Page 22 of Juke (DeLuca Brothers #4)

Sophi

Things have been better than I ever thought they could be for me.

With Rashad, it wasn’t just about being safe, though that mattered more than anything.

It was the way he made me feel seen, like every scar I carried didn’t make me less of a woman, but more of one.

The way he looked at me—like I was something worth protecting…

worth loving… worth keeping. I never thought I’d have that again.

Some mornings, I’d wake up still half-expecting the weight of Rio’s shadow pressing over me, waiting for the fear to creep in.

but then I’d roll over into Rashad’s arms, feel the security of being wrapped in his arms, and it was like my body remembered…

I’m safe now. He didn’t even have to say much most times.

His actions did it all. The way he’d stand a little closer when we were out, his hand always resting on the small of my back like a security blanket.

The way his eyes scanned every room before I even stepped inside, already making sure nothing could touch me.

It wasn’t just about protection; it was the peace he carried with him—gritty, rough around the edges, but mine all the same.

It was in the jokes he cracked when he caught me overthinking.

The way he’d pull me into his lap when I tried to stress myself into silence.

The way he never asked for me to be anything other than myself.

With him, I wasn’t the girl who survived.

I was just… Sophi. And for the first time in years, that was enough.

Even with everything feeling right between us, I couldn’t lie to myself.

The quiet was heavy sometimes… too heavy.

I hadn’t seen or heard a word from Rio, but I knew him.

I knew the way his mind worked… the way his anger festered.

Him disappearing into the shadows didn’t mean it was over.

It meant he was waiting and watching, and that thought alone would’ve torn me apart if it wasn’t for the people around me.

My cousins… my parents, and Rashad… especially Rashad.

They were my wall… y shield, and as much as Rio might’ve thought he still had a claim on me, he didn’t realize what he was walking into.

I wasn’t standing alone anymore. I had people. I had him.

My phone buzzed on the counter, pulling me from my thoughts. The screen lit up with Rashad’s name. I smiled before I even hit accept. The picture steadied, and there he was—sweat on his forehead, and a towel draped around his neck with the noise of the gym in the background.

“You up now, shorty?” he teased.

“I’ve been up,” I lied, brushing my hair back.

He smirked, narrowing his eyes like he could see straight through me. “Nah, you look like you just rolled out the bed. You still fine as hell, though.”

Heat rose in my cheeks, and I tried to play it off. “You just finished your workout?”

“Yeah. I didn’t wanna wake you when I left.” He shifted the phone, giving me a glimpse of the ring behind him. “I just wanted to check in on you. You good?”

“I’m fine.” I nodded.

His gaze sharpened. “Don’t play with me, Lovie. I need to know for real.”

“I am,” I said softly. And I was, because I could see him, hear him. That security reached through the screen like it always did.

“Good,” he muttered, wiping his face with the towel. “Listen… don’t leave the house without security. I’on care if you think you’on need it. If I ain’t there, they need to be.”

“Rashad…” I sighed.

“Nah, I’m serious.” His tone dropped low. “I’ain taking no chances with you. Not now… not ever. You roll how I say roll until I’m back.”

I wanted to argue, but the way he said it left no space, and deep down, I knew he was right. “Alright,” I relented. “I’ll listen.”

“Good girl.” His mouth curved into that half-smile that always got me. “Now go do whatever it is you was doing, and remember… I love you.”

“I love you, too,” I reciprocated.

“Good. ’Cause when I get home, I’m gone show you just how much, so I hope you ready.”

“Rashad—” I started, my cheeks heating.

He winked and ended the call, leaving me staring at my reflection on the black screen with a simper tugging at my lips.

My man was crazy… possessive, and demanding, but he was mine, and I wouldn’t trade that for anything.

With a small shake of my head, I set the phone down and went back to straightening up around the condo, my chest still full with the warmth of his words.

I had just finished straightening up the kitchen when my phone lit up again, this time with Mel’s name across the screen. I swiped to answer, tucking the phone between my ear and shoulder as I wiped down the counter.

“Hey, Soph. You busy?”

“Not really,” I said, glancing around at the spotless space. “Wassup?”

“We were thinking about grabbing a late lunch. You want to join us?”

