Page 29 of The Aries Alliance (BLP Signs of Love #14)
The Alliance
“I’m proud of you, baby. Thank you for standing up for me. You didn’t have to do it.” My mother stroked my cheek with her hand.
I bent down and hugged her tightly, closing my eyes and saying a silent blessing over her for continued healing long after this day ended. Although she tried to play it off, I saw Tiffany, out of the corner of my eye, wipe a quick tear. When I winked at her, she gave me a thumbs-up.
As members of Scarlett’s Haven remained with the press, I walked to my car and drove home. The second I left campus, a weight lifted from me, filling me with peace for the first time in years.
Tiffany and Mama met me at my house with a smorgasbord of my favorite guilty pleasures—fried chicken, candied yams, mac and cheese, turnip greens, and countless other soul food staples.
Despite losing the most prestigious job of my career, nothing stopped me from salivating as Mommy filled one of her good plates with food like I’d done a twenty-year bid in prison.
“I see you, Mama Bear. Y’all gonna make me work out three times a day for a month.” I quickly blessed my food and squeezed a crispy chicken breast and a wing next to my already full plate.
“There’s nothing wrong with indulging in a few activities that bring you joy during tough times.” Mommy beamed.
Although the familiar semblance of sadness always rested behind Mama’s light brown eyes, today her shoulders lifted higher. I was happy to have contributed to peace that was hopefully there to stay.
“Warrick is our real-life hero. I’ve never seen such bravery.” Tiffany filled my glass with sun-brewed sweet tea.
We sat around my oval dining table, enjoying each other’s company until barely any food remained.
After I washed the dishes, Tiffany stored the food and prepared to leave.
She held my hand and kissed me on my cheek at the door, holding my hands in hers as Mom gathered her belongings from my bedroom.
“We need to leave so you can think about your future,” Tiffany said.
“You don’t have to leave. I’ve had enough time to think. What I need is to be surrounded by my family, my community.” I gave Tiffany another bear hug and rocked her body back and forth.
Since she was about a foot shorter than I was, I picked her up from the ground, causing a childlike giggle to escape her lips.
“Boy, put me down before you pull something.”
Before I could argue, my doorbell rang.
“Right on time.” She stepped back and reached for the doorknob.
I checked my watch and frowned, wondering who would drop by this time of day. Although I had no problem popping up on other people, I hated surprise visitors at my house.
Tiffany opened my door, inviting in the dusky evening sun and a radiant Scarlett.
“Hey, lady.”
“Hi, Tiffany.” Scarlett gave my sister a quick hug.
When Tiffany stepped back, I took in the fullness of my ally, who bit her lip and tilted her head, checking me out as she always did.
In her look, I saw vulnerability and something else I couldn’t put my finger on.
Whatever it was drew me like a magnet as her neat locs and form-fitting black jumpsuit reminded me of our first night together.
She fascinated me then and drew me to her now.
Unlike the last time I saw her, Scarlett looked well-rested and content. Light makeup accentuated her beautiful features, especially her high cheekbones.
“Hello, War.” Her sweet voice sounded like a familiar song, tapping the recesses of my heart and awakening dormant desire I wanted to explore if Scarlett let me.
I reached for her, inhaled her vanilla goodness, and explored the dips and curves of her body. When she entered my arms and held me tight, my shoulders collapsed. This was what I wanted to come home to every day.
No one else understood my sacrifice like Scarlett. Our bond was more than trauma. It was strength built from a mutual understanding that we had each other’s backs.
“Scarlett.” I spoke her name as emotions filled me.
She held me tight and rubbed my back in small circles.
“Yes, War.”
“Thank you for not giving up on me.”
“Thank you for standing up for me.”
While we embraced again, I heard Mama’s footsteps behind me. I turned toward her and extended Scarlett’s hand in mine.
Mommy rushed toward Scarlett and hugged her like Scarlett came from her womb. With boldness, she placed her hands on Scarlett’s cheeks, holding them in place as she examined Scarlett’s features.
Scarlett placed her arms around my mother. Together, they swayed back and forth in each other’s arms.
With her hands still on Scarlett, Mommy met my eyes.
“She’s the one, baby.”
My eyes widened, not expecting Mommy to say those words. For years, she swore she’d know who my soulmate was the minute she met her. I didn’t expect that confirmation to come today.
“O . . . kay. Mom, this is Dr. Scarlett Kane. Scarlett, meet my mother, Eloise Redmond.”
“It’s nice to meet you officially, Mrs. Redmond. Your son is such an honorable man. I’m so sorry for what you went through.” Scarlett whispered her last sentence as she rubbed my mother’s back with her fingers.
My chest puffed out, pleased at Scarlett’s compliment. No award had ever made me feel so good.
“Although I’d love to stay and get to know you better, I’ll leave you two alone. I’m sure you have a lot to discuss.” Mommy patted Scarlett’s bare shoulder, giving Tiffany a not-so-subtle head jerk that it was time for them to depart.
Tiffany nodded. The two of them said their goodbyes and left a couple of minutes later.
When we were alone, I led Scarlett to my den. She placed her hobo bag next to her and rested her hands in her lap.
“I won’t take up much of your time. I want to close the loop on our agreement.”
I cocked my head, genuinely confused by Scarlett’s statement.
“What does that mean?”
Scarlett opened her bag and pulled out a piece of paper.
“Here’s a business plan I drafted. It lays out what I think should be our next step on this unconventional journey of ours.”
I received the document, then read it.
“The Aries Alliance, LLC? What’s that?”
“Our company—the one that will house liberation efforts for those like your mother and me.”
“I . . .” Words escaped me as I processed what Scarlett said. “You want to go into business with me?”
“Yes. We have the foundation for something great. We can use all our knowledge to do something bigger than both of us. Remember Audre Lorde? This is our new house.” Scarlett pointed to the papers and smiled.
“How would we do this?”
“I had a lot of time to think these past few weeks. My cousin, Dr. Zora Langston, is leaving her job as a university president. Her fiancé, Cairo Kinney, wants to give us three million dollars to seed the alliance. Zora has agreed to serve on the board. She’d be a welcome addition, given her higher education experience and her commitment to uplifting marginalized people. ”
I shook my head in disbelief.
“Cairo Kinney? The Atlanta Torch billionaire baller?”
“The one and only. You could be the alliance’s new CEO. If you’re willing.” Scarlett said those final words with lowered eyes, before reaching out to me and squeezing my hand.
“It sounds . . . perfect. You are a phenomenal woman, Dr. Kane.”
Scarlett grinned at me, showing all her teeth.
“It’s easy to be my best when I have someone lifting me up when I need it. Do we have a deal?” Scarlett extended her hand for a handshake.
“Yes, but . . .” I shook my head before biting my bottom lip.
“No, ma’am. That’s not how you and I seal deals.” I gestured to my bedroom.
Scarlett reached for my hand and guided me down the hallway.
“Since you’re my partner, I’m going to need a refresher about the duties associated with this position.”
“It’s like riding a bike.”
“Fortunately, I’m an expert at riding.” Scarlett raised herself on her toes and smiled before pecking my lips.
I patted her round butt.
“Yes, you are.”