brim. More jewelry than I could wear at once, stocks, and accounts. It was a perfect exchange of power and acceptance.
Once they returned and the night went on, the music, quiet whispers, and the flickering of lighters over cigars all brought our worlds together. I watched Judah and Jaxon laughing, throwing back drinks, and for a moment, the weight of everything crossed my mind. The danger, the power, and thewar seemed so far behind us that none of it mattered. It was all supposed to lead to this moment that we were in.
By the end of the night, we were both tipsy. And we both were holding on by a thread. Our families came out to see us off so that we could go back to the hotel before we left for our honeymoon.
Padrino walked us to the truck and pulled Judah into a hug.
“Son,” he said as he patted Judah’s back.
When they parted ways, he told me that he loved me and made us both promise to visit soon. Then he slipped something into my hand and winked before he walked off.
I sat down in the truck and threw my feet across Judah’s lap.
He leaned over, drunk, and kissed me.
“I love you, wife,” he said as he tilted my head back and slipped his tongue into my mouth.
I grabbed the back of his head as I moaned, “I love you, too, husband.”
When we parted, I sat back into the seat, threw my feet over his legs again, and turned on the overhead light to see what my godfather had given me. It was a piece of paper. As soon as I unfolded it, emotion hit me like a ton of bricks as I read the letter.
To my daughter on her wedding day:
Congratulations, I already know that you are the most beautiful bride on the planet. I may not be there with you in the flesh, but I wanted to make sure that I show up for you as I always have, and as I always will. If you are reading this, just know that your husband has been put to the test. He has proved that he loves you and that he will protect you with his life just as I have. I wouldn’t have it any other way. Honor this union and let nothing come between you. Know that me and your mother will be with you every step of the way to guide you through life.When you’re up at night looking at the stars for answers. That’s us. I love you more than life itself.
This is the last thing that I can give you in death. A protector.
Do not fail him. Do not fail me.
-Your Father
Judah
3 years later
