Page 40 of Royce (Atkins Family Saga #1)

Sixteen

Klarity

T o love a man like Royce was overwhelming at times.

He was so spoiled and used to doing whatever he wanted that he saw nothing wrong in the things he did.

It was like raising a child at times trying to teach him right from wrong.

The thing with my husband was no one ever corrected his behavior so now he thinks everyone is supposed to fall in line giving him what he wants. That wasn’t how shit worked with me.

Like now for instance, he wanted me home waiting on him hand and foot.

A few folk hadn’t seen me and the kids with my auntie Symphony and Uncle Quill being the only ones on that list. They cared for me so much and I’d been ducked off because of crazy ass.

They should’ve been granted a visit before now.

I lucked up pulling up to Tiny Treasures seeing Uncle Quill’s truck parked next to my aunt’s car.

I parked next to their vehicles excitedly.

I missed them something serious. CJ was just as excited as I was.

He couldn’t stop screaming with joy bringing a smile to my face.

Even Essence was beginning to wake up and look around as if she knew where we were.

Removing her from her car seat then CJ from his, we headed inside. It was such a pretty day outside that sitting in the house just didn’t feel right. Royce had been gone most of the morning anyway, so I decided to enjoy the day as well. I punched in the code on the door and access was granted.

It took CJ nothing more than a second to take off running.

He spotted Uncle Quill first and that was all he wrote.

The kids knew CJ and loved him. They all screamed his name in excitement.

That alone made me happy for him. He was missed because much like his mother, he had a personality that could melt an icicle.

He was going to be a popular kid. I just prayed that didn’t backfire.

“Oh my God! Is that the babyyyyy? Why is she so big already, Klarity?” Aunt Symphony’s eyes were as big as boulders. I guess Seri hadn’t been keeping her updated like I assumed she would.

“Her father makes sure she’s fed and so does his mother. They don’t let her breathe Auntie,” I responded.

Jesus, I’m claiming this nigga as their father. He really got me out here on this dumbass shit like him.

“Father? Mother? Am I missing something?” she asked looking back and forth between me and Uncle Quill.

“ Uhh , yeah. Have you eaten? We can order lunch and talk.”

“I’ll go grab something for y’all. CJ, you trying to hang with me?” Uncle Quill volunteered his services and was even willing to take CJ along. He always read the room quicker than anyone I knew.

“Yeah!” he screamed.

“Aight. I’ll be back baby. Y’all good with Chick-Fil-A?” Aunt Symphony nodded and I followed suit. He walked out with my son in his arms.

My aunt grabbed my hand and pulled me to her office. The daycare teachers looked as if they wanted the tea, too, but I knew my aunt and she never told family business to her staff. She didn’t play that. I respected her so much for being that one person who could hold water in my circle.

She was seated before I was and was reaching for Essence immediately.

I handed her over and all she could do was coo over my baby.

Essence really was like a doll. Her big bright eyes, her bright skin, and her curly hair was everything a doll carried.

It didn’t help that her cheeks were just as puffy.

I had no love or respect left for Cojak, but we made some beautiful children that I couldn’t deny.

“Jesus, Klarity. She is absolutely beautiful. She looks so much like you, but I see Cojak in her as well. Oh, she’s going to make me cry from how pretty she is.”

“Please don’t, Auntie. She’s a baby and you see many like her come through your daycare all the time. I’m sure of it,” I said trying not to get the big head.

“You right. I’ve seen one too many kids come through here, but none has looked like her.

Klarity this child looks unreal. Oh, look how she cuts a smile.

I can’t stop looking at her. I heard you say her father and his mother makes sure she’s fed.

What? Cojak got his shit together and acting like a man? ”

“Not exactly.” I held my hand up showing the big ass rock she completely missed. When she saw it, her eyes were back to bulging. I was going to give her a heart attack at this rate dropping blow after blow.

“My God today. What the hell is that, Klarity? You’re married?” her voice was at a high whisper, but I was certain if we weren’t at her place of business, she would’ve shouted that.

“If it makes you feel any better, I didn’t find out until a week ago,” I stated with a half-smile.

