Page 21 of Royce (Atkins Family Saga #1)

Ten

Klarity

F rom the moment this nigga called me his wife and made sure nothing happened to me and Essence, I’d been feeling conflicted about all my emotions.

I didn’t know if it was my hormones all over the place or if it was true feelings.

It was crazy of me to think a man of his caliber was sincerely interested in a woman with so much baggage.

Something in me said believe him but that same something said slow down.

It was all too much and moving too fast. I’d only seen this kind of stuff happen in books or on tv.

The way he moved, the way he talked, the way he handled shit… it was so convincing. I was starting to think God sent him my way on purpose. Never in a million years would I think the man who was behind bars along with my baby daddy would have so much pull.

Who the hell was Royce Atkins and why was it so easy for him to get what he wanted?

Better yet why was I going along with it?

I could’ve asked my aunt and uncle for the funds, and they would’ve covered it, but I guess this was my test for him in a way.

He talked a lot of shit, I just wanted to see if he would stand on business.

He handled me and Essence with so much care any outsider would’ve thought I was his wife for real and I’d just given birth to our daughter.

I could count on one hand how many times my baby cried.

She was so content with him it was scary.

Hell, if I was being honest, I was just as content.

He gave me security without having to ask for it.

He was everything Cojak wasn’t starting with being a real man.

Now, I sat in the back seat of his car waiting to be led inside his home.

Dr. Bloom gave us the green light and he couldn’t wait to get us back here.

I couldn’t lie; it was cute how he made it all about us.

Nothing he said out his mouth was selfish.

He included me and my kids as if we’d been his for years.

It was diabolical to reciprocate his energy, but I couldn’t help it at times.

This stranger was attentive, giving my kids more affection and warmth in a few days than I ever received in my lifetime. It was different but I was slightly open minded.

The back door opened with him helping me out first. I was ushered to the door by CJ holding my hand along the way. He was behind us seconds later with Essence and our bags. He used his thumbprint to unlock the front door which I had to take note of. He was bougier than I thought.

Entering, I stepped inside the foyer and was immediately stopped by a crowd of people.

I assumed they were his folk from Iris and Royce Senior being in the front.

The same woman I saw on his visits stood beside them.

I guess my assumptions about her were wrong, unless she was the kind of woman who didn’t mind sharing her man.

Beside her was the other chick I saw a time or two. Maybe, I was trippin’.

“Welcome home!” they shouted.

Oh, so everybody’s delusional as fuck. Got it.

Iris came over to me and hugged me tight. She was smiling from ear to ear causing me to do the same. Her excitement behind me was like a breath of fresh air. I never had someone show so much joy of seeing me or my kids.

“Look at you. You look so worn out but still beautiful as ever.” Her compliment was much like the ones I received from Royce.

“Thank you. I feel like I’m running off a 20 percent battery. I am exhausted and ready to lay down.”

“I know how you feel. Naturally, y’all would be upstairs but I set y’all up in the guest rooms down here. That’s until you’re comfortable to climb all those stairs or use the elevator to move around more.”

An elevator? In a fuckin’ three story mansion? Why Royce? Do you have nothing better to do with your money?

Nodding, she grabbed my arm and wrapped it around her. As she moved toward the crowd, Royce was right behind us not letting me too far from his sight. This was another time I found his possessiveness to come in handy.

“Aye, listen up ‘cause I ain’t saying this mess again. This my wife Klarity, my son CJ, and my daughter Essence. Don’t question s-h-i-t I just said, just know that’s what it is and address them as such. We good?” he asked.

I quickly learned that he was more than just a member of the family.

No one questioned a thing he said but agreed without hesitation.

His presence was commanding and overpowering.

There were others that looked just as dominant and forceful, yet their heads nodded along with everyone else’s.

Royce wasn’t the man to take orders, he was the one to give them.

“Uhm, I don’t really know what to say other than hi, and nice to meet you all. If I told y’all I was dragged here against my own will, would y’all believe me?” I jested.

“Unfortunately, yes. Royce isn’t someone who accepts the word no,” the chick from his visits answered.

