Page 7 of Mia

“You look beautiful tonight,” he said softly.

I don’t know why that warmed my damn heart and made me blush as he walked away from me. In my ear, my mama and DaVinchi were asking a million questions. I could see Emmon in the back, shaking his head. For once, I was happy to see JacQues approaching the table. I quickly slipped into character, putting on my best pained face.

“I do apologize. Something’s come up and I have to leave. I’m sorry, Celeste. I’ll come by this week so we can discuss business.”

I wanted to jump for joy, but I composed myself.

“It’s okay, JacQues. I wasn’t feeling well anyway.”

“I promise I’ll make it up to you.”

I offered him a smile, but didn’t say anything else. He extended his hand to help me up from the seat, then walked me outside with Emmon right behind us. As we waited for our cars to pull up, I checked my phone. There was a message from Titan stating he left me a key at the front desk. I rolled my eyes, knowing that if I didn’t appease him, he would find me.

My car pulled up first, and I was all too happy to get away from JacQues. He opened my door and kissed my cheek as I got in. There were no other words spoken before he closed the door and walked away. I expelled a breath of relief and settled into the seat, mentally preparing myself for this fight.

TWO WEEKS AGO

Istepped out of my car and made my way across the street to the house Mia was staying at. It was damn near one in the morning and I’d just touched down in the city earlier today. The first thing on my mind wasn’t finding somewhere to