“For now.”
I frowned. “What does that mean?”
“Nothing.”
“Kari. You said I could be in this with you.”
“You can’t be in on everything, Malika.”
I released his face, dropping my hands to my side. “You’re still gonna do it, aren’t you?”
“What did you think I was gon say when you told me this? You had to know I would react.”
“Honestly? I wasn’t sure one way or the other.”
He made a face. “Didn’t I tell you I got feelings for you?”
“Yes, but—”
“Ain’t no but. I got feelings for you. And you’re my wife. Technically. But that means something.”
I wrapped my arms around myself. “What does it mean?”
“It means making sure you’re straight. Not letting nobody fuck with you. I don’t give a fuck about no goddamn business deals. My daddy always said a man’s first order of business is his family. And you’re my family now, Malika. You got my name. You got my ring. You got my fucking heart, too. So this was only ever gonna go one way. Know that.”
“I hear you. And I appreciate it. But I need you to promise you won’t do anything.”
He chuckled. “I’m not even gon’ waste our time pretending like I can do that.”
“Jakari! I’m not your only family. Think about your brothers. Jaz. Your mom. Your nieces and nephews. You love them, and they need you to handle the business. The Hightowers are part of that, right?”
“Yeah, but—”
“No. No buts. Promise me you won’t do anything to him.”
“Alright.” He stared into my eyes. “I promise I won’t do anything to him.”
I realized my mistake immediately. The speed of his answer and the look in his eye told me he’d just got me on a technicality. Ordinary men can be trusted with a promise like that, but not a man like Jakari. That’s a man who has power and influence. That’s a man who only has to give a nod and someoneelsewill do his bidding. He could snap his fingers and someone would snap a neck for him. He didn’t even have to be there.
And that’s the man I was married to.
That should have been terrifying, but honestly?
It felt like a blessing to me.