Page 74 of Steel

“I’ll let you know when I’m coming by from now on,” I said.

“I appreciate that.”

I hesitated for a moment before pulling her in for a hug. The moment she returned it, the feeling of her in my arms became all too familiar. I’d missed her softness. The scent of her. The feel of her. Her short ass only came to my chest, but she’d always given the best hugs. As we pulled away, we both paused briefly, staringinto each other’s eyes. It took everything in me not to kiss her in this moment.

“You should probably go,” she whispered, squeezing my arms. “You wouldn’t want to miss anything important.”

“Right.” I released her and stepped back. “I’ll walk you inside.”

We walked back into the house in silence. I collected KJ, who was perched on my mama’s hip while she made lunch.

“I gotta go, Ma. Y’all be easy.”

“Okay, baby. Be safe. I love you.”

“I love you too.” When I left her side, I walked over to Neha and kissed her cheek. “I’ll see you.”

She smiled softly. “See you.”

I didn’t miss the smirk on my mama’s face as she watched the interaction. There was no doubt we’d be talking about that later.

“Wait, so they are a crime family?”Dinah asked.

She and I were on the back patio sipping coffee. It was early Sunday morning. By the time we got back home last night, all I wanted to do was shower and get in bed. Nayelli and I had spent all day with Kerrion’s family. Watching the way they took to her warmed my heart. Her grandmother loved on her every chance she could, and so did Mr. Hershel.

I could see why Kerrion loved him as much as he loved his father. He was such a nice, sweet man, and he was so playful with the kids. I’d watched him run around with Nayelli and his three in the backyard. The man was out there doing backflips and all kinds of shit with them, and they were eating it up.

Kerrion ended up coming back for dinner and brought his sister and brother-in-law with him. I kept my distance from her when she walked in. I wasn’t afraid of her, but I had nothing tosay after she threatened me. I had to remind myself that she was pregnant and that was her brother.

At one point during their visit, she cornered me as I was coming out of the bathroom. For a moment, she stood there with her arms crossed.

“I want to apologize for the way I came at you the first time we met,” she said, softly. “I stand by what I said, but my delivery could have been better. Kerrion is my brother, my best friend. I saw firsthand what the impact of you leaving did to him. It changed him, Neha. Hardened his heart, and that’s never been my brother. He has so much love to give, and I want him to be open to receiving that love back by the right person.

“I don’t know what’s gonna happen between you two in the future. Should things change, . . . if you mean him no good, I need you to give him the respect he deserves and bow out the right way. In doing so, don’t keep my niece from him. Once my family meets her, it’s a wrap. She’s already one of us, and we don’t play about family. Ever.”

I nodded. “I’m not here to take anything from him. Kerrion and I have spoken, and he understands why I did what I did and the part he played in it. All I want is for my baby to be loved during this transition. It’s just been me, her, and our small family for a long time. She deserves to know y’all, and I won’t stand in the way of that. I get you might hate me. I’m a big girl, and I can take that. Just love my daughter and be good to her. She’s so excited to meet everybody.”

“You’re welcome to come to dinner tomorrow.”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

She laughed. “We aren’t gonna jump you. I mean, that one that would fight you is also pregnant, and her husband isn’t going for that. The other one is out of the country, so you’re safe.”

I stared at her, not sure if she was joking or not.

“I’m serious,” she said, as if reading my thoughts. “But like I said, you’re safe. My brothers and sisters-in-law all know about you and Nayelli, and they are excited to meet her. Be forewarned, they can be a bit much, but that’s just who they are. Over-the-top. Overprotective. Emphasis on overprotective. I can’t tell you how many times my brothers tried to run my husband off. Lucky for me, I found a man that isn’t a punk. That’s how you need to be when you meet them. Don’t be no punk ass bitch.”

I thought about that conversation.

Kerrion also informed me last night that my presence was expected at Sunday dinner, and since then, I’d been a ball of nerves.

“Not really a crime family,” I answered. “More like vigilantes.”

Dinah snickered. “Ghetto Robin Hoods.”

“Basically.”

“How do you feel about that?”