Page 26 of His to Have
“There you go,” I encouraged.
Now we were damn near in sync, both of our hearts thumping in a synchronized rhythm. When my lips touched her ear again, Ayanna swallowed hard, gripping the Glock tighter. Her lips parted slightly. She wanted to protest, but couldn’t find enough will power to pull away, or say anything.
“You good?” I whispered in her ear.
“Yes, of course. Why wouldn’t I be?” She shot back, breathless, and a touch too quick. And despite her best efforts, I could feel the slight shiver that ran through her.
I chuckled. “Just making sure.”
Using my other hand, I gently adjusted her hips.”Center your waist. It’s better for balance.”
Instinctively, her body eased into mine.
Bash cleared his throat loudly. “Do y’all need me to step out? I ain’t trying to see that shit with my sister, man.”
Ayanna froze almost instantly, her body tightening in my hold as Bash’s words snapped her back to reality. Without a second thought she stepped out of my grip, freeing herself from my hold. She rubbed her empty hand against the base of her neck, as if that could hide the heat creeping up her cheeks.
“There’s nothing to see.” She took a few more steps forward creating additional space. “Teo, I think I will be just fine with the way I’ve been doing it. Besides, don’t you plan on having your men follow me through every facet of my life, anyway? It’s not like any of this will matter.”
“You may as well give up that fight, Yanna.” Bash pushed himself off the wall, walking over to the attendant manning the range. He murmured something low before the man nodded and stepped out, leaving the three of us alone. “I would look at yo’ man sideways if he wasn’t protecting you properly. Quit fighting him on this.”
Ayanna crossed her arms, a protest already forming. I’m sure to tell us both how I wasn’t her man, but I stepped closer, cuttingher off with a teasing smirk. “If you say it, I will kiss that denial right off your pretty little lips.” I raised an eyebrow, daring her to test me.
She blinked rapidly, before turning to look at her brother. As if he could save her. She knew I didn’t give a damn about an audience. I’d been keeping things friendly with her for a long time, even though we moved beyond just friends years ago. I would claim her lips as my possession, and she would thoroughly enjoy every second of it. Wisely, she chose to redirect her energy to something safe.
“What’s so important that you dragged us both down here?” she huffed, rolling her eyes dramatically.
Bash grinned at her antics, but got to the reason for our visit. “Needed to holler at y’all both about the warehouse my guys cleared out yesterday.”
“Warehouse? What warehouse?” Her eyes darted between Bash and me.
I’d given her the pertinent details — who was behind it, why they were behind it, but spared her the gory details of what happened to all of those involved. Those details didn’t matter. What mattered was ensuring her safety.
“The warehouse they were sent to take you.” Bash crossed his arms, his expression darkening. “Those were Roland’s. But like him they were small time.”
“I just don’t get it. Why would Roland agree to this. We ended on good terms, and I haven’t spoken to him in ages. I didn’t even know he was still in Atlanta.”
Bash tilted his head, his gaze sharp. “Good terms? Nah, that nigga was tight when y’all broke up. Yo’ boy got to him before I could.” He nodded toward me, and Ayanna’s head snapped over to my stoic face.
I met her gaze unflinchingly. Regret wasn’t a part of my vocabulary. I wasn’t sorry for running up on him and beatinghim within an inch of his life back in the day when he rolled up to her crib drunk, pounding on her door in the middle of the night. Lucky for him she wasn’t home, or I would’ve done more than just beat his ass.
“What did you do?” Her eyes narrowed, as if that mattered. He was of no consequence to me.
“Focus, Amore. That’s not important.”
She opened her mouth to argue, but Bash cut in. “What’s important is Roland ain’t calling the shots. He’s answering to someone with longer reach.”
If I had to guess, I’d put my money on the only nigga that’s been giving us problems for the past six years.” I noted. “The little bitch confirmed that he’d been working for Orlando for years. Ever since his auntie married Orlando. Doesn’t know how Yanna played in any of this. Just knew she was key to gaining power in the East.”
“What’d you mean? I don’t have enemies. No one should think I’m the key to anything.” She frowned, confusion etched all over her pretty face.
“No, you don’t have enemies, but we do.” Bash’s voice stayed steady.“And unfortunately, being close to us means you’re caught in the crossfire.”
“I’ma handle it though. I should’ve taken care of this years ago.” I rubbed a hand down my face. Exhaling, I motioned for Bash to continue.
“So, the warehouse wasn’t some small operation. They had high-end surveillance equipment, military-grade weapons, and enough blow to supply half the city. That shit costs serious money.”
“How they go undetected from you and daddy?” Ayanna asked.
