Page 29

I t had been a few days since I last spoke to my mother.

Ever since the truth came out, I couldn’t bring myself to face her.

Finding out that Henry, the man who raised me and the one I spent most of my life trying not to become, wasn’t even my real father messed me up in ways I hadn’t even begun to unpack.

Not that I ever had love for that man. Hell, most days, I hated him. But it was the principle. The lies. The betrayal. The fact that the one person I trusted most, my own mama, kept it from me all these years.

And to top it off, she let me carry Henry’s last name like a badge of shame.

She had me walking through life with that man’s demons clinging to my back when, all along, there was another name that belonged to me.

There was another man and another truth she buried like it wouldn’t matter when it came to light.

I’d been keeping my distance, needing space and trying to figure out who I even was now. Boris Anderson? Boris Smith? Son of Charles?

I wasn’t sure anymore. All I knew was the person I thought I was had shifted, and I wasn’t sure where to place the anger, confusion, and grief.

The diamond cufflinks caught the light from my bedroom lamp, flashing with a sharp glint as I adjusted them on my wrists.

I gave myself one final once-over in the mirror, straightening the lapels of my black Tom Ford suit.

It fit my frame just right, tailored perfectly to fit my tall frame, which was perfect for the night I had planned for Olivia.

Tonight wasn’t just a date, it was a statement. I wanted to show her that she was more than just sex. She was my peace and my future.

I grabbed my keys, wallet, and phone before heading out of the room and down the hall to the guest bedroom, where she was getting dressed. When I made it to the door, I stopped in my tracks at the scene before me.

There she was, standing in front of the mirror, adjusting one of her earrings.

The red evening dress hugged every curve like it had been poured onto her skin.

The dress had a thigh-high slit that showed off her smooth, brown leg and an open back that revealed just enough to drive me crazy.

Her short blonde hair was styled in soft curls, the kind of effortless beauty that didn’t need a damn thing extra.

She turned slightly, and I caught sight of the gold stilettos she wore. The high heels made her legs look like they went on forever. Everything about her demanded attention, and I gave it, without shame.

She hadn’t noticed me yet, and I took a moment just to breathe her in from a distance. The soft glow of the bedroom lights kissed her skin, highlighting the shimmer on her shoulders. The way the dress moved with her as she paused to check her lipstick in the mirror made my dick jump in my slacks.

“You tryna kill me tonight?” I asked, finally breaking the silence.

She looked up at me through the mirror, her lips parting into a slow smile. “You’ll be fine. I’m certified in CPR.” She winked at me, and my heart jolted.

I crossed the room, closed the distance between us, and slipped the rose into her hand. “You look like everything I didn’t know I needed,” I said, leaning in to place a kiss on her exposed shoulder.

She blushed, and I saw it—the softness behind her eyes and the way her smile fought the nerves she probably didn’t want me to see.

“Let’s go,” I whispered, offering my arm. “Tonight’s yours.”

She pursed her lips. “Oh, it’s like that, Big Bo?”

She slid her hand into the crook of my arm as we stepped outside.

The night air was cool against her skin, but her presence burned warm beside me.

Parked at the curb, sleek and gleaming under the streetlights, was a jet-black Rolls-Royce Phantom limo.

The driver stood beside the open door, nodding with practiced discretion.

I guided her in first, watching the way her ass sat up in that red dress. The way the fabric slid along her thighs as she settled into the plush leather seats was a sight to see.Olivia looked like every man’s fantasy, but she was mine.

I climbed in beside her, and the door closed with a muted thump. A soft jazz melody floated through the cabin; I reached over, resting my hand gently on her bare thigh beneath the slit of her dress.

She turned to me with a playful side-eye. “So, it’s like this, big baller.” She smirked as she looked around the interior of the car.

“Anything for my queen. I promise to show you how a real man is supposed to treat his queen, O. Just give me a chance. I know how we got here was crazy, but just know… I got you.”

“Oh, you trying to get your dick sucked tonight? Don’t worry, you were going to get that the minute you got me outta this dress.” She cackled.

I chuckled. “You wild!”

“You know it,” she replied before looking out the darkly tinted window. “You still not going to tell me where we’re going?”

I gave her a slow grin. “Nope. Just trust me.”

She rolled her eyes, but the smile on her lips gave away that she was enjoying the secretive date night.