Something about her being the first one to answer rubbed me wrong. The fuck did she mean he didn’t accept no. The fuck have you said yes to when it came to him? You know what… that ain’t your man, Klarity. Don’t even sweat it. Six weeks and you out this bitch.

I looked back at Royce and he smirked. What the hell was so damn funny? I scoffed and said, “Ms. Iris, can you show me to the room please? I’m feeling a little weak.” I didn’t have to have a c-section with CJ, so the pain was still present and intense.

She kept moving with me and CJ still linked to her.

I really wanted to reach back and snatch my daughter from Royce’s hands, but I wasn’t about to show my ass up in here.

I was fresh out the hospital and didn’t feel like even going there with him.

Plus, I was the type to keep things private.

I didn’t publicize my humiliation or embarrassment.

“Here you are sweetie. I filled the nightstands with diapers, wipes, formula, onesies and receiving blankets. If you need anything moved or changed around, let me know and I’ll have Junior handle it.

Have you eaten anything? I can fix you and CJ something real fast. Maybe, a quick pot of surf and turf alfredo,” she suggested.

“Whatever you want to fix is fine with me. Thank you so much, Ms. Iris. I really appreciate you welcoming us with open arms.”

“I really don’t have a choice, Klarity. You heard Heidi.

Junior hates being told no or for anyone to go against his decisions.

He’s a maniac like my husband, but I have unwavering love for both of them.

Well, now you and these kids are added to the list. I’ve been begging Junior for a grandchild, and he brought me two. I’m grateful believe it or not.”

Ms. Iris smiled as she spoke about my kids and that gave me a sense of peace.

I didn’t think she would hurt them or care for them any differently than she would if they were her blood.

As much as I wanted to be against her and her crazy ass son, they both kept the same amount of energy from the start.

All I’d received was love and support, I didn’t get that from anyone other than Seri.

This was different for me, but I was accepting it at a slow pace.

I was more receptive of Iris than Royce, to be honest.

This one room was bigger than my two bedrooms put together. The house itself was ten times bigger than mine. CJ was going to have a ball exploring. If I knew Royce, he probably had toys out the ass lined up for him. This would do for my recovery.

I took a seat on the bed and Royce entered with my baby. I wanted to shower so bad and just lay it on down with my daughter. He took her out the car seat and handed her over to Ms. Iris after she washed her hands. I was glad she knew what to do without me asking.

“Ms. Iris, do you mind watching her while I shower really fast. I won’t be long,” I assured her.

“I sure can. When was the last time she ate?” she questioned immediately cooing over Essence.

“Like two hours ago and she’s quite greedy. My breastmilk came in this morning so I can feed her once I’m done. I just need to get that hospital smell off me.”

“I got her. Royce, go help her in the shower. She can’t do too much bending. Oh wait, Klarity, do you want his help? That was rude of me to invite him into your privacy like that,” she said back tracking.

“It’s fine. He’s already invaded my privacy. It ain’t like I can do anything within the next six weeks without him. Will CJ be too much? Do I need to keep him in here?”

“If I know Senior, he probably snatched his little behind up and showing him the racetrack in the back. He’s fine. However, I’ll keep an eye on him as well.”

Racetrack? Like NASCAR? What kind of money do these people have?

“Thank you.”

She walked out with Essence closing the door behind her. Royce went to the bathroom and started the shower. I released a deep breath as I stood and began to walk to where he was slowly. That c-section really had my body tensed up and in pain. I swear I could pop a few Tylenol and just knockout.

When I walked in, I was blown away for the umpteenth time.

The bathroom was damn near just as big as the fuckin’ room.

The shower had no glass to shield it in as the two shower heads were on the right side wall.

The tub was as big as a backyard pool damn near.

It made no sense why it was that big. The marble that outlined the walls was white and gray with a hint of gold and the floors were all gray. He had exquisite taste.

“From what I’ve seen so far, it’s really nice. You did good,” I complimented.

“’Preciate it. Heidi helped me pick all this shit out.”

Just the mention of her made me cop an attitude. Royce had yet to clarify who the fuck she really was to him. With her speaking up first, I couldn’t help but think that maybe she was the only one that knew Royce better than anybody in his life. Jealousy coursed through me as well as irritancy.