Page 28 of Juke (DeLuca Brothers #4)

Juke

a few days later…

Sophi’s words kept replaying in my head, over and over, like they were my favorite track.

I’d never thought about myself as the family man type.

I mean, I had my family, but I never had a father.

My pops’ was killed before I was even born, so it was like I couldn’t miss what I never had.

The second Sophi blurted out she was pregnant, I knew I wanted it…

I wanted her… I wanted this, and there was no question about it.

Even though I was happy about all of this, I knew it came with stronger obligations and responsibilities.

The kind that left no room for mistakes.

No space for hesitation, and no more waiting around for shit to happen.

If I was gonna protect them, I had to make sure the threats circling us were gone for good.

Boom and Rio were my biggest problems, and both them niggas had to go.

I thought about Sophi curled up against me the night before with her hand over her stomach like she was already guarding what we’d created.

The fear that sometimes flickered in her eyes wasn’t something I was ever gonna let linger, especially not now.

I’ve already made that decision before she even told me.

Whatever it took… however bloody it got, I was gone make sure nothing ever touched what was mine ever again.

I glanced over my shoulder and watched Sophi as she slept.

She looked peaceful… finally. She’s been through too much already, and now she’s carrying my child.

I couldn’t stop staring at her… at the way her chest rose and fell, or the way her hand rested close to where our future was growing.

I never pictured myself like this. Hell, I figured if I ever had kids, it would’ve been some accident with a woman I didn’t give a fuck about.

Sophi was the complete opposite. She was the one I couldn’t turn away from, no matter how much I told myself to keep it casual, and now she’d given me something I didn’t even know I needed.

I couldn’t wait to come home and see my family waiting for me to walk through that door.

That shit gave me a distinct sense of pride that I couldn’t even explain.

That’s why the love I felt came with fire behind it.

Loving her, loving this child meant I had no choice but to kill for them.

To clear every threat before it could even get close, and I wasn’t gone rest until it was done.

I looked at Sophi again before whispering low, “I love you, shorty. You and the baby. I got y’all…

always.” I punctuated my statement with a kiss.

She stirred but didn’t wake up. I sat there a little longer, my chest tight with a mix of emotions I couldn’t even grasp.

Their future was mine to protect, and God help the ones who think they could take it from me.

I finally pulled myself up off the bed when I heard her shift again. She blinked up at me, hair a little messy, and her eyes still tired from sleep.

“You okay?” she asked, her voice groggy but curious.

“Yeah. Just thinking.” I nodded, leaning down to brush my lips across her forehead.

“About the baby?”

“About everything,” I admitted. I slid down beside her, pulling her against me. “But yeah… mostly the baby. You don’t even know how happy you got me, Lovie.”

“I’m happy too.” She smiled.

I rested my hand on her stomach, my thumb rubbing slow circles. “You good? You feel okay?”

She nodded. “A little tired and nervous, but I’m okay.”

“Baby, you ain’t gotta be nervous,” I said, kissing her cheek. “We’re in this together. Whatever you need, I got you.”

She let out a soft laugh. “You’re already acting like I’m gone be helpless.”

“Not helpless…but you’ll be creating a precious life, so I need you to be as comfortable as possible. So, whatever I have to do to ensure that, then it’s done.”

She tucked herself against my chest before she whispered, “You’re gone be a great dad.”

Her words caught me off guard. For a second, I just stared at the ceiling, letting it sink in. A great dad. That was more than a compliment… it was a responsibility. One I didn’t plan on fuckin’ up.

I kissed the top of her head. “I’ma be the best that I can for you… for the baby… for us.”

We stayed like that, tangled in each other. No outside noise… just me, her, and the thought of a future we were about to build.

***

I pushed through the back entrance of Vault and went straight upstairs to the office. Buck was already posted behind the desk, leaning back in the chair as usual. Stacks and Kilo were across from him with drinks in their hands.

“Look who decided to show up,” Buck said, grinning wide. “Thought Sophi had yo’ ass locked in the house or some shit.” He smirked.

“Or maybe I had her tied up?” I countered with a smirk.

“Here goes the bullshit,” Stacks chuckled.

Kilo just shook his head as he took another swig from his glass.

Buck leaned forward, eyes glinting like he was waiting for me to say something. “Matter fact, since you sitting yo’ big ass right here, you and Sophi got some shit to tell us?”

“That depends on what the fuck you wanna know.” I raised a brow. “I’ain volunteering shit.”

“She pregnant?” Stacks asked.

