“Are we… friends?” Mille checked with her, and Enika paused, thrown from his question.
“Yeah. What else would we be?” she asked, a cute simper on her face.
“One day, you gon’ be my girl. I’ll let you have that friend stuff for now,” Mille said boldly, making her blush.
Enika’s eyes fell on the ground, and she suddenly felt flushed. Mille reached down, grabbing her hand in his while looking into her eyes.
“Hold your head up when you walk with me, pretty girl.” He nudged her with his shoulder, and she let out the cutest giggle.
For Mille, most days were like he was going with the motions since his father died. Nothing felt the same, not even him. Minx and Rose did what they could and gave him his space to push through things, but he could tell even they were growing a little frustrated with him and his lack of communication recently. He didn’t know what else to do. He was only eleven years old and dealing with a lot. He would be twelve soon, and all he kept thinking about was that his father wasn’t going to be there for it. Yeah, everything was different.
Minx and Lunapulled up to the space for Lunar Events, and Luna parked her brand-new BMW that Finn had copped her last week. She and Minx got out, and Luna popped the trunk so they could retrieve their things. Minx picked up a box with no lid that was filled with party stuff, decorations, etc. Luna had two bags that she carried with her to the sidewalk. A grand opening for their business was tonight so they were there to set everything up. Everyone in town was invited, and both ladies were ecstatic about it. Minx hadn’t had anything to look forward to in what seemed like a very long time. She stood behind Luna, holding the box against her chest while waiting for her to use her key to let them inside. Anxious, she bounced around, and an unsettled feeling hit . With an inkling that she was being watched, shecouldn’t help but look around. Luna got the door open and hit the light switch before they each stepped inside.
Seeing the place now versus when it was first purchased, they could feel the transformation. It was everything. Luna had stages set with different looks and templates for her ideas. The office space was off to the side, and it was all glass. When stepping inside, she could see everything going on around her. Sectioned off, there was a room to meet with clients and then their private workspace. Each of them had a desk with built-in shelves behind them. In just a short amount of time, they’d grown to love it here.
“Can you believe this, Minx? It’s opening night. We are about to be the first event company in town!” For days Luna was ecstatic about everything.
“We are about to turn parties out. From weddings to baby showers and birthday parties. Lunar Events is going to be a household name this time next year. Mark my words.” Minx unloaded items from the box.
Positioned on the opposite side of the counter, Luna did the same thing. When she brought her eyes up, her back stiffened. Minx lifted her head and caught the strained expression on her friend’s face.
“What is it?” Minx queried as the bell to the alarm chimed, letting her know someone entered.
Eirian strolled inside, and the room turned into Antarctica. Minx spun with her defenses high as he approached them. He was a handsome yet dangerous man. It was all in the darkened pools that were his eyes. He peeped their setup, and a slow smile crept over his lips.
“Good afternoon, ladies. This is nice.” Nodding, he rubbed one of his fists into his palm.
“Why are you here?” Minx asked, hand on her hip.
Eirian bit into his bottom lip and looked her over. She was a bad bitch, and he liked that fire behind her eyes. He stood a few feet from her and crossed his arms behind his back. With a casual shrug, he lifted his head and continued to look around, searching for a camera.
“Just thought I would pop in and check out the latest spot opening around here. Kansas City is a cool town. Thinking about extending my stay,” Eirian insinuated.
“Well, unthink it,” Minx conveyed, full of attitude.
Eirian liked that shit. He touched his mustache with his fingers and grinned slyly. He was tired of fucking around. Months passed since his brother and Galena were killed and the taste he had for blood was overwhelming. He needed to hurt something. Minx was the product of Mila. She was his way in.
“Why don’t you let a nigga take you out?” he suggested, and a stunned expression found its way across her face.
“How dare you bring your snake ass in here and talk to me like you didn’t have my father killed?” Minx inched closer to him. “Get the hell out of here!” She aimed her finger at the door, and Eirian looked her dead in her eye.
He saw fire, like a volcano erupting behind her glare. Minx didn’t blink, and before Eirian could react, the door chimed again and in walked her uncle Jonah.
“We got a problem here?” Jonah didn’t miss a beat as he walked right over to their situation and positioned himself between Minx and Eirian.
He made sure that he was facing his opponent. Eirian took a few steps back and checked him from head to toe.
“Nah. The trash was just leaving,” Minx piped up from behind him.
“Good. I would hate to have to move it first,” Jonah responded, chin up.
He reminded Minx so much of her father. Strong, confident, and lethal. It all showed in his darkened glare fixed on Eirian right now. Ward men didn’t back down. If anything, they stood taller in the face of adversity. The challenges in life made them who they were, and they were taught to embrace that. Minx never met her grandfather, but she heard stories about how he ruled with an iron fist and told his boys all the time that they were leaders.
“Jonah, right?” Eirian checked.
“Glad you know the name. Check the fucking receipts. Leave. And stay away from any member of my family that you see. If you plan on sticking around, remember this one thing if nothing else… you play with the Wards… and you won’t win. That’s a guarantee,” Jonah vowed.
“Hmmm,” Eirian replied with a light laugh. “Y’all have a good day. Be careful out there,” he warned before he turned to go.
