Page 23 of A Kingpin’s Weakness

Stormi

“Seth.”

Jo’s phone was still off. Noah’s sent me straight to voicemail. And Ronnie?

Ronnie was a damn monster.

I moved toward the bathroom. The door was cracked just enough for me to hear something soft but sharp. A sound that didn’t belong to this strong, solid man. He’s crying. It hit me like a punch to the chest.

Knock. Knock.

“Seth,” I said, voice barely above a whisper. “Can I come in?” No answer but something about his silence told me more than words ever could.

I pushed the door open gently. There he was sitting on the cold tile floor, back against the tub, legs stretched out, head leaned back like he was trying to disappear into the wall. And the tears they were falling, steady and raw. My heart broke for him.

“Hey,” I said softly as I moved closer. “I was looking for you.”

Before I could even sit fully beside him, Seth pulled me into his lap like he needed me closer to breathe. His arms locked around me like I was the last piece holding him together. And God, I didn’t realize how much I needed that too just to be held. But still guilt burned hot in my chest.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered, the tears spilling before I could stop them. “Seth, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean for any of this to happen. If I hadn’t”

“Stop,” he said, wiping my tears with his thumbs before pressing a kiss to my lips, slow and full of everything he didn’t have the strength to say.

“Baby,” he said, his voice thick with pain. “This ain’t on you. Ronnie did this ‘cause he wants the power. He’s been planning this setting it all up behind the scenes. I found out today he killed my pops.” His voice cracked on those last words. “All for the damn streets.”

I couldn’t say a word. Couldn’t breathe, even. I just wrapped my arms around him, held him tighter than I ever had. I wanted to take his pain and carry it with mine, bury it somewhere deep where it couldn’t touch him.

And Rich. God, Rich looked like he was dying inside. I should’ve hugged him before he left. Should’ve said something. But there was nothing to say when everything was falling apart.

“I need you to promise me something,” Seth whispered against my hair. “Promise me you’ll stay. Don’t go out there. Don’t try to leave. I can’t lose you too.”

“Seth...” My voice cracked. “I’m scared. Jo and Noah they out there. And if Ronnie’s still moving like this…”

“I already have Jo and Noah put up at one of my rental properties.”

I blinked. “What? Are you serious? Can I talk to them?”

Seth didn’t hesitate. He pulled out his phone, swiped through his contacts, and pressed a number. The line rang twice before someone picked up.

“Boss.”

“Quan,” Seth said, his voice dropping into that cold, commanding tone that made my heart skip for all the wrong reasons. “Put Noah on the phone.”

There was a pause, then some muffled voices in the background. I heard the scrape of the phone changing hands, a little rustle, and then a new voice came through the line—low, familiar, and already carrying trouble. “Yo.” The sound of my brother’s voice hit me right in the chest.

“Noah! Are you okay?” I asked, relief and tension crashing inside me all at once.

“Stormi, what the hell is going on?” Noah snapped. “Tell your so-called man to let me outta here. I got shit to handle.”

Yup. Same old Noah.

“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, listen to 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 just taste 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.”

He pulled back just enough to speak, his eyes locked on mine. There was no fear in his face, no hesitation just need. A part of me was scared to be his, but another part already was. The part that trusted him. The part that already loved him, even if I hadn’t said it out loud yet.

“I’m yours.” The second those words left my mouth, he bit his bottom lip, and I swear that simple gesture had me ready to explode all over. That man had a way of making me forget the danger, forget Ronnie, forget everything that didn’t feel like this.

“I want to taste you, Stormi.” His words came out like a hunger he’d been holding back. A need too strong to deny.

He laid me down in the center of his bed, staring at me like I was his favorite dish. I might’ve been a virgin when it came to sex, but I wasn’t new to head. I’d had my share of tongues, but nothing in me believed they could compare to him.

“Can I taste you?” he asked, leaning in until our lips were just inches apart.

I bit my bottom lip and nodded, breath shaky.

“I want to hear you say it, Stormi.” That voice. That authority. The way he wanted my words as much as my body? It made me feel like I was more than just a body to him.

“Yes.”

“Yes what, Stormi?”

He was gonna make me say it. I wanted to say it. “Yes you can taste me.”