Page 20 of Juke (DeLuca Brothers #4)

Sophi

The ride back to Rashad’s condo felt heavy. He had one hand gripping the wheel, the other tapping against his thigh like he was holding himself back from breaking something. His jaw was so tight I could see the muscles flexing. He didn’t say a word. Neither did I. But the silence was loud as hell.

When we pulled into the parking garage, he cut the engine and got out without looking at me. The elevator ride was just as silent as the ride home. Once we made it inside, he tossed his bag on the floor and headed straight for the bathroom.

“I’ma take another shower,” he said, voice flat, before closing the door.

I just stood there for a second, feeling that familiar lump forming in my throat.

I sat on the couch, staring at the floor, my mind replaying that moment over and over—his face in the crowd, that smirk.

The way my stomach dropped. The sound of the shower running was like white noise, but it didn’t drown out the fear crawling up my spine.

A few minutes later, the water shut off, and Rashad came out with the towel still hanging low on his hips. His eyes locked onto me immediately, scanning my face. “Come here,” he demanded.

I got up slowly, and he pulled me in until I was pressed against his chest. His hands slid down my back, holding me like he needed me still to breathe.

“Baby, talk to me. What’s on ya mind?” His tone was calmer, but his voice still carried that edge. “Don’t sit here and bottle that shit up.”

“I’m just…” My voice cracked before I could stop it. “I’m scared, Rashad. I thought I left all of that behind me, and then I saw him. It’s like I’m right back there again, and I don’t want to feel like that anymore.”

He tightened his grip as his thumb brushed my chin, so I’d look at him. “You ain’t ever gone feel like that again. You understand me? That shit’s dead just like he will be soon.” The conviction in his voice put me at ease a little.

“You’d really do that for me? Kill for me?” I asked.

“On my Granny,” he said without hesitation. “I’m not talking just to hear myself, Lovie. As soon as I get close to that nigga, I’m putting him in the ground, and you can sleep at night knowing you’ll never have to look over your shoulder again.”

My chest rose and fell, his words sinking into me. “Rashad…”

“Nah, don’t ‘Rashad’ me.” He shook his head. “Do you hear me? I mean every fucking word that I’m saying to you. You’re mine now, and nobody gets to play with what’s mine… ever.”

Something about the way he said it had me believing every single syllable.

Back in the bedroom, my phone lit up from the missed calls from Mama and the girls. I called Mama first.

“Sophi?” Mama’s voice came through quick, telling me she’d been waiting by the phone.

“Hey, Mama.”

“You wanna tell me why I had to hear from your cousins what’s been going on with you?”

“I didn’t want to ruin y’all’s trip.” I sighed, sinking down onto the bed.

Mama’s voice rose. “Ruin our trip? Sophia Nicole, me, and your daddy did not come down here to eat good and shop while you’re out here dealing with shit like this. You are my child. If something is wrong… I’m supposed to know. Period.”

“I know, Mama…”

“Then why keep it from me?”

“Because I didn’t want you worrying… and because I didn’t want Daddy to feel like he had to do something about it.”

She went quiet for a second. “Baby, your daddy already feels like he has to do something. You know him, and I know you don’t wanna see him get riled up, but you can’t keep stuff like this from us.”

“I’m okay,” I said softly.

“I know you’re with Rashad, and I like him. Your daddy likes him. He made a good impression, but I’on care how good of a man he is; you are my responsibility before you are anybody’s woman. If I feel like you’re not safe, I’m coming to get you,” she said with finality.

Her words made my eyes sting. “Mama, I really am okay. Rashad’s been… he’s been there for me. I feel safe with him.”

“I believe you,” she breathed out. “He looked me in my face and told me he wouldn’t let anything happen to you, and I believe he meant that, but I’m still gone check on you. You hear me?”

“Yes, ma’am.” I nodded even though she couldn’t see me.

“And your daddy said to tell Rashad that if he needs help with this Rio situation, he ain’t scared to put in some work.”

That actually made me laugh. “Please don’t tell Daddy to get involved in this mess.”

“Too late, baby,” she said with a little smile in her voice. “But I’ll keep him from doing anything reckless… for now.”

“I love you, Mama.”

“I love you more, baby. And tell Rashad I said thank you for taking care of my baby.”

“I will.”

When we hung up, I took a second just to breathe. Mama always had a way of making me feel both protected and called out at the same time. My screen still lit up with missed calls from the girls, so I tapped their FaceTime request.

The second the screen connected, all three faces popped up in separate little boxes. Mel was on her couch with a blanket thrown over her legs. Nic was curled up in bed, and Kasha sitting at her kitchen island with a glass of wine.

“Bitch, I thought we had to come over there and jump on Juke’s big ass,” Mel grinned. “How you feeling?”