“Klarity, I need you to tell me what the hell is going on for real. Who forced you into a marriage?” Aunt Symphony wore so much concern on her face it lowkey made me feel bad.

“I’m not sure if you’ve ever heard of him before but Royce Atkins. He?—”

“Is spoiled rotten. However, I would’ve never thought a man so deep in the game would be after you.

Quill and Royce Senior are distant best friends.

He wanted Quill to sit with him on The Oath, but Quill turned it down because I was pregnant with Serinity.

They chose two different paths so them hanging out is rare.

And I mean so rare that I can count on one hand how many times a year they catch up.

He still does favors for Royce whenever he calls though. This damn city is too small, I swear.”

“Wow. Didn’t see that coming,” I said completely mind fucked.

“No one would. The Atkins are Quill’s best kept secret.

You’re part of both sides now so it’s no use in keeping it from you.

I can say they’re good people. Royce Senior will love these kids like they’re his own and so will Iris.

It’s good to know you’re safe. I was wondering why you were never home when I dropped by.

How’s the compound life?” she asked with a small laugh.

I was truly floored by her response and how content she was with all this.

I was married and she seemed cool with it knowing who I was married to.

I had kids and she was cool knowing who’s care they were under.

With Royce being so upfront and headstrong about us in the beginning, I saw so many red flags.

However, those were the greenest ones I could come across. It was my fear that only saw red.

My aunt didn’t approve of anyone I dated and Cojak sat at the top of that list. Royce seemed to be the only one she brushed off and didn’t try convincing me to run.

Seri was skeptical because she knew nothing of him.

Bet if she knew her parents approved, she wouldn’t be so rude to Royce.

Hell, she was still in the dark about my marriage.

“So, you cool with us being there just like that?” I questioned.

“No, but I know Royce Junior and from what Quill told me about him, no isn’t in his vocabulary. How’d he get you to say yes to marrying him?”

“You said it right the first time. I was forced into this life. He conned me once again. I should’ve known he was slicker than oil when he got away with Essence’s name,” I said rolling my arms and crossing my arms.

“Explain Klarity. It’s like you keep giving me pieces at a time. Just lay it all out for heaven’s sake.” My aunt was growing irritable.

“Fine. So, I first met Royce when he was locked up. I was still pregnant and going to see Cojak. We took a few glances at each other until the day Cojak flipped shit and tried to beat me up. Royce didn’t let it happen and put him down.

A few weeks passed and he popped up spitting all crazy nonsense.

He called me and the kids his family and I kid you not Auntie, we been with him ever since.

He won’t let any of us move without him.

I was labeled as his wife, and poor Essence holds his last name.

He conned me into that along with marrying him.

He snuck a marriage license in the stack of papers for the bank.

I’m dumbly in love though, I can tell you that much.

He really does get everything he wants and that’s from me included. ”

All my aunt could do was shake her head and laugh.

She was over it and the look she gave me confirmed it.

Royce was a lot to deal with and she knew it.

Here I was thinking I was put in a situation where people would understand where I was coming from, but they’d known Royce for too long and knew there was no changing his mind about shit.

“You’ll be alright. He treats you right, doesn’t he?

” I nodded and she continued with, “Alright then. Stop worrying or whatever it is you’re doing.

Senior really is a loving husband and father so I’m sure Royce will be as well.

He takes after his father so don’t doubt that he can’t protect and provide.

I’m happy for you even though I wasn’t invited to anything. ”

“Auntie, what can I invite you to? He snuck the marriage license in. There was no grand wedding.”

“Okay, so make him give you one. He spoils you just as much, right?”

“You have no idea.”

“Then what’s the hold up. If you’re upset about anything, make him give you that wedding and a nice honeymoon to match,” she said smirking.

“Now that you put it that way, I just might. So, we’re good with this? Like, Royce won’t be talked about in a bad manner?” I was only asking because they talked about Cojak like a dog!

“Nope. He has the means to make sure y’all are good in all aspects. I’m happy for you and little miss Essence Atkins. I guess CJ’s the only one carrying that nigga name, huh?”