Page 34

Tayla

I let the emotions I felt about what happened fill my mind.

They were there on the ride from Costa’s estate to HCS’s parking deck and then home.

I hadn’t said a word about what I saw or how I felt.

The truth was that I didn’t know if I was mad that I hadn’t gotten to do it myself, or the fact that the woman I had called my mother up until a few months ago was gone.

I couldn’t even tell you if I would have even done it.

There was the possibility that I was thankful I didn’t have to. Maybe it was better this way.

When we pulled into the garage at home, I sat there until Brice came around and opened the door.

Instead of bridal style, he turned my body and wrapped me around his waist, carrying me into the house.

I buried myself into his neck and inhaled his scent.

A carnal desire took over my mind, replacing everything else.

I took a chance and flicked my tongue out tasting his skin before I wrapped my lips around it and sucked.

“Tay,” he groaned .

I took my time exploring his neck, then found my way to his lips, throwing my tongue assertively into his mouth.

I felt euphoric as he took over, possessing my mouth.

I could feel his erection at my center as I circled my hips around it.

My back hit the wall as we continued in the throes of passion.

My hands haphazardly found their way to his pants undoing his jeans and roughly trying to release his dick.

It was what I wanted. I needed it. As I fumbled with his pants, I was placed on my feet.

“Tayla,” he said, his voice stern and laced with concern. I had tunnel vision as I finally wrapped my hands around his dick.

“Tay, Baby, stop,” he groaned as he grabbed my wrists, removing them from inside his pants and briefs. I fought against his restraint on my wrist, trying my best to get free.

“Let me go, Brice. I need it. I want to feel,” I said, strained as the tears crested in my eyes. I’d told myself I wouldn’t shed any, yet here they were, about to fall against my will.

“I’m obsessed with you in every way, Tay, but that’s not what you need.

You said you want to feel, then feel, Baby,” Brice said as he cradled my body close to his.

Then I took a breath, and there it was, a scream that came from somewhere deep inside me, followed by the sobs.

Then there was the anger. It flowed from my body through my arms and into my hands, where they balled into fists as I struck Brice in the chest over and over until I got tired.

I fell to the floor, and he fell with me, because he hadn’t let go.

He was creating the safe space that provided the love I’d sought my entire life. The unconditional love .

“Stephon was so lucky not to have known his father when everything went down. She was there in my life in some capacity…” I paused to wipe my errant tears.

“I don’t think I would have been able to do it.

I’m mad at myself because she didn’t have any problems doing it to me,” I said, letting the silence fill our space.

I closed my eyes and was comforted that Brice let me get it all out.

The feeling of his arms wrapped around me and his lips resting on my forehead brought me immense peace.

While I found myself searching for a constant in my mother, Brice had always been that, without me even having to ask.

“Thank you, Brice, for always being here for me,” I whispered.

“Baby, you don’t even have to thank me for that.

I’ll provide that until my last breath,” he said, then lifted my chin to kiss my lips sweetly.

He stood us both up, scooping me back into his arms, and headed upstairs.

Once there, he headed into the bathroom, sat me on the counter, and started the shower.

I watched lustfully as he stripped down. When he caught me, he smirked.

“Not tonight, Tay,” he said as he walked over to help me down from the counter.

Once I was on my feet, he began to strip me just as he had himself.

We stepped into the shower, which had filled with steam, and he gently pushed me underneath the head, letting the water run over my scalp.

I closed my eyes and listened as the water hit the shower floor.

My mind finally felt free as my body began to relax.

There was no other feeling like it until the feeling of a soapy rag dragged across my body.

I inhaled deeply as Brice’s gentle caress moved over my breasts, down my center, and to my toes.

“Mmmm,” I hummed, feeling my body release all its tension down the drain.

“Do you remember when I asked you if you knew about rabid animals?”

“Yeah, I remember. What about them?”

“If you keep this up, I’m going to take my dick and you won’t be able to do a thing to stop me,” I said. he let out a hearty laugh at my declaration. After washing himself, he dried and moisturized our bodies before tucking us into bed. We faced each other as he pulled me further into his embrace.

“Brice, I miss Breezy.”

“Me too. You can get him from Ms. Adri when you want. Steph said she refused to take either of them to A Child’s Haven,” he said.

“I’ll do that,” I said with a sleep-ridden voice.

“Brice, don’t be scared for me when we go out on these missions. What happened to me will never happen again.”

“I know,” he said, taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly. I didn’t miss the exhausted tone in his voice. It sounded like the world's weight was on his shoulders.

“Go to sleep, Tay. I love you.”

“I love you too, unequivocally.” I felt his smile on my forehead before he left a kiss there.

With Nina being gone, a lot of the weight I carried had died with her.

