Page 17

ADIR

“Have you considered running for office?” Mayor Tomlison Bradshaw asked me.

“Why would I do that?” I questioned, half-listening to his ass.

My eyes were on my woman.

“Well, you’re a pillar of the community. The Bells are royalty. Having you in office would put this city on the map it belongs on.”

“What map is that?”

“One of the best cities to visit. Your name on a ballot would boost an influx of travelers and bring in new homebuyers.”

I smirked.

“I think you mistake me for someone who wants that kind of attention.”

He chortled, “Aw, come on, Dr. Bell. It’ll be good for you.”

In the midst of me about to answer, Mayor Bradshaw’s wife pulled up beside him.

“Honey, we need to work the room. You’re wasting Dr. Bell’s time.” She smiled shyly and wouldn’t even make eye contact with me.

A little perturbed, Mayor Bradshaw reluctantly said, “You’re right. Okay, Dr. Bell. As always, it was good to see you.”

I shook the man’s hand and let his wife lead him off.

Across the room, Pretty made eye contact with me.

Although Russ was by her side, leaving her side had me anxious and ready to get this ceremony over, and I was never anxious.

Her presence drew the gazes of too many niggas.

Some had that look in their eyes.

That look that said they were ready to risk it all for Pretty Bell.

Much like I did.

I’d kill all these niggas.

Chuckling to myself, I pictured myself covered in blood having murdered every nigga who dared to want my lady.

Then again, I should’ve been a proud nigga.

My woman was literal perfection.

Tonight, she had me deep in my feelings.

The way she held my hand and clung to me like I was the man she’d waited an eternity for really humbled a part of me that thought a life like this wasn’t possible.

We’d had yet to lay intimately together yet I was totally in this shit for the long haul.

I licked my lips, recalling how sweet the skin of her neck tasted.

Any opportunity I found tonight, I put my lips on her.

Last night had just been…

a prelude.

“Is it okay to say that I’m jealous?” Antonias broke through my thoughts with a slight chuckle.

I chuckled too. “Nah. I’d be jealous if I were you, too. However…” For just a second my gaze darted to my sister.

She was on the other side of the room being held up by some actor whose name was starting to make waves in the industry.

“You gon’ go over there and break that shit up?”

He smirked.

“Thought about it. I don’t wanna turn this shindig into a shootout.”

I burst out laughing.

“Shit, if it was Pretty, I’d have a few flamethrowers ready for that nigga.”

Antonias took a swig of his drink, then snickered.

“You know what…” He walked off in the direction of Bianca with me shaking my head in amusement.

“Now why would you get that man started?” Micah shook his head.

“Let me go get this nigga before he burns the place down.”

He went after Antonias while I downed the rest of my drink and sought out my woman.

She was still in the same spot.

The ladies who’d had her attention had moved on.

She was now talking to Russ.

Ten more minutes…

In ten more minutes, the ceremony would begin.

Then, I could jump off this stage and go to her.

From the corner of my eye, I saw Genika ascending the stage stairs.

Her eyes were directly on me.

The stage was set for those of us about to speak.

Genika was one of the speakers.

“Normally, I pay rumors about you no mind. There’s always a jealous bitch or two trying to make themselves relevant in your life,” she said.

Fire burned in her light eyes.

“It’s funny how you never wanted to commit. Yet you have the nerve to walk in here, hand in hand with a woman who isn’t half of what or who I am. What’s your plaything’s name…” Her words trailed off while seeing the platinum and diamond band wrapped around my left ring finger.

With disdain, my eyes raked over Genika as she stood in front of me.

“Don’t refer to my wife as no shit like that.”

She chuckled.

“Wife? Nigga you wouldn’t marry a fucking blade of grass. Obviously, this is a joke.”

“You’re a joke,” I stated to which she chuckled a little too loudly.

My eyes found Pretty again.

She observed me and Genika, uneasiness settling on her face.

I blew her a kiss that didn’t ease the slight frown she wore.

Tilting my head, I gave her a crooked smile until her frown finally straightened.

I wanted to go to her and assure her that all was well.

However, duty called for just a second.

I would put her mind at ease at my earliest convenience.

“Are you trying to embarrass me? Everyone in here knows we’re together.”

“I doubt that. Pretty’s reception has been quite warm.” Not that I needed anyone to validate my relationship with her.

This was so everyone knew not to fuck with Pretty.

If anyone was to ever see her outside of this venue, they knew she was attached to me.

In essence, these were other safety nets.

“I should go introduce myself,” Genika said, interrupting my thoughts.

Before I knew it, I grabbed her arm and yanked her back.

She bumped into my chest and smiled mischievously.

“Let me go,” she demanded lowly.

“Bruh, chill.” DJ chuckled as he pried my hand from Genika’s arm.

“Hoes gon’ be hoes.”

Genika cut her eyes sharply at DJ, then sauntered off in Pretty’s direction.

“Aht, aht.” My mother’s hand touched my arm, stopping me from going after Genika.

I would strangle her up by her ears if she upset my woman.

“Don’t go after her,” my mother said.

She and my father peered across the room to observe Genika approaching Pretty.

“Genika’s pregnant,” I informed them.

My mother’s eyes snapped to my face.

My dad grumbled, and DJ shook his head.

“That’s a damn shame,” he added his two cents, irking me.

“Get the fuck on,” I warned him.

Laughing, he tipped the glass in his hand toward me, then went to find himself something safe to do.

“Are you shitting me?” Mama questioned.

I shook my head. “It’s not mine. Doesn’t mean she won’t try and paint that picture for Pretty.”

“Well…” My mother cleared her throat and dusted some non-existent lent off my sleeve.

“What’s done is done. Make it right with Pretty. And make sure you clean this shit up if you need to.”

My pops chuckled.

Smirking, I peered down at my mother.

“What?” she asked. Her soft coy expression tickled me.

“I love you.”

Her face lit up in a smile.

“I love you. Also, you can’t save Pretty all the time. That’s one thing you need to learn right now. If you stunt her ability to adapt to her new life, how will she be able to handle herself in your absence?”

“In my absence? I’m not going anywhere.”

I looked at Pops to back me.

“Ya mother’s right. Don’t intervene unless you have to. Otherwise, you have to give Pretty the space to defend herself. Or else you risk leaving her vulnerable at times when you’re not present.” He made sure to clean up what my mother said.

“If you ask me, Pretty will be alright.”

Trusting my mother, I locked eyes with Pretty again.

I could tell by the look on her face that she was uncomfortable.

No one else could see the subtle uneasiness on her face, but I could, and it irked me to the core.

However, I would do as my mother said and let Pretty handle Genika. For now.