I hesitated for a second, then smiled. Truth was, being around them always helped ease some of the heaviness. “Yeah, that sounds good. Just text me where.”

“Perfect. We’ll see you in a little bit.”

We hung up, and I immediately pulled up the thread with my security detail.

Heading out for lunch with my cousins. Be ready shortly—I’ll let you know when I’m coming down.

I sent another quick message off to Rashad before setting the phone down. He was probably still in the middle of training, but it felt right to keep him in the loop, anyway.

After a quick shower, I stood in front of the closet, settling on a simple two-piece set I got from SHEIN and paired it with my Nike 270s. A touch of gloss and a spritz of perfume later, I grabbed my bag and phone before heading downstairs.

The moment I stepped out of the condo lobby, my car was already pulled up front, one of the guys leaning against it while another sat in the trailing SUV. They straightened when they saw me, opening the door with a respectful nod.

“Afternoon, Ms. Sophi.”

I returned the nod as I slid inside. The door shut behind me with a quiet thud, and as we pulled off, I caught sight of the SUV easing in behind us. A small measure of calm settled over me as we pulled into traffic. It felt good to have someone genuinely care about you and their actions match.

On the way to the restaurant, my phone lit up again. This time it was my mama’s name flashing across the screen. I answered quick, smiling at the sound of her voice.

“Hey, baby girl. I just wanted to check in. How you feeling today?”

“I’m good, Mama. I’m headed to lunch with the girls,” I responded as I leaned back in the seat as the car cruised through traffic.

“That’s good. You need that time with them.” Her voice softened. “And how’s Rashad? Is he treating you right?”

“He’s good, and yes, Mama, he’s treating me better than I could’ve asked for.” I simpered.

“Mhm, I can hear it in your voice,” she teased. “Your daddy asked about you too. He said make sure you’re eating and not stressing yourself.”

“I’m eating, I promise. Tell him I said I love him.”

“I will. And Soph…” she paused. “I know things ain’t easy right now, but you call us if you need anything. Don’t ever feel like you can’t come to us.”

“I know, Mama. I’ll be okay.”

We talked a little longer; her filling me in on things back home. By the time the car pulled up to the restaurant, I had to cut it short. “Mama, I just got here. I’ll call you later, okay?”

“You better,” she threatened. “I love you.”

“Love you, too.”

I slipped the phone inside my bag and climbed out of the car.

My security followed, staying a few paces back to give me space, but I still felt the comfort of their presence as I headed inside.

The girls were already at a table near the window, waving me over the second I walked in.

I hugged each of them before sliding into the empty seat.

Conversation flowed easy, like it always did when we were together.

Somewhere mid-conversation, the thought just tumbled out of me.

“I want to do something for Rashad for his birthday,” I blurted, fiddling with the straw in my glass. “But I don’t even know where to start.”

“When is it?” Nic asked, leaning in with curiosity.

“September twelfth,” I answered.

Kasha’s face lit up. “Why don’t we have it at Jackson’s club? It has plenty of space, and we can actually make it nice.”

“Oooh, I like that,” Mel chimed in. “We can get it decorated, invite the right people. Make it something he won’t forget.”

“Exactly,” Nic agreed. “A big thirty deserves something big.”

I felt the warmth of their excitement as they tossed around ideas.

I laughed with them, but mid-laugh, that chill slid down my spine.

My eyes drifted across the restaurant, and that’s when I saw him tucked away in a corner booth, hidden in the shadows.

To anyone else, he would’ve been another face, but I knew better…

my body knew better. For a second, my chest locked up, and my breath caught between my ribs.

He wasn’t looking away either. He just stared, like he was intentionally taunting me.

I blinked as I forced myself to look back at the girls before they noticed the shift in me.

My security was close, so I knew I had nothing to worry about.

Rio might’ve been dangerous, but he wasn’t stupid enough to risk making a move here in broad daylight with witnesses everywhere.

Shaking off the feeling, I forced the knot in my stomach to loosen before putting my focus back on my cousins as they planned and joked, adding my own ideas in when I could.

I smiled and laughed, pretending that everything was fine, but deep down, I couldn’t shake the feeling of Rio being this close to me, and even if I had Rashad and all this protection…

the truth was, his shadow still found a way to taunt me.