Page 60 of Mafia Kings & Wedding Rings

This boy didn’t like clothes. The minute he came home, he would strip out of everything but his pants.

If he could get away with walking around naked, there was no doubt in my mind that he would.

We’d been spending the most time together, and although he was a handful, I loved every bit of it.

Rogue was smart and quick witted. He was so versed on me that he could finish my sentences.

We enjoyed a lot of the same foods, and he loved being in the kitchen learning how to cook.

We’d been attached at the hip, and sometimes at night, I’d find him lingering in my doorway, watching me like a creep.

It was cute. I think he was just curious because he always had questions too.

“And we already washed our hands!” Rogue declared, both him and Piaget lifting their tiny hands.

“Then you can help your sister set the table.”

“Ain’t nobody paying me around here.” Rogue hopped off his stool.

“Boy!” I slung a piece of carrot at him.

He roared with laughter and took off running toward the table behind his sister.

After all that pantry drama, I realized that Staten said his mother would also be coming, so there was no way I could feed them on no paper plates.

I went over to the cupboard and unloaded the good stuff so that Rogue and Piaget could set the table.

When they were done, Saga and Tavi slid inside with the sun setting behind them.

She still had a stank eye for me, but Saga was as relaxed as he’d been since I arrived.

The kids took their seats at the table, and I served them just as the doorbell echoed through the house.

I assumed it was Staten’s mother, but I didn’t expect Sol to be on the other side with her.

She had turned into someone that was easy to talk to.

Unlike Rossi, Sol was an open book. She also didn’t try to glamorize anything, which I appreciated.

I thought maybe Rossi knew about my modeling days and that’s why she was always turning her nose up at me.

Did she think I wasn’t good enough to take care of her grandchildren?

I tried not to let it bother me, but I’d be lying if I said this woman’s opinion didn’t matter.

“I know you weren’t expecting me, but I heard you were cooking and came right over after work so I can do a taste test for myself. I can’t have you feeding my grandnieces and nephews no bullshit.” Sol flipped some of her hair over her shoulder.

She sailed right past Rossi, who pushed the forward button on her chair and entered the foyer.

I appreciated the fact that Sol was making an effort with me, unlike Rossi.

She even put me and Six in a chat and we talked shit all day every day.

Aside from Plum, I never had female relationships like that.

Not sure what Staten’s mother’s issue was with me, but I didn’t want no smoke.

She only got a pass for so long for it though.

Right now, it was all fresh, and I allowed her that natural mama bear instinct because maybe she did see me as a threat. I could only be nice for so long.

“The kids just sat down. Let me get you a plate.” I offered, closing the door behind them.

“Well, if you’re graded on aroma, that shit smells good.” Sol rubbed her hands together. “Might have to take some home for my husband.” I had yet to meet Haco, but apparently, he’d been off on some business trip in the Caribbean and was returning home in the morning.

In the kitchen, I washed my hands and made both her and Rossi a plate so that they could join the kids at the table.

I served Rossi last. She eyed the dish, then lifted her gaze to mine.

Scrutiny crowded her beautiful features.

Even in a wheelchair there was something so strong and regal about her.

I joked all day about doing things her way, and that was the truth.

I wanted her respect above favor more than anything though.

I’d never been the type to kiss anyone’s ass to like me.

“It’s a recipe I learned from my mama.”

“Thank you.” For the first time she smiled, and it seemed genuine. “It smells and looks amazing.”

“It’s so fire, Grandma,” Saga spoke with his mouth full and giving me a thumbs up.

“Chew with your mouth closed,” Rossi and I instructed in unison.

Everyone but Tavi snickered and looked around at each other in amusement. This girl kept a permanent scowl on her face, and it was a shame because she was gorgeous.

“I’ll be in my room if you need anything. Going to call and check on my daddy for the evening and tell him goodnight.”

“Can we meet him?” Piaget questioned, forking some of her salad and bringing it to her lips.

“Um, maybe. One day.” My gaze drifted over to Rossi. “It’s up to your daddy. Why don’t you ask him?”

