“I get it. I was defensive because… it’s hard to think about or talk about. Not every day do you come back from no shit like this. All those girls there… some of them had been there for longer than I was. Months, years. Mira kept them high if they got too high strung or fought back. I learned early, and one of them… Angel, she told me how to stay on Mira’s good side. She was one of her money makers too.”
Kong’s nostrils flared thinking about Mira’s bitch ass and all the harm she’d caused these young women and girls. Some of them would never be the same. For some, that kind of life would unfortunately be all they knew. A few might bounce back and overcome, but there was always going to be those scars of what they went through.
“If you can’t deal with it, I get it.”
Kong quickly snapped his attention in her direction, and his thick brows furrowed.
“Nah, you don’t get it.” He shook his head. “I love you.”
Those words startled her, causing a gasp to slip through her lips as he slid an arm around her waist and pulled her close.
“None of what you went through was your fault. I don’t like none of that shit, but… it’s not like you had much of a choice. I feel like it’s my fault?—”
“Don’t.” Ayla reached up, palm landing on the back of his neck where she gently stroked his head. “I think we should make a promise.”
“What kind of promise?” Kong’s eyes drifted to her lips, then her nipples hardening under her tube top.
“The kind where we’re honest with each other. No matter what. And, where we learn how to keep the past in the past. If it doesn’t affect our present or future, then we leave it where it is.” She shrugged.
Kong bit into his bottom lip and nodded.
“I think I can do that,” he voiced after a little thought.
“Really?” Ayla’s eyes widened, and she hiked her brows.
“I’m willing to do whatever it takes to make sure you’re good, Ayla Jacobs.” He crushed his lips against hers before their tongues swept over one another.
“So, does that mean you’ll come home with me and the kids tonight, too?”
“Hell yeah,” he agreed, right as his phone buzzed in his pocket against his thigh.
He pecked Ayla’s lips again before fishing the device from his pocket. There was a building on the market that had a current bidding war going on over it. Kong planned to use it to his advantage.
“Good news?” Ayla caught the smile toying with his lips.
“Something like that,” Kong replied.
“Ayla, if you don’t bring your reclusive ass over here!” Inari yelled at her sister.
“Come on.” Kong grabbed her hand and stood.
“I’m kind of hungry.” She turned her nose up when they arrived at the table.
“Me too. Let’s go get something to eat.” Coast handed Iara back to Mozzi, and she and Ayla stepped away.
“Bring me back a brat and some potato salad!” Inari shouted after them as she brought the blunt Moose handed her to her lips and took a puff.
“The fuck them bitches doing here?” Moose nodded to the door as Nay and Pheobe materialized.
Nobody could say they weren’t some bad bitches. With all the work Phoebe had done, she looked like Nay’s sister. Kong blew out a harsh breath and swallowed the last of his beer while shaking his head.
“I don’t know, but I’m about to start recording.” Mozzi picked up his phone and went right to the camera. “Look, Des on they ass!” He chuckled, watching his grandmother march right over to the mother/daughter pair. “Hold her. I’ll be back.” Mozzi hopped up, setting Rara in Kong’s lap.
The minute she saw her daddy walking off, she started pulling at Kong’s tank top, trying to climb into a standing position.
“Dada!”
“He know damn well he can’t leave her with nobody when he within ten feet.” Kong wrestled with his niece as she grunted in his arms.