“The fuck you in my business for?” I shot back, though my tone came out more defensive than I wanted.

“I’ain take you to be a dumb nigga.” Kilo sat forward, calm as ever. “Anything that has to deal with our family is our business, and Sophi is both. Besides, I walked in on Mel talking to Kasha and Nic yesterday.”

“Nigga, you got my cousin pregnant?” Buck frowned. “You had one job and sticking yo’ dick in her was not it.”

“What the fuck I do with my dick ain’t got shit to do with you nosy ass niggas.” I rubbed my jaw as I sat back in my seat.

“So that’s a yes.” Stacks smirked.

I didn’t confirm or deny shit. I just let the silence do the talking.

“Damn it, boy.” Buck started. “You done knocked up my damn cousin. I hope you plan on making an honest woman outta her?”

“Shut the fuck up,” I muttered. “I’ain come here for that.”

Stacks raised a brow. “Wassup?”

“Cancel the fight,” I said.

“I know you ain’t fuckin’ scared,” Buck jested. “That nigga got you shook up like that?”

I smirked, cold. “The only thing that’s gone be shook is that nigga’s body when I bury his ass. Don’t play with me.”

That wiped the grin off his face quick. “So what you saying?”

“I’m saying that nigga ain’t making it to the ring. Neither is Rio. I’m done letting shit linger. Sophi is pregnant now, and I’ain waiting for nobody to make a move on her. I’m eliminating every fuckin’ threat before it even breathes in her direction. I’m done playing with these niggas.”

“You serious?” Stacks quizzed.

“Deadass,” I said without hesitation. “I’on care which one I get first… just know that I’m getting rid of both them niggas.”

Kilo studied me, calm but sharp. “You sure you ready to carry that kinda weight? Once you cross that line, ain’t no going back.”

“I’ain worried ’bout the line or going back. I’m only worried about keeping my family safe.”

“Guess that answers that, huh?” Buck rubbed his jaw, eyes cutting from me to his brothers.

“I guess it does,” I stated.

Nothing else had to be said after that. They knew I meant what I said, and I knew they would back me, even though I didn’t need it. Sophi and this baby is my only concern, and that means nothing, or no one will get in the way of that.

***

Sophi was laid out on my chest, her breathing finally slowing after I’d fucked every sound out of her. My hand stayed on her hip, sliding slow just because I couldn’t stop touching her. The thought of pulling another round out of her was heavy on me.

I kissed the top of her head, shifted a little. “You know we not done, right?”

She groaned and pushed at me, laughing soft. “Rashad… yes, we are. We’ve got to get ready.”

“Ready for what?” I smirked, pressing my mouth to her neck. “Dinner can wait.”

“No, it can’t,” she said, sitting up and shooting me that look. “We’re going to your grandparents’.”

I lay back, shaking my head with a grin. “Man, you lucky they the only people I respect enough to pull me out this bed.”

She stood, tugging the sheet around her, laughing as she disappeared into the closet. “Mhm. Hurry up before we’re late.”

We cleaned up, got dressed, and moved around the condo together, like we’d been doing it for years. Watching her fix her hair in the mirror while I adjusted my watch, it hit me how normal it all felt. Like this was really meant to be.

On the drive over, she had one hand on my arm while the other rested against her stomach without her even noticing. That little move had me staring every time.

“You ever think about what kind of parents we’ll be?” she asked, looking out the window before glancing at me.

“All the time,” I stated. “I know you gone be the soft one, while I’ma be the one laying down rules I dare them to break.”

“Balance.” She smiled.

“Exactly.” I squeezed her hand. “Ain’t no way we messing this up. Baby already got everything it needs—me and you.”

She got quiet for a second, like she was soaking it in. “I just don’t want to mess it up,” she admitted finally.

“You won’t.” I kissed her knuckles. “Only way you could fail is if you didn’t love the baby, and I know that’s impossible. You already love too hard.”

The rest of the ride was filled with small talk about names, the kind of baby clothes she wanted to buy, even her laughing about me not knowing the difference between a crib and a bassinet. All I knew was that their lil’ ass was sleeping in their own bed and not in mine, getting in my way.

We pulled up in front of the house, and I killed the engine before glancing over at her. She’d been here before, but I could tell she still got that little flutter of nerves every time.

“You good?” I asked, hand sliding to her thigh.

She nodded quick, then smiled at me. “Yeah. Just… they always make me feel at home. It’s nice.”

“’Cause you are at home,” I told her. “They love you already.”

