Page 24

“I don’t want to hear shit!” I roared, cutting her off.

“When you get home, you better be ready to plan a fuckin’ wedding, and you will do with a smile or so help me God…

I will kill all the women in your family and watch the men suffer before doing the same to them.

Do you want to test that theory? Huh? I didn’t think so!

Bring your ass the fuck back home, Noemi, and if I think you’ve been around a man, I’m going to make your life more of a hell than you think it already is. ”

Hanging up in her face, I pocketed my phone.

Noemi and her smart-ass mouth were going to be the death of her, but not before I made her my wife.

Walking into the kitchen, my mother and sister stood from the table with their heads bowed, waiting for me to take my chair at the head of the table.

Once I was seated and began to eat, they followed suit.

As we began to eat our meal silently, my mind went to Noemi, and how fucking defiant she was.

I couldn’t wait to get her ass back home.

“Um, son…” my mother spoke timidly. “Have you and Noemi settled on a date yet? I have an upcoming trip, and I want to ensure the dates do not conflict.”

As much as I wanted to call bullshit, I didn’t. Eating the smothered chicken, I peeked at her before dragging my eyes to a saddened Star. Feeling my stare, her head shot up, and she straightened her face instantly. Giving my attention back to my mother, I sipped my drink before responding.

“When she returns home from her reception, we will be married immediately.” I nodded my head as I made up my mind. “I don’t care if I have to drag her down the aisle as I put a bullet in her brother’s head… Noemi will be mine, and there’s nothing left to be said about it.

I groaned as I loosened my tie and entered the lobby of the Boudreaux Hotel. “I don’t have time for this shit today.”

After a long day of sitting in the office, the last thing I wanted to do was sit down in a meeting with Rosier and the heads of the other families.

It’d been a few days since I’ve stuck my dick inside of something wet and warm, and I had plans tonight.

I had been calling Angelina for over a week, and something told me she was no longer among the living.

I beat her ass so good when Mimi popped up at my office after she stepped to her.

Soon after, there were whispers that no one could get in contact with her.

My thoughts were that the Boudreaux family got to her.

“Excuse me, can I help you?” I was greeted as soon as I approached the front desk. One thing I will say is Rosier had some fine bitches working for him. What I wouldn’t do to stick my dick in the one right in front of me.

“Hello, gorgeous.” I smiled as I leaned forward onto the counter. Her breasts were peeking through the top of her button-down. “There’s a lot of shit you can help me with. We can discuss it over dinner, if you’d like.”

“Chandler, you don’t believe shit stank, do you?”

Glancing over my shoulder, I locked eyes with Rosier. His hands rested in his slacks pockets, and his face was neutral, but his eyes held nothing but wrath.

“What’s up, brother?” I smirked as I stood to my full height. “I was just making small talk with the pretty lady here.” Turning to face her, I winked. “Isn’t that right, baby?”

Looking between Rosier and me, the desk manager said nothing as she answered the ringing phone. My eyes squinted as I followed her moves.

“Strike two…” I heard a low voice from behind me. “Let’s head to this meeting so you can get the fuck out of my shit.”

Bumping my shoulder, my fists tightened as I spun and watched Rosier head to the elevator that led to his private basement. I shut my eyes tightly before making my way over. Once inside, neither of us said anything until the doors closed.

“You know, I’m about tired of you trying to handle me like I’m not a man.” I turned to face him. It pissed me off that he didn’t have the decency to face me. “You think I’m scared of you, nigga? Keep that shit up, and I’ll have it to where I won’t let your sister have you over once we’re married.”

The elevator dinged, and the only response I got was a yawn. Dragging his eyes to me, he stared for a moment before stepping off. Pulling my Glock from my waist, I placed it at my side. I looked around the room and found all eyes were already on me.

“Once you start acting like a man instead of a bitch, I’ll treat you like one,” Rosier said as he took his seat at the conference table.

"Until then, I’m going to treat you like the hoe-ass nigga you act like.

Sit the fuck down.” He pointed to the seat opposite his.

“And if you ever pull a gun on me, bitch, you better use it.”

“You know… one of these days, I won’t be around to stop you two from killing each other.

” Mr. Laurent sighed as I took a seat beside him at the conference table.

The remaining heads were seated, as well as some of Rosier’s people.

“Hopefully, when this marriage takes place, the bad blood will be no more.” He looked between Rosier and me before he continued, “When is the date, by the way?”

“Noemi and I just recently discussed that it will be finalized when she comes home from her vacation.” I shimmied from my suit jacket as I eyed Rosier. “She’s finally coming to terms with everything and is getting excited about it.”

“Which Noemi are you talking about?” Dre asked as he sat in the corner of the room. “I know you’re not talking about my cousin. She don’t like you, nigga.”