Daddy and I chatted for at least twenty minutes, and it was hilarious hearing him discover something new that had happened and then looking it up to see for himself.

He’d fallen down a rabbit hole of the last year from politics to pop culture, and it left my heart full.

It seemed like it’d been a while since he’d been this version of himself.

Since he was still very much lucid, I made up my mind to spend more time with him.

After promising to see him this weekend, we ended our call.

There were a couple of taps at my door before Sol sailed inside with her plate in her face, chomping away on my meal.

“Girl… this is fucking fire,” she said, aiming her fork at the entrée. “Like you need your own restaurant fire. You bring this to the family potlucks.”

“Thanks,” I sniggered, setting my phone down on the night table.

“You good?” Sol questioned, taking a seat on the edge of my bed with me.

“I’m good. Just got a lot on my mind.”

“Hmm, would it have anything to do with that brooding ass nephew of mine?”

“He’s not broody… all the time,” I defended with a laugh.

“The nigga ain’t the poster for joy either, Brie. Come on now.” Sol dug into her salad and took a bite from a garlic knot. “Rossi loves this dish too by the way. Her eyes lit up from that first bite. She might not tell you that though.”

“I wouldn’t expect it. She hates me.”

“She does not hate you. Rossi’s just… Rossi.

Her and Stat are a lot alike. Especially after their accident,” Sol mumbled.

“Don’t take it personal. She used to be the same way with me when we first met, and I was her husband’s sister.

If she’s hard on you, it’s usually for a reason, but it doesn’t last. Look at us now.

We’re like real sisters. I piss her off, she frustrates me, we’re always arguing, but it’s always love.

My mother couldn’t stand her either, but they’re thick as thieves now. ”

“That’s crazy. I never would have guessed that.” I’d heard about an accident and it being the reason Rossi was in her chair, but I never got the full details, and I thought it would be rude to ask.

I thought about looking it up online, but that seemed like an invasion of privacy or like I was doing too much. If Staten or his mother volunteered the information that was one thing, but I wasn’t one for prying.

“Oh yeah, drama for days when her and Justus first got married, but it made things interesting. The growth was serious.” Sol lifted both brows, and someone tapped lightly at my door again before it was pushed open.

When Staten poked his head inside, he was surprised to find his aunt with me. Instant irritation furrowed his brow. It was pretty funny because it was obvious his mind was on something else when he walked in. Sol twisted her mouth to the side and forked some more lasagna.

“What you doing in here?”

“Um, excuse you.” She turned her nose up. “I swear you rude as hell. You could have started with, hey Auntie. What’s up, how you doing? How’s Haco?”

Sucking his teeth, Staten let himself into my room, his presence immediately taking over and sending my heart into palpitations.

From the moment he swept those warm, prepossessing eyes over me, something had shifted.

It wasn’t anything that hit me over the head like some aha moment, it lingered until the moment he opened that door for that interview.

Now it was bold and forceful, right in my face and stealing my breath.

It wasn’t because Sayer had left me vulnerable.

In fact, being with Staten and the kids kept my mind off that situation.

The gratification he left me with came from the way he looked at me or spoke to me, when his fingers swept over my cheek or he kissed me.

It was attentive, and endearing, things that didn’t exist between me and Sayer.

“I wasn’t expecting to find you here, and I need to talk to Cambrie real quick.”

“Hmm, yeah, okay.” She lowered her eyes into little slits of suspicion before glancing at me over her shoulder. “You mind if I take a plate to go?”

“Whatever.” Staten seemed distracted, holding the door open for her, and she stepped out.

He made sure to close and lock it when she was gone before taking slow strides in my direction. The warmth in his gaze was like a caress, sweeping over me gradually. Heat pulsed between my thighs, dampening my panties.

“What are you doing?”

“I missed you.” His arm stretched, and he stroked my cheek then cuffed my chin and fused his mouth to mine.

“Staten, your mama is in the kitchen with your kids,” I whined.

“So just be quiet and let me do what I do,” he said against my lips.