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“She asked why I hadn’t spoken to her all night.”
“And your answer was?”
“Because I wasn’t confused about the nature of our relationship but apparently she was.”
“Damn, we were this close to you surviving the night without my sister having to be worried about women here being bothered by her being with you.”
War kept his eyes on Cali but responded to Conner. “There are a lot of women who are bothered with Cali behind me but not one your sister will have to be bothered with because of me. I’m grown as fuck and giving attention to the one person who deserves it. I don’t care who has a problem with that and your sister shouldn’t either.”
Like always, War’s confidence was loud. So was the certainty in his words. Cali glanced across the building where she found that same woman glaring at not just War but her as well.
“I’ve learned my lesson about not asking questions. So for my clarification, I’m going to ask. Is she a problem?”
“No.” His confidence didn’t waver, so Cali accepted his answer.
“We can go.”
This time when he attempted to pull Cali into his side, she filled the spot that now belonged to her and wouldn’t belong to anyone else as far as War was concerned. Not even part-time. When he stated he was grown, he meant in all aspects of his life. A rotation of women wasn’t something he needed or desired. Cali would never have to worry. She was enough and as long as she kept doing what she was doing, she would always be enough.
As soon as they were settled in the car, Conner sank into the comfort of his leather seats and curled into herself, yawning before she grinned at War and her sister. He had his hand on her thigh and she had her legs crossed, leaning into his touch.
“When I grow up , I want to be just like you. All hopelessly in love.” Cali glanced in the rear view and shot Conner a bird but the soft smile on her face was telling of how she didn’t disagree. War chuckled and navigated them from the parking lot while Conner grinned and closed her eyes, happy her sister was finally with the right one.
FOURTEEN
The next afternoon, War pulled up at the daycare center just in time to catch Kirsten stepping out the front door. She glanced around the parking lot and noticed a familiar vehicle waiting but her eyes locked on her brother as War pulled into the spot right next to the car he remembered being parked outside his sister’s condo.
He noticed the displeasure twist on her face and laughed harshly, knowing his sister wasn’t pleased to see him, which had everything to do with the man in the vehicle next to War’s. He got out of his truck and ignored his sister when she spoke from the sidewalk.
“Don’t start no shit, Wardell. I told you Raleigh isn’t mixed up in any of the stuff you’re trying to put on him.
“Stay your ass over there. I need to holla at him for a minute.”
“Absolutely not, I don’t trust you.” She was still heading his way until War delivered a heated stare which halted her movements. Kirsten knew her brother and would only push him so far.
“But you trust him?”
“If you shoot him in this parking lot the cops will be the least of your worries. Your mother is going to fucking murder you for disrupting her business.”
“My business, Kirs. I own this shit or did you forget?” He frowned at his sister and pounded his fist on the driver’s window of the car he found his way to and added, “And if he’s not into anything, why the fuck would I need to shoot him?”
War cut his eyes at Kirsten then lowered them to the person he needed a word with. “Get the fuck out the car.”
Stepping back to give him space, War waited for Raleigh to exit the vehicle. He was grateful he didn’t have to drag him out or that wouldn’t have sat well with him.
“Why you fuckin’ with my sister?”
Raleigh’s eyes bounced over to Kirsten which was the wrong move. War shoved him in the chest so hard his back hit the side of his car. “She doesn’t have the answers I need. You do. Why are you fucking with my sister?” War’s large solid stature was intimidating but Raleigh refused to cower. At least not completely. He knew all about War Gerrad and though he had the backing of his family, he truly liked Kirsten and didn’t want their families’ past to get in the way of what he was trying to build.
“This isn’t about my family.”
War arched a brow and leaned in close to Raleigh’s face. “If it’s not, then why the fuck is that the first thing out your mouth?”
Raleigh’s eyes darted over to Kirsten again but he quickly directed them back to the man interrogating him at the moment. “I know that’s what you’re thinking.”
“Why the fuck wouldn’t I?”
Raleigh swallowed hard and straightened his posture. “I’m not into any of the shit my family is. I own a shoe store. I have never sold drugs or guns and I have never killed anybody.”