Chuckling, I said nothing as I brought my eyes back to Rosier. He was staring at me, twirling an ink pen between his fingers. I know the last thing he wanted to hear was me talk about marrying his sister, but oh well. I couldn’t help but fuck with him even more.

“Y’all sure about that? The little date I took her on last week said otherwise.” I smirked as I leaned forward. “I can still taste her, and it was the sweetest thing I've ever had.”

His jaw tightened as he continued to twirl the ink pen.

He angled his head to the side and nodded.

“You know, your father sat in that very seat when I stabbed him for talking to me recklessly. He was mad because I discarded your sister in this same pile as the condom I used when I fucked her.” The smirk I was sporting slowly faded.

“Keep playing with me, Chandler, and I can promise you that you won't have to worry about my sister, your sister, or the tension between our families.” He stood from his seat, causing me to do the same. “I will fuckin’ clear your entire bloodline. I’m giving you my sister’s hand in marriage because that’s what my father would do.

Make no mistake—I’m not him, but I can see you’re like your father—a bitch that doesn’t know his place. ”

“Muthafucka—”

“Sit down.” Mr. Laurent grabbed my arm as I rounded the table. “That’s not what we’re here to do today.” He looked over to Rosier, who seemed not to have a care in the world. “You, too, son… have a seat.”

Engaging in a brief stare-off, we both took our respective seats. Everyone looked between both of us, waiting to see what the next man was going to do. A few minutes went by before Rosier decided to speak.

“My apologies for that.” He placed his hand on his chest as he surveyed the men, who nodded their acknowledgment. “Let’s get down to business.” He dragged his eyes over to Mr. Laurent and said, “Let’s start with you. Do you have any questions or concerns? How’s business?”

“Business is well, son.” He smiled and nodded. “You have been doing a phenomenal job taking over these past three years. I’ve been around a long time, and I know your father would be proud of you right now.”

He smirked and nodded. “Thank you, sir.”

I barely stopped myself from rolling my eyes like a bitch. Looking around the table, he asked each of the men the same questions. I frowned as each answer mimicked the previous one. There was no way everyone’s life was fucking perfect now that he was over the Family.

“Gourneau.” Rosier scoffed, causing me to snap my eyes to his. “Do you have any business you’d like to discuss?”

Rubbing my chin, I pondered over if I wanted to strike shit up with this nigga or not. Looking around the room, the numbers weren’t on my side. Deciding to keep my personal feelings out of the matter, I draped my arm over my seat before replying.

“As a matter of fact, there is.” I popped my toothpick into my mouth and nodded. “Why are the tariffs on my shit so high? I mean, ten percent is a bit much, don’t you think?”

Furrowing his brows, he looked at me in confusion. “You think taxing you ten percent when you’re bringing in millions through my vessels is too much?” He chuckled before continuing, “Tell me, Chandler… what do you think is fair?”

“Nothing.” I smirked, standing from the table.

“Once Noemi and I are married, I want that to be part of the stipulations that’s added.

You see… I’ve been doing my own research, Boudreaux.

The bylaws state combined families can only profit from separate businesses.

Once Noemi and I are married, she will be part owner of my legal and illegal businesses.

Therefore, it would be as if you’re taxing your sister. That’s against the rules.”

Seeing the way his face transformed, he knew I was right. Crossing my arms, I felt like I’d just had a major win. The twinkle in his eye should have told me I was wrong.

“While that is true, that’s not happening in this case.

You see, you’ve already signed documents with my sister, which entails to keep things separate for the next five years.

” He smiled. “You remember… when we went to dinner and spoke on her terms of your marriage? All of them were listed, including not combining assets. So, the ten percent stands. Sorry.”

Dismissing me, he continued on with his meeting as if my words meant nothing.

I wanted to blow his head off of his shoulders, but as I glanced over at Andre, he shook his head no.

I knew before I could get a shot off, he would slit my throat.

Sliding back into my seat, I zoned out for the remainder of the meeting.

Once it was over, I stayed behind to have a word with Rosier.

“When your sister gets home, we’re getting married right away,” I reiterated to further push his displeasure. “I was thinking we could get together and plan an engagement party for her. We haven’t done anything to solidify us coming together as families, and I think it would be nice.”

He gave me a hardened look, but I could tell he was thinking it over. It was better to play nice with Rosier for the moment, but I was already thinking of multiple ways to ruin him. His time was coming, but the first thing on the order of destruction was marrying his sister.

“You want to surprise my sister with an engagement party?” He chuckled, patting me on the shoulder as he passed me. “Sure. Let me know the details, and I’m there. If bullets get to flying, you’re on your own.”

Simpering, I said nothing as I stepped onto the elevator. Little did he know, if bullets got to flying, it was him who needed to duck. They were in for a massive shock, and I couldn’t wait to see their faces when their world came crumbling down.