As we walked through that door, I wasn’t just thinking about dinner. I was thinking about how, for the first time in a long time, everything around me felt steady.

The second the door opened, the smell of fried chicken and cornbread hit me straight in the face. I felt like being a kid again, walking into my granny’s kitchen after school.

“Boy, close my door before you let my air out!” Granny’s voice carried from the dining room before we even stepped in.

We rounded the corner, and just like always, Pops was at the head with a glass of brown liquor in his hand.

Uncle Mason and Aunt Angie were already deep in conversation while Deion was on his phone.

CiCi glared like she was two seconds from cursing whoever was on her phone out.

MJ had Robin tucked close, his hand resting on her belly.

My mama and Jacob showed up this week since he was back in town.

“Lord,” Granny said, standing up. “Sophi, come here, baby. Don’t let this fool keep you in the doorway.”

Sophi’s smile lit the entire room as she went straight into Granny’s arms. Pops leaned forward with his grin wide. “Good to see you, girl. You keeping this one out of trouble?”

“She’s trying,” I cut in, sliding my arm around her waist.

“Somebody’s gotta keep you in line, cuz,” CiCi chimed, smirking. “She got her work cut out.”

“Mhm,” Aunt Angie said, passing a dish down the table. “Pretty as she is, I still don’t know how she put up with your hard head.”

“Y’all ain’t gone keep trying me like I ain’t a good nigga. Mama, you gone let them talk about your boy like that?” I smirked, dropping into a chair with Sophi beside me.

“Well, baby. Mama was worried about you for a while,” she countered. All I could do was shake my head because I couldn’t even argue with her on that.

Robin leaned over, smiling. “Don’t let them tease you too much, girl. They’re just happy he finally brought somebody around worth keeping.”

“Facts.” Deion interrupted. “I thought we would have to deal with Nessa forever.”

The whole table went quiet. Mama gave him a sharp look that made him duck his head instantly. “What? I’m just saying.” He shrugged.

“You a dumbass nigga.” I cut my eyes at him.

“Alright, Rashad.” Granny warned.

The food started getting passed, and everybody was talking to each other, carrying on individual conversations. I sat back for a second, one arm stretched behind Sophi’s chair, just watching her laugh with my people.

“Rashad, you glowing.” CiCi suddenly said, cutting her eyes at me.

“Glowing?” Granny raised her brow.

The table went quiet again, all eyes sliding to me and Sophi. She shifted beside me, a little shy but not pulling away. I found her hand under the table and squeezed it.

“Sounds like there’s something you gotta tell us, boy.” Pops mentioned, never taking his eyes off of me.

Mama’s gaze was locked on me too, like she was waiting for my response.

“There is something.” I cleared my throat.

“Oh, my God—” Robin gasped.

“Relax,” I said with a laugh, though my chest was tight. “Ain’t no big announcement… well, yeah, it is. We’re having a baby.”

The room froze. Then Granny clapped her hands together. “Well, I’ll be damned! I knew that gal was spreading.”

Deion blinked, leaning forward. “Wait—what? You? A daddy?”

“Shut yo’ ass up,” I shot back.

“Rashad.” My mama’s voiced cracked as she called my name.

I turned toward her. She was smiling, eyes shining even as her hand covered her mouth like she was trying to hold it all in.

“You serious?” she asked.

“Yeah, Ma,” I said, steady. “You’re about to be a granny.”

She let out a shaky laugh and stood, circling the table. She kissed the top of my head before cupping Sophi’s face. “Look at my baby, ‘bout to have a baby. And you…” She smiled at Sophi, tears in her eyes. “You were already the daughter I never had, but now it’s official.”

“Thank you… Ma.” Sophi simpered with tears of her own.

Mama kissed her forehead, then put a hand on my shoulder, squeezing tight.

“I know you’ll take care of them. Just promise me—be present.

Don’t let this world take you away from them.

” I knew that was more of her in her feelings about my pops being killed.

As long as I had breath in my body, she didn’t have to worry about that.

“I got you, Ma.”

“Boy, you better be ready. Babies change everything,” Pops chuckled.

“I am,” I said. “That’s why I’m telling y’all now. Ain’t no half-stepping when it comes to them. They’re already my top priority, and I’m gone do right by both of them.”

Granny sniffed, dabbing her eyes before snapping, “Well, you done made me proud, Rashad. Now pass me them damn greens before I change my mind.”

Laughter exploded around the table again, filling every corner of the house. For the first time in a long time, the weight I carried didn’t feel heavy… and I’d burn the world down before I let anybody take it from me.