Page 21 of Juke (DeLuca Brothers #4)

Juke

The buzz of my phone dragged me out of my sleep. Sophi was still tucked against me with her face pressed into my chest, breathing slow like last night hadn’t wrecked her nerves. I reached for the phone on the nightstand and answered before it woke her.

“Yo…” My voice dragged.

“You straight?” MJ’s tone was laced with concern. “What about Soph?”

I glanced down at her, still curled into me. “She’s good. Knocked out finally. I’m good too.”

“Bet,” he said. “I been thinking about that shit all night. Nigga really bold as fuck to show his face. Buck’s checking into who helped him slide in, but you already know—it’s only a matter of time.”

“Yeah, it’s only a matter of time,” I said coldly. “The next time I see him gone be the last time anybody sees him.”

“That’s all I needed to know. You meeting with Buck?”

“Yeah. With all the shit that went on last night, I forgot to get my payout.”

“Aight. I’ll pull up. I’ll call Deion to make sure he’s there too. We need to line this shit up right.”

“Cool,” I told him. “But listen… Sophi don’t need to see none of that shit. I’ma keep her calm. She’s already carrying ’round too much.”

“Yeah, I saw,” MJ said, quieter. “Shit was rough to watch. You holding it down, though.”

“Ain’t no other options,” I declared.

We hung up, and I tossed the phone back down. Sophi stirred against me, her lashes fluttering before her voice broke through soft and sleepy. “Good morning.”

I kissed her forehead. “Good morning, beautiful.”

“What time is it?” She yawned.

“Little after nine.”

She hummed, curling back into me for a second before I slid out the bed and went to the bathroom. By the time I came back, the bed was empty.

My chest pulled tight until I spotted her coming out of the guest bathroom down the hall. “What you doing in there?” I frowned.

“I didn’t wanna intrude.” She shrugged.

That made me smirk. “Intrude? You mean to tell me after the many times I done broke your walls down, you’re worried about coming in the bathroom while I’m in there?”

“You play too much.” She blushed as she slapped my chest.

“Yeah, but you love it,” I muttered, tugging her close anyway.

I tugged her into my chest, lips grazing her neck. “Matter fact, c’mon…let’s lay back down for a minute.”

She giggled soft, pressing her palms to my chest. “Rashad, it’s already after nine. We can’t just lie around all day.”

“Why not?” I smirked, sliding my hands down to her hips, squeezing. “Ain’t shit more important than you stretched out under me right now.”

“You’re nasty,” she giggled.

“You like that nasty shit, though.” I nipped at her bottom lip.

She rolled her eyes but the way she melted into me said otherwise. My hands slipped under her shirt as I gripped her waist. I was just about to push it higher when she wiggled away.

“You’re trying to distract me.”

“Hell yeah.” I leaned back against the wall, smirking.

She shook her head, smile lingering, and padded past me back toward the bedroom. I followed, watching the sway of her hips. Once we sat back down on the edge of the bed, my voice softened.

“Call your parents, and let them know you’re good,” I insisted. “We can shoot by your aunt’s after I handle some shit so you can see them.”

“Or…I could just go there while you’re handling business. You don’t have to worry about me,” she countered.

“Nah. You riding with me today. I want you close. Wherever I’m at, that’s where you at.”

Her eyes softened at that, the corners of her mouth pulling into the faintest smile. “Okay.”

“Good girl.” I leaned closer, brushing my lips against her ear. “Besides…when I’m done handling shit, I plan on handling you, too. Might bend you over something before the day’s over with.”

“Rashad!” She gasped, smacking my arm.

I grinned, catching her hand before she could pull it back. “You think I’m playing?”

While she called her parents, I went to get dressed.

By the time she assured them she was okay and would be by later, I was dressed and ready.

I went up front to make a few calls and smoke while I waited for her.

It didn’t take her long to get ready, so she was joining me in no time.

I mentally ran through the list of shit I had to do to see if it was some shit I could get MJ or Deion to do.

Ain’t no way in hell I would be able to focus with Sophi around me looking like all I needed to be doing was fucking her brains out.

“Come on, before I reschedule everything I had to do today.” I lifted from the couch and pulled her body into mine before I let my lips brush against her neck before they landed on her lips.

***

When we stepped into Buck’s office at Vault. He was the first one to run his mouth.

“Damn, nigga. Y’all Siamese twins or some shit?”

Sophi laughed, shaking her head. This was nothing new when dealing with this nigga.

“I know you ain’t talking,” she shot back. “Nic can’t even go to the bathroom without you up her ass.”

“Damn, she got you, bro,” Stacks laughed.

Kilo smirked. “Nigga be on standby with those butt wipes and shit.”

“Fuck all y’all.” Buck waved them off, but Sophi’s laugh lingered, soft in the background. He looked her way again. “You good though, cuz? This nigga ain’t stressing you, is he?”

She nodded. “I’m good.”

