“Shit, gotta keep up with your fine ass,” he told her, eyes dancing around hers. Luna slipped in behind them, and set her sights on Finn. He pulled her into his arms and hooked them around her waist.
“You know what? Y’all did this shit.” Finn nodded and checked out his surroundings. “This shit is dope.”
“Thank you, baby. Let me give you the official tour. I know you have seen the process, but this is the finished product.” Luna grabbed his big hand and pulled him away from their friends.
“So how was your day?” Minx queried, snuggling up to Rose.
His hand cupped the side of her face, and he lovingly brought her closer to him.
“Better now that I’m with you,” he answered, watching a grin stretch across her face. “You did good here, Minx.”
“Luna is the brains?—”
“You are behind the scenes. Nobody knows the work you put in. But your brain power definitely went into this. I can just tell.”
“I’m so glad that you’re here. I was worried.”
“Minx, you ain’t got shit to worry about, ever,” Rose assured her.
“I have taken a lot of loss, Ambrose.” When she said his full name with that half smile, his hand fell gently around her neck.
She knew he hated to be called that, but he would let her get it off every now and then.
“I can’t take losing you.”
“And you won’t ever have to think of that,” he insisted.
Minx sloped forward, kissing him gently as their event grew by the minute.
“Max would be the first one to tell you how proud he is of you and Luna. Y’all have come a long way.” He saw the saddened glare behind her eyes, and Minx sniffled to avoid the tears threatening to fall.
All day long, she’d been thinking about him and how he would react. She wished like hell he was here to see what they’d done. He always joked that she and Luna were like Thelma and Louise.
“Aye, you good?” Rose checked with her.
“I am… more than good. Mama’s here. I’m gonna go say hi to her and Jonah.” Minx pulled away from him and went to greet her mother and uncle.
Rose wandered to the back counter where the alcohol was being served. He needed more than some damn champagne. Locating the bottle of white Hennessy, he reached for a shot glass and poured himself a double. A few minutes passed, and Minx made her way back to him. Rose remained behind it like he was a bartender or something.
“Rose, this is Gerardo Martinez,” Minx introduced them.
Lifting his eyes after pouring himself a shot, Rose froze. He locked eyes with the leader of the Martinez cartel in Miami. Clearing his throat, he sipped from his glass and squinted at the large man in front of him.
“Oh, Rose is very familiar with me, aren’t you, my friend?” Gerardo asked, a knowing grin filling his cheeks.
With a firm grip on his glass, Rose nodded.
“So what brings you around these parts? You are kind of far from home.”
Minx was confused by the conversation. Rose didn’t seem particularly happy to see the man, and vice versa. Had she made a mistake? Was he the enemy?
“Do you mind if we have a moment?” Gerardo turned to Minx.
She looked to Rose for answers, and when he nodded, Minx knew what was up.
“Yeah, enjoy your night. There is an open bar,” she informed him as she pulled away from the counter.
Once she was gone, Rose caught Gerardo zoned out while watching her walk away.