I was sure that some of the weight had been lifted from him as well, knowing she’d killed his father.

However, she’d left some of that weight behind, and I would help him carry it.

That weight involved Costa, who had previously sent men after Brice because Nina told him to; would he still act on that?

My mind swam with thoughts as slumber found its way to me.

The job isn’t finished. Costa was still out there.

My eyes flickered at the sudden brightness they felt when I rolled over. I opened them only to close them back quickly. I felt around the bed to find it cold, meaning Brice had already left for work. The blinds were opened; he must have opened them before he left.

“Briiiccee,” I groaned, roughly sitting up and swinging my feet over the side of the bed. I reached for my phone to check the time. It was almost eleven. There was also a text from Brice.

Brice

I love you, Tayla. Have a good day, Baby. Kiss Breezy for me

“Shit!” I jumped up, running into the bathroom to relieve myself and brush my teeth. I wanted to have gotten him by now. I texted him back as I stood at the sink brushing my teeth.

I love you, too, Brice Jeremiah Washington.

Have a good day, and I will .

The text bubbles formed immediately as if he’d been waiting for my text.

Brice

My whole government, Tay, Baby. I don’t like that yours doesn’t match ours.

The bubbles appeared, then disappeared, before the following message came through.

Brice

I need to change that. I have to go. Just got paged.

I smiled the toothiest grin as I stood in the mirror, staring at my reflection.

I could finally claim happiness for the first time in a long time.

I expected the same empty feeling that I had felt before bed, but I didn’t.

My life wasn’t missing anything that wasn’t there before.

Heading into the closet, I pulled down one of Brice’s graphic tees and threw on a pair of biker shorts to go underneath.

After grabbing a granola bar and a water, I slipped on my slides and headed to Ms. Adri’s.

A few minutes later, I pulled into the driveway to find Stephon’s truck there.

I pulled in beside it and groaned at the fact that he was here.

It wasn’t that I didn’t want to see Steph.

I didn’t want him to ask me anything about last night.

However, I knew he would because I was being carried away the last time he’d seen me.

Although this was relatively new, he took his role as my brother seriously.

I tried to push it all back deep into my mind, where it had come from, before exiting the car .

As soon as I stepped out, the front door opened. It was Steph. He walked to the passenger side, opened the door, and sat inside.

Shit!

I pulled my leg back in, closed the door, and restarted the car. It was too warm to sit in the car without air conditioning. We both sat in silence before he finally spoke.

“If you’re anything like me, I know you don’t want to talk about last night.

I know I didn’t when my situation went down.

It took me a minute. I’m not out here to force you to talk, either.

I just wanted to let you know I’m here if needed.

Whatever it is, call me, and I’ll be there.

It doesn’t matter when or what time. Always remember, we gained more than we lost. What we gained is family,” he said as he smiled at me.

I smiled back, and he exited the car, walking around to help me get out.

“Damn, come on, Ayo. Get your slow ass out of the car. Leave your spear in there, though. You can’t have that shit around the kids,” he said and laughed.

“You, Christopher Williams, I’m dreaming mother…” I started but didn’t finish because I had stood and quickly tried to knee him in the balls. He swiftly blocked it before I threw another round of punches towards his face. He blocked every single one, all while laughing.

“I don’t know why you and JoJo think y’all can take me, and her trigger finger is not faster than mine,” he emphasized as he wrapped his arm around my shoulder to walk me inside.

As usual, Ms. Adri’s house felt welcoming when I stepped inside, and a calm washed over me.

She and Stephon had that effect on people, and it carried through her home.

I walked deeper into the sunlit house to find her on the living room floor with the babies, who were having tummy time.

I joined her on the floor, scooping up Bryson and kissing his little face and cheeks until his little giggles escaped. I placed Bryson down and did the same with Angel. After a while, Stephon joined us.

“So when are you two going to bring me more grandbabies?” Ms. Adri asked.

“Tsk. Ma, yeah, nah, you just got two!” Stephon said, then stood and plopped down on the couch. Once he was comfortable, he slouched down and closed his eyes.

“Ma, for real though, what’s up with you and Marshall?”

“We’re together, Stephon.”

“That’s all you had to say. I knew that shit anyway,” he said with his eyes still closed. Ms. Adri picked up a house shoe and launched it at his head. His eyes popped open, and he began to laugh.

“You always acting up in front of company,” he mumbled.

“What company?” My heart felt whole at her declaration.

“Yeah, what company?” I repeated as I took her other shoe, sending it to the same place hers had gone. I spent the afternoon with my brother and the woman who had quickly become a mother to me.

Nina Nine would never!

As quickly as that thought crossed my mind, I let it go because Stephon was right. I hadn’t lost a damn thing.