Page 24 of Inadmissible

Taj

Back in Rose Valley Hills

“ Y ou sound like a bitch right now,” I heard Tristan say.

I’d gone to the café to get me a fresh cup of coffee and heard him talking to someone in the lobby.

I made my way to the left and rolled my eyes at the sight of Destin.

Of course it had to be him causing mess.

Carson was standing between them while Zander was behind Tristan, hand on his waist, ready for Destin to make a move.

“This ain’t got shit to do with you.” Destin sneered. “I’m tired of you putting yourself in my business.”

“Nah, it has everything to do with me,” Tristan countered. “You came here on some faux rah rah shit and thought I’d let that slide? You only mad at Carson because he told you he didn’t want anything to do with you.”

“And I’m still trying to figure out what that got to do with you.”

“Everything concerning my people has to do with me. You came running up here like a little bitch because your feelings are hurt. I’m telling you he did that because of me and my woman. If you wanna have a problem with somebody, have a problem with me.”

“The fuck is going on?” Kaos asked, Glock already in hand. Between the gun and the scowl on his face, I shivered. I knew about his past in the mafia, but seeing him in this element reminded me that he really used to be about that street life.

“Oh shit,” I muttered, briskly making my way toward the receptionist’s desk so I could call Serenity. I most certainly wouldn’t be able to calm all these men down by myself. I would probably have to use myself as a shield in front of Destin and I certainly didn’t want to do that.

“Will y’all go back to your offices and let me handle this?” Carson asked.

Zander laughed. “Now you know that ain’t gon’ happen. He came up here huffing and puffing like the big bad wolf. I’m tryna see how bad he really is.”

As Zander slowly circled Destin like he was prey, Destin’s chin jutted out and eyes lifted toward the ceiling as he swallowed hard. I had to give it to him, he wasn’t backing down. That bravery would do nothing to save him if any of those men put their hands on him though.

Once Serenity confirmed she was on her way down, I made my way back over to the men.

“Uh, guys,” I said softly. “I understand tempers are flared and emotions are high, but this is a place of business, and your clients are walking in and out. Can we please take this to a more private place?”

Tristan looked down at me with a hardened expression. “Go to my office.”

“If you come with me,” I countered.

“I’m not leaving until he does. Actually, I’m not leaving until I beat his ass. That seems like the only way he leaves people the fuck alone, and I’m sick of his annoying ass.”

The sound of heels rapidly clacking gained our attention. Serenity made her way over, and I saw Kaos shrink. It was the cutest thing I’d ever seen. Truly a sight of a beauty taming her beast.

“Princess,” Kaos started, but Serenity shook her head and wrapped her hand around the gun.

“I don’t want to hear it. Give it to me, baby.”

Grumbling under his breath, Kaos release the gun. He sucked his teeth and mugged Destin.

“You lucky my wife here, otherwise I’d put a?—”

“Go to your office, Montgomery,” she demanded, shoving his back gently. “Zander, let’s go.”

“Mane.” Zander pouted and sucked his teeth, and I had to cover my mouth so he wouldn’t see me laugh. “I ain’t even your husband. You shouldn’t be able to tell me what to do.”

“Yeah, yeah, just come on,” she replied, wrapping her arm around his and tugging him along gently.

I felt like I could better handle the situation with just my man and Carson.

“If you would like to have a civilized conversation with Carson, I can lead you to the conference room,” I said, “otherwise, I’m going to have to ask you to leave. If you don’t, I will call the police and let them know you are trespassing.”

Destin stared at me for a while before scoffing, shaking his head, and walking away. He stopped and turned, then made his way back over to us. Swiftly, Tristan pulled me behind him.

“You took my wife, and now you’re taking my friend,” Destin said, eyes locked with Tristan.

“I didn’t take your wife. That’s Trenae, remember?

” His hand wrapped around my arm, and he pulled me in front of him.

“This one right here . . . she’s mine. She ain’t ever really belonged to you.

You were a lesson she needed to learn to appreciate me.

Daddy got her now, and I don’t mind doing whatever it takes to protect my people from you.

You ain’t shit, and you ain’t ever gon’ be shit, nigga.

You can’t make this man deal with you just so you can feel better about yourself.

“He was nice because he saw potential in you as a man, but I’ve always seen right through you.

He won’t be the iron that sharpens you because you’re not iron.