The drive didn’t take long. The lounge we were going to was tucked downtown. It was all exclusive, low-key, and dimly lit. You didn’t find this place unless someone wanted you to.

When we pulled up to 420 Bar & Lounge in Manhattan, the driver opened the door. I stepped out first to help Olivia exit. I watched her step out like she owned the night.

Inside, the vibe was sensual. Dark leather booths, candlelight flickering on tabletops, and soft music welcomed us.

I appreciated that the music was not too loud.

I planned to have some genuine conversation with my red-dressed siren.

The host nodded when he saw me and led us to a private booth near the back, close enough to feel the music but far enough to be left alone.

She slid in, and I joined her, letting my eyes drink her in for a moment before picking up the wine menu and saying, “I wanted to take you somewhere you could breathe. Just me and you.”

She looked at me, a fire settling in her eyes. “You always know exactly what I need.”

“That’s because I watch you, Olivia. Every move. Every look. I remember it all.”

She bit her lip and leaned closer. “Then remember this,” she whispered and pressed a kiss to my lip.

A waiter came over to our table, sitting a bucket filled with ice and a bottle of champagne on the table.

“Can I have an iced tea, please?” Olivia asked the waiter. He nodded before excusing himself from the table.

“You don’t want the champagne?”

“No. I don’t feel like drinking tonight. I hope you don’t mind.” She gave me a smile that didn’t quite reach its full potential, making my spidey senses tingle.

“Nah. You're fine, baby. It’s whatever you want.” I nodded, pouring myself a glass.

“Thank you for this. I’ve never been on a date before. Well, in high school, but that doesn’t count because my father was riding shotgun.” She laughed as if she could see the memory.

“Word?” I had to laugh, too, because I’d probably be the same way if I had a daughter.

“It was so embarrassing, Bo.”

“Whatever happened to ole boy after that?”

“Let’s just say… he never asked me out again.” Olivia shook her head.

The waiter returned with practiced grace, setting our plates down in front of us. The aromas were rich, and the presentation was dope. It was everything you’d expect from one of the top lounges in the city. But none of it compared to the woman sitting across from me.

We ate slowly, letting the conversation flow between bites of perfectly seared steak and delicate forkfuls of pasta.

“So, have you spoken to your mother?”

“Nah,” was all I said. I really didn’t want to talk about that, but I knew sooner or later, a conversation would have to be had.

“Baby, I’m not trying to ruin the night or upset you, but please… you have a talk with your mother. I’m not saying what she did was right, but life is too short. Y'all have already missed twenty years.”

“I hear you, O. Let’s just enjoy our night.”

“Okay…”

Olivia already knew the basics of how I was born in Augusta, Georgia, then moved to New York to live with my grandmother after my mother went to prison. Tonight, I planned to give her the pieces in between. It was important she get the full story before I cemented us being together.

After dinner, the Rolls-Royce Phantom limo glided through the vibrant streets of Manhattan, the city pulsing with energy as we made our way downtown. When we pulled up near the marina, Olivia looked out the window, her brows lifting slightly.

“We’re not going back yet?” she asked with a smile.

“Not quite,” I replied, reaching for her hand. “Got one more surprise.”

As we stepped out the limo again, the soft glow of the dock lights shimmered across the water. Moored at the edge was a sleek white yacht—polished, powerful, waiting. Its name, Serenity, gleamed in silver script across the hull.

“Bo…” Olivia whispered, her heels clicking against the wooden planks of the dock as we approached. “You rented a damn yacht?”

I smirked. “Yes.”

“O.M.G! I can’t wait to take pictures and send them to Lexi and Denim! This is so dope!” She was excited and tap running to the oversized boat.

The crew welcomed us aboard before discreetly disappearing, leaving us alone under the stars. The yacht’s upper deck was softly lit, champagne on ice waiting, along with fresh fruit. The gentle sound of water lapping against the boat filling the air.

We kicked off our shoes and wandered barefoot to the deck’s edge, the city skyline painting the perfect backdrop. Olivia leaned into me, her arms wrapped around my waist as her head rested on my chest.

“This is unreal…” she murmured. “No one has ever done anything like this for me.”

I kissed the top of her head. “You deserve it—all of it.”

She looked up at me, eyes glowing with something deeper than just gratitude. “So do you, Bo… especially after what happened at the party.”