“What you think?” she quipped.
“I think you need to give me a chance to make it up to you.”
“The only thing I want in this world, I can’t have back, Morgan.” Her voice cracked, and his face shifted somberly.
“I know. I hate I missed the funeral, but I been making sure to keep fresh flowers on her grave. Every time I sent them for Jane, I made sure Ayla got some too.”
Inari sniffled and blinked away the tears threatening to fall. She hadn’t even been able to visit her sister. She felt robbed, and right now, she still had beef with God for taking her. She was using work and dieting as a distraction, along with her daily routine at the gym to tighten up. So far, she was happy with herprogress, but it did nothing to fill that hole in her heart or stop the thoughts that filled her mind when she gave it time.
“I appreciate that. But… I can’t do this. Not with you.”
“Not now? Or not ever?” Moose checked with her.
“I don’t know.” Inari stepped back, inching toward the door but still facing him. “Coast, I’ll talk to you later.”
Coast waved, and Inari was gone. Moose stared after her, heart slightly cracked. He tossed his tank top over his shoulder and faced his brothers and Coast. Empathy crowded her face when he moved into the living room and dropped on the couch.
“How she doing?” he asked.
“She’s got her days.” Coast nodded and rested her head against the sofa cushions. “But she’s pushing through.”
He dragged his hand down his face, fingering his beard a bit before shaking his head and leaning forward.
“I didn’t even get to tell her my news.” Moose clasped his hands together.
“What news?” Kong peered at him over his shoulder.
“About Tiara.” Moose sighed.
Somehow, all these months, he’d managed to keep the information to himself, but he’d been itching to tell his brothers and Audiemar. He had her cup sent to a private lab for DNA testing. The results came in a few weeks later, and there was no doubt that Tiara was his. He was pretty sure Tulla knew too, and if her husband didn’t before, he more than likely suspected now.
Moose had no knowledge of this the night he was arrested. Tulla didn’t bother coming in to speak with him either. Christian, on the other hand, did pay him a visit. He thought he would be able to intimidate Moose with jailtime, but his lawyer got him down to probation, a fine, and mandatory rehab instead.
“My daughter,” Moose declared.
Mozzi nearly choked when he tried to swallow the chicken and rice. Little bits even went flying out of his mouth and across the counter onto Kong.
“Nigga, the fu—” He brushed some of it off his sleeve.
“My bad.” Mozzi went to the fridge to grab a bottle of water. “Did this nigga say daughter, though?”
“Tulla had a baby. She’s eight years old,” Moose broke down.
“Who the hell is Tulla?” Coast frowned.
“This old bitch he used to crack,” Mozzi said, swallowing his water and moseying around the counter over to the couch.
His wife was looking naturally beautiful, and he realized he hadn’t gotten a chance to kiss her since coming through the door. Migrating to her in any room was just second nature to him. His happiness was wrapped up in her and making sure she was good. Pausing behind the couch, he watched Coast throw her head back to look at him upside down.
“She ain’t that fucking old.” Moose sucked his teeth.
“She older than yo’ ass. And was way too damn old to be fucking on you at eighteen.” Mozzi knelt so he could kiss his wife.
He gave her neck a kiss before nuzzling her and inhaling her body wash and cashmere body butter. His arms lowered to her sides, and he gave one of her breasts a gentle squeeze before pecking her neck again.
“Where my baby?” he asked, looking around.
The little sudden cries from the playpen shifted his attention immediately, and on cue, Rara rolled onto her little side. She played that lazy shit all day with Coast, but the minute Mozzi was around, she got active. Her little whimpers were all he needed to take off in her direction. Kong joined them in the living room, standing in the open space a few steps from the counter.
