“No doubt,” Slice agreed, holding his hand out.
For a second, I glanced at it, then brought my eyes back to his. I grabbed his hand and locked him in for a firm shake.
“I gotta dip. I’ll see you soon, Kara. And I love you.”
“I know.” She smiled and I kept it pushing down the hall to the elevator.
Slice remained behind, and I observed them at the door together. I had to remind myself that she was grown. And honestly, I knew I didn’t have to worry about her with Slice. He was solid, and I had him on the team long before I stepped into my role. I trusted him, just like I trusted Deviance. It reminded me I had to check in on him again. He had risked his life for Harbor and Ivy, and in turn, I made sure all of his medical bills were paid and sent him a bonus.
I wanted him to take his time recovering though because I wanted him back at his full strength. Things were beginning to align, but I had a few other loose ends to tie up. I gave my driver directions on where to take me. About twenty minutes later, we were outside of the Four Seasons. It seemed like I sat there forever staring up at that building. My fucking emotions were all over the place. I had things I wanted to say to her, but right now, I was drawing a blank.
I finally got out of the car. Stopping at the front desk, I paused and decided to check with the clerk out of courtesy than showing up on her doorstep. The older gentleman greeted me with a nod.
“How can I assist you, sir?”
“I am here to visit someone. Is Celine Armon here? Room 215?”
“She is. Should I let her know you are here?” He reached for the desk phone,
“No, thanks. I want to surprise her.” I grew increasingly nervous as the elevator carried me to the penthouse floor.
Once I got off, I took slow strides toward the door to her suite. Raising my hand, I tapped and waited with my head bowed.
“Coming!” she shouted, right before she pulled the door open.
The weight of her sullen stare pierced me. Her lips parted partially, and she seemed lost for words. She was dressed down in a three-piece top with pants and a long cardigan draped over it. Comfortable. She never had to do too much to stand out. Celine was a beautiful woman, and she was my mother. Seeing her now cemented that somehow in a way that it hadn’t months ago. I was angry, and rightfully so. I’d had time to let the anger simmer, but looking at her now did bring about a harsh reality.
“Quency,” she finally said with a shallow breath. “I thought you were the cleaning service. What are you doing here?”
“You got time to talk?”
“For you? Of course.” She stepped to the side, and I moved past her into her domain.
I wasn’t sure what to do. She hovered behind the sectional sofa and I stood in the room and faced her.
“How are you?” I asked, raising my brows.
“I’m okay. Doing a lot of reflecting.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “I didn’t expect you to just show up here. Is something wrong?”
“Been doing some reflecting myself,” I responded, swiping my mustache.
Glancing over my shoulder at the bar, a nigga felt like some liquid courage right about now. I had murked some of the most-dangerous, sadistic ass men and women in the world, and here I couldn’t relay myself to the woman that birthed me what was on my mind.
“Is it okay if I get a drink?” I asked, and she nodded.
“How is Harbor and Ivy? I miss them… and you,” she declared, rounding the sofa and lowering herself to sit down.
I reached for the brown, knowing it was Hennessy, and poured myself a glass. Taking a sip, I kept my back to her.
“They’re good,” I said, facing her. “Ivy is doing very well in school. Harbor just gave birth… to twins… a few weeks ago actually,” I revealed, flooring her.
“Twins! My goodness!” She gasped and then smiled. “It doesn’t feel like I’ve been gone that long.”
“They are three weeks old. Maze Armon and Misa Halo, a boy and girl.”
Her eyes misted at the mention of their names. My son carried her name as his middle name, and pride beamed in her eyes. I wasn’t completely heartless. Misa carried Halo as a tribute to Harbor’s mother, and she was a feisty little angel. I loved them both so much.
“Wow, twins,” she said with a sigh. “Congratulations.”
