Page 72 of Mafia Kings & Wedding Rings

“And she went along with that?” I asked, shocked that a woman would just give up her child like that.

“She did. She wanted to go right back to her life like Piaget never existed.”

“Wow. So she’s not involved at all?”

“Nope. Stopped reaching out when Piaget was two,” Staten declared.

“And Rogue?”

Staten sighed. The evident stress lines in his forehead told me all I needed to know.

“I brought Cyra here with me and the kids to help out. Back in Chicago, she would sit with them sometimes when I had to work. I realize bringing her here was probably a bad idea though.”

“Why do you say that?”

“Because the minute she found out who I really was and how much money my family has?—”

“Let me guess, she thought your money was hers?”

He nodded.

“I don’t have a problem helping her out, but she’s not my woman to take care of. I told her to get her life together and sent her ass back to Chicago.”

“Hmm.”

“Can I ask you something?” This time, he leaned forward, intensity glazing his rosewood eyes drifting into mine.

“What’s that?” I took a bite of my burger.

“How is a woman like you single with no children?”

Breaking his stare, I chewed slowly, swallowed, and took a sip of my drink. I’d been trying to block Sayer to the furthest corner of my mind, but it fucked with me that he was about to have a baby with another woman while lying to me about working on us. I’d given that nigga years of my life only to be blindsided by this.

“I was in a relationship. Thought we wanted the same things. Turns out he did, just with someone else. I never wanted to be one of those girls with a baby daddy and all that other drama. No offense.”

“None taken. I get it. Trust me, I didn’t intend on having four children with three different women.”

“Your children are beautiful, and a blessing. A little rowdy, and loud… but still a blessing. I mean… can you imagine your life without them?” I queried.

“Nah, I really can’t,” he admitted, this soft, rare smile gracing his lips.

We chatted some more while finishing our food, and when I checked the time, I saw that it was almost ten p.m. Staten paidand walked me to my car where he opened my door for me yet again. I paused before climbing inside and faced him.

“Thank you for the meal… and the conversation.”

“You can thank me by hooking up some of that potato salad and roasted chicken your pops was talking about. He was ready to risk it all for that.” He rested his hand on top of my door, the most relaxed I’d seen him since we met.

He was always so reserved and cautious with how he spoke or reacted.

“He’s a mess, but… I think I can arrange that this week.”

“If you can’t cook, you know my kids won’t let you hear the end of it. I’m terrible at making pancakes, and Tavi won’t let me live it down.”

“I’ll bring my A-game,” I assured him, not intending for it to come out as flirtatious.

A long pause between us left his eyes dancing in mine curiously. Unsure of what was happening, I caught how his gaze drifted to my lips before he stepped into my space. Staten had such a demanding presence. Not only was his six foot three frame solid, but his piercing stare as he slid his muscular arm behind my back was magnetic. The beat of my heart against my ribcage kept me from moving. Everything screamed at me to stop him when he reeled me in, but I couldn’t resist.

Part of me had to know and didn’t want to be deprived of whatever this was. With a hand against his chest, I melted in his embrace when our mouths fused together, and our tongues danced slowly in a soul-stirring kiss. The overwhelming burst of elation ripping through my veins left my knees weak as Staten backed me into the side of my car. He rested his other hand against the door and dipped his head a little lower to deepen the kiss. Breathless, I managed to push him away. His fingers gripped my lower back like he didn’t want to let me go, and my middle pulsed anxiously.