You’re the cheapest form of plastic, and I have no problem lighting your ass up and making you burn.

” Tristan closed the space between them and stepped so close they would have been nose to nose if Destin wasn’t shorter than him.

“Now get the fuck out of my firm and don’t come back.

If you do, even God won’t be able to save you. ”

Destin’s nostrils flared as he looked from Tristan to me.

He took three steps back before turning and leaving.

As he walked away, all I could do was pray he stayed away, because if this pack of men didn’t put fear in him, he was a bigger fool than I realized.

I truly feared he’d end up missing if he came around again, and I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if that happened.

Regardless of how much I hated what he did to me, I didn’t want him severely hurt or killed, but from the way Tristan and the rest of the men spoke, there was no doubt in my mind that would be the next step.

As soon as I entered the bar, their hushed conversation ceased.

I knew they were up to no good when Tristan told me he was having drinks with the guys at the hotel bar after work.

The fact that my brother was included in that number told me all I needed to know.

Sitting on Tristan’s lap, I looked at all of them before I spoke.

“I’m only going to say this once. If you all are planning to do something to Destin now to avoid him popping up again, don’t.”

“Baby sis,” Tyler said, but I cut him off.

“No. I appreciate and care about all of you. I don’t want that man’s blood on my hands.

I feel like it’s my fault that he’s here causing you all stress.

If something happens to him, that will eat at me for the rest of my life.

Please, at least give him a chance to prove he’s smart enough to stay away.

If he comes back around, whatever any of you do defensively, I won’t worry over, but if any of you go on the offense and do something to him now . . . just please don’t.”

“Why do you care about him?” Tristan asked with confusion covering his face. “He don’t give a fuck about you. He proved that with how he treated you.”

“Regardless of what he did to me, I won’t allow that to change my character. It changed my desire for love, and it took me all this time to get it back. Yes, what he did hurt me, but life will hand him his own karma. None of you have to. Please don’t do anything to him.”

“Soft hearted ass,” Tyler grumbled, making me smile. “You’on never let a nigga have fun.”

“There are nonviolent ways to have fun with your new friends. Promise me, big brother.”

His head tilted back as he sighed. “I promise I won’t hurt him unless he comes back around you or Carson.”

“The rest of you promise too.”

While Zander and Carson promised simultaneously, Kaos and Tristan remained silent as they stared at me. A bark of laughter escaped me.

“Kaos, don’t make me call Serenity.”

“I promise,” he muttered quickly, making us all laugh.

My eyes went to my man who was still stubbornly holding out.

“Angel . . .”

His head shook. “You’re asking me to go against my gut.

My nature. You’re asking me to risk your happiness and peace of mind.

Carson don’t need me to do anything for him but that’s just how we are behind each other.

For you? I’ll turn this whole fucking city red.

You’re asking me to wait and see if an unstable person will come at you again.

Someone that’s proven he’s selfish and doesn’t care about going after what he wants regardless of the consequences.

You understand what you’re asking of me, right? ”

“Yes, and I know it’s a big ask. Please do this for me, baby.

Please. I know Destin. He isn’t as dumb as he’s acting.

Once he calms down and realizes who y’all are and what’s at stake, he will back down.

” My eyes shifted in my brother’s direction.

“Ty, you know Destin backed down after you beat him up. Tell them.”

His head shook as he released a heavy breath.

“I hate to admit it but she’s right. He has a lot of bark but he’s really weak.

After I beat his ass on what was supposed to be their wedding day he left her alone.

He talked shit on social media, but he stayed away from me and acted like he was blind when we were in the same space.

And he didn’t start bothering her until the gala.

“I think the possessiveness he’s feeling is coming from seeing her move on. For the past year, he’s been in his own state of bliss. Seeing a woman you fumbled happy and in her prime is enough to make even the most stable man go off his rocker. I can honestly say that he’s not a threat—at all.”

“Aight,” Tristan conceded. “But I meant what I said at the office. If he comes back around, that’s it, Taj. For real.”

“Ooh I know you’re serious because you called me by my real name,” I teased, hoping it would lighten his mood. I gripped his jaw and kissed him like I knew he liked to further soften him until Tyler acted like he was so disgusted, making us all laugh.

After thanking Tristan for agreeing, I left them to their guy time, feeling a bit more at peace and confident that Destin would remain in the land of the living.