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“You controlling my life now, War? Because that’s not part of the deal.” Neece stood in the doorway, arms locked defiantly across her chest. War paused briefly at the driver’s side door. “Anything that concerns JoJo is of relevance to me. If I see it as a problem, I’ll shut it down. Make sure it’s not a problem, Neece. That’s all I ask.”
He didn’t give her a chance to argue or respond. A few minutes later, War backed out of her driveway, hopeful she was smart enough to make the right decisions about not just her life but JoJo’s as well. If not, War would make the decision for her.
“Excuse me, beautiful, I was wondering if I could get your help with something.” Cali lifted her eyes from the box of books she was unpacking, peered over the counter, and offered a reserved smile to the man standing not far from the entrance. Upon having her attention he began moving in her direction.
“Sure.” Cali’s palms brushed imaginary dirt from her jeans as she stepped around the counter to assist the customer. He was dressed casually in jeans and a hoodie with a fleece jacket covering it. His brown skin was rich and contrasted the shiny black beard covering the lower half of his face. Cali thought he was handsome but she wasn’t interested in his looks. “You need help finding a book? If you give me the title…”
“Nah…” He squinted as he moved his eyes over the length of her body. Cali didn’t like the attention but she kept a polite smile on her face. “Truthfully, I don’t read. I mean shit, I can and I have. Don’t take that the wrong way…”
Cali arched a brow as he stumbled over his words.
“What I mean is I hadn’t planned on buying a book. I was passing by and saw you in here. I just wanted to step in and introduce myself, maybe get a name and number. Hell, give you mine if you’re not willing to share yours just yet and if I need to buy a book to make that happen I’m wit’ that too.”
He flashed a smile, exposing pretty teeth and a dimple. Cali’s guarded expression relaxed a little more. “What’s your name?”
“Jay.”
“So Jay, you’re willing to spend all your money in here just to get my name and number?”
“Yeah, I would do that because I feel like you’re worth it.”
“I am…” Cali shrugged. “But unfortunately that’s not what I’m on right now.”
She turned to walk away and he followed, catching her arm. Cali’s eyes lowered then found his face again. However, he didn’t let her go. “What are you on then, beautiful? Because whatever it is, I’m down.”
“Ay muthafucker, be safe with your life.” Jay turned to find War standing near the door. He was too caught up in his pursuit of Cali to hear when a chime signaled they were no longer alone.
Be safe with your life.
Cali repeated the words in her head. She understood the threat and gently tugged her arm away from Jay and hoped he too had clarity about what was happening. Not once had Cali experienced War in the height of an altercation but she knew what he was capable of. She felt the danger he held radiating from his frame, deeply immersed in his persona. What she needed clarity on was whether or not Jay was aware enough to tap into that as well.
“I’m always safe with my life, fam.” Cali sucked in a breath as she watched Jay place a hand at his waist. He was likely hiding a gun beneath his clothing. She was aware War kept one on his person as well and horrible thoughts of how this might play out raced through her mind.
War’s first reaction was a smirk that darkened his features as he moved around Jay and approached Cali. His goal was to put space between them just in case the man desperate for her attention wasn’t a smart man. He had yet to bow out gracefully so War took that to mean he had no clue of the trouble he was placing himself in and War wouldn’t tell him. He didn’t need his reputation to handle someone. He was more than capable of doing that on his own.
“Cali, love. You want to introduce me to your friend.” War kept his eyes on the man, watching his reaction. The defiance that flashed in his eyes gave War the answers he was seeking. This muthafucker was trying to get to know a woman who was off limits.
“He’s not my friend. Just a customer who was leaving because what he wanted isn’t available.” From behind War, Cali delivered a silent plea for Jay to let this go. Whatever he was thinking wasn’t going to end well.
“A smart man knows when to cut his losses and walk the fuck away.” War’s warning was clear. Cali held her breath waiting while Jay weighed his options. She could see him toying with the idea of trying his luck and she exhaled a short breath when he adjusted his stance.
“Let me go mind my business.”
Jay paid Cali one last look before he turned to leave the bookstore. Cali kept her eyes on War’s back because he didn’t bless her with his face again until Jay was completely out of the store.
When his attention was on her, she took in the hard look on his face which contrasted his cool demeanor. He hadn’t broken a sweat or disrupted his normally chill persona. The only sign that he was bothered was the tension in his jaw and the hardness of his stare.
“I thought you were selling books.”
“I am.” She angled her head and her posture stiffened defensively. She sensed the hidden question in his statement.
What the fuck was he doing in your face?
“Looks to me like his attention was on you, not anything you’re selling in here.”
“And if it was, then what?”
Cali knew the answer to her question. She and War had a thing. That thing wasn’t defined but it existed.