“I’m alright.” I smiled.

Nic tilted her head. “Alright? After tonight? Girl, you better not be lying to us.”

“I’m not. I mean… I was a little shaken, but I’m okay now.”

Kasha narrowed her eyes from her screen. “And what did Mr. Knockout have to say?”

“He said the food’s ready, so come on and let’s eat.” I turned and saw him swagger into the room and head toward the bed where I was. When he got close, he leaned forward and dropped a kiss on my lips.

The girls all started grinning like fools, with me following suit. “Okay, I’ll be out in a minute.”

He kissed me once more before turning around and leaving me to finish my conversation. When he was gone, all three girls leaned toward their screens.

“Uh huh,” Nic said, pointing. “That man loves you.”

“He told me that tonight,” I blurted.

The squeals that erupted through the speakers made me laugh and shake my head.

“See! I knew it! Didn’t I say it?” Mel clapped.

Kasha grinned, sipping her wine. “And you said it back, right?”

I nodded, feeling my cheeks warm.

“That’s it, then,” Nic said. “You really ain’t got shit to worry about. Juke will definitely handle his ass before he even thinks about getting close to you.” Mel and Kasha agreed.

We talked for a few more minutes before I told them I’d call tomorrow. Ending the call, I padded out to the kitchen where Rashad was leaning against the counter with a plate in hand, watching me with that steady, unreadable stare.

“You look lighter,” he said finally, pushing the plate toward me. “What they say?”

I slid onto one of the stools and pulled the plate closer. “Just girl talk.” I shrugged. “I told them we made things official.”

“Good.” He sat across from me, eating slow. “I meant that shit, Sophi, and I’on care who knows it.”

The way he said it… so calm, like it was the most solid fact in the world—made my chest tighten. I set my fork down for a second. “I just… I wasn’t expecting it tonight. Everything that happened…”

“Everything that happened made it clearer,” he interrupted. His eyes locked with mine. “I need you to feel safe in that, even when shit looks crazy.”

“I do. I just… I get scared sometimes.” I swallowed.

“That’s normal,” he said. “But that nigga ain’t gone get the chance to touch you again. That’s my promise to you, Lovie.”

We sat there, just staring at each other. Then he reached over, slid my plate closer to him, and forked a piece of food up to my lips.

“Eat,” he demanded. “Can’t have you falling out on me.” He smirked.

I laughed softly but opened my mouth, letting him feed me. “You’re bossy, you know that?”

“Nah,” he countered, smirking. “I just know what’s best for you.”

The way he looked at me when he said it left no room for doubt… about Rio… about us… about anything.

Halfway through, he set his fork down and leaned back in his chair, eyes still on me. “You good?”

“Better than I was earlier,” I admitted.

“Good.” His tone dropped lower. “’Cause I’on like seeing you like that. All shook up and shit. You’re too strong for that.”

“Sometimes it feels like I’m not.”

Rashad stood and pulled me onto his lap without asking. His arms locked around me, his chin rested on my shoulder. “That’s where I come in. When you feel like you ain’t strong enough, I’ll carry that shit for you. Aight?”

“Okay,” I simpered.

“Good.” He kissed the side of my neck, his lips soft but lingering. “So never question if you’re safe with me. Never question what I feel for you. I said I love you, and I’on say shit I’on mean.”

My chest rose with a shaky breath. I turned in his lap until I was facing him, pressing my forehead to his. “I love you, too.”

He closed his eyes at that, exhaling like he’d been holding it in all night. Then he pulled me closer, one hand sliding up my back, the other gripping my thigh like he needed me as much as I needed him.

We sat like that, wrapped up in each other. The house was quiet except for the sound of our breathing syncing together. For the first time all night, I felt still… I felt safe.

I pulled back just enough to smile at him. “Congratulations, by the way. I didn’t even get to say it earlier, but… you killed it tonight.”

That grin I loved so much stretched across his face.

“’Preciate that, baby.” He brushed a hand along my cheek, thumb catching the corner of my lip.

“Shit’s crazy. I’ain even grabbed my payout from Buck yet, all that other shit had me heated.

I’ll handle it tomorrow.” His eyes darkened, a mix of hunger and certainty in them.

“But tonight… we forget all that. We celebrate. You and me.”

Before I could answer, his mouth was on mine again. The kiss was deeper this time, rougher, his hands sliding under my shirt like he couldn’t get enough. My breath hitched, my body melting into his touch, into the promise of him.

He stood, lifting me like I weighed nothing, his lips never leaving mine. All I could think was, no matter what tomorrow brought it… it didn’t matter. The only thing that mattered in this moment was the two of us, and for the first time in a long time, that was enough.