“Nigga, you worried about the wrong shit,” I countered.

“Nigga… you know what? Let me give you this lil’ piece of change so you can get the fuck out my face. Nigga knocked one nigga out and all of a sudden he think he tough,” Buck snapped back, causing us to laugh.

“’Preciate that.” I smirked.

“Shut up talking to me and take this shit before I change my mind.”

Stacks grinned. “Nigga paid you faster than he pays me back.”

“Shut up, Jackson. When the fuck do I owe you?” Buck barked, and everybody laughed.

I didn’t even bother to count it because I trusted this ignorant ass nigga. I handed it over to Sophi and had her put it in her purse for me. She hesitated at first but eventually did as I asked.

“Now that y’all settled that shit, let’s talk about how we’re gone handle this Rio situation.”

The air shifted, and the grin that Buck had been sporting was long gone. “I checked the cameras again and saw that nigga walk in with Boom and his crew.”

“You sure?” I questioned.

“I’m positive.” Buck countered.

“So, what’s the move?” Stacks asked.

I leaned forward, forearms on the table. “I’on plan on letting Boom make it to the ring.” My jaw flexed. “And when I get my hands on Rio… I’m gone kill him with my bare hands.”

“So the bag on this fight don’t mean shit to you?” Kilo questioned.

“Nigga, fuck that money,” I sneered. “Ain’t shit more important than keeping her safe.” I nodded my head toward Sophi.

“And you think you’re ready for what’s gone come with that?” Stacks sat up and asked.

“I’ain never been more ready in my life. I make a living beating niggas asses. It’d be my pleasure to actually have some fuckin’ fun while doing it.” I smirked.

“Rio moving real reckless because he thinks he’s moving under the radar. No telling how he got linked up with that nigga Boom. I say we let those two think they have the upper hand, all while making sure Sophi and the other ladies are safe.” Kilo advised.

“Or,” I said, leaning back in my chair, “I can get rid of both them niggas and all this shit will be over.”

“Nigga, you ain’t God,” Buck chided

I cracked a smile that didn’t touch my eyes. “Nah… I’m just his right hand.”

The room went dead quiet for a second until Buck spoke up.

“Well, Mr. Right Hand… just make sure you don’t bury yo’ damn self in the process. I’ain got time to explain to my wife why I’m out killing niggas when I told her I’d chill.”

“Nigga, if you scared, say you scared,” Stacks joked.

“Kiss my ass, Jackson, ’fore I start with yo’ ass,” Buck threatened.

“Yeah, aight,” Stacks countered.

I don’t know how this shit was gone play out, but I was gone make sure I was prepared for anything. Too much was at stake to be caught lacking.

***

We were now sitting across from her parents, having a late lunch and just to see a genuine smile on Sophi’s face was enough for me.

Her pops was cool as fuck, and been cracking jokes since we sat down.

Mrs. Neicy was doing what all mamas did, asking a million questions and making a billion suggestions.

“So, Rashad,” Mrs. Neicy finally said, setting her glass down. “How serious are you about my daughter?”

“Mama,” Sophi groaned as she shot her mama a look.

“It’s a fair question,” Mrs. Neicy pressed, but her tone wasn’t harsh. More curious and protective.

I leaned back in my chair and met her gaze.

“It’s as serious as it gets. I’on go into anything I do with the intentions of mishandling it.

That goes for Sophi as well. I got her, and she will never have to doubt that.

I know I’m not as vocal as I should be, but what I lack in words will always be spoken through my actions,” I answered honestly.

“Mhm,” she hummed. “It sounds good and believable.”

“That’s because it’s the truth,” I countered.

Sophi’s hand slipped under the table and into mine, squeezing it as if she needed the reassurance. I squeezed back, my grip firm and unwavering. Out the corner of my eye, I caught her pops watching our interaction. He didn’t speak on it, but I could tell he was observing and taking notes.

“Let me be clear with you, Rashad. My daughter’s been through more than she should’ve. I’on care how tough you fight in that ring… if you love her like you say you do, then you make damn sure nobody ever drags her through that again. I’m not asking you, son… I’m telling you.”

I didn’t flinch. I leaned in too, locking eyes with him so he could see I meant every word. “Understood. I love your daughter, and I’ll protect her with my life, even if it means losing mine.”

The table went quiet for a beat. Mrs. Neicy’s face softened while Horace held my stare for another moment before nodding slowly, like he’d gotten his answer.

Just like that, the mood shifted back. Horace cracked another joke about Rell donating his money to charity instead of losing it in the ring, and everybody laughed.

Mrs. Neicy shared little stories about Sophi when she was younger…

things that had her covering her face with her hands while I sat there grinning, taking it all in.

I stretched my arm behind her chair, watching her laugh, listening to that sound I damn near craved now.

It steadied me in a way nothing else did, and in the back of my mind, the thought was carved in stone…

nobody was ever going cause her pain again…

not unless they were ready to see Big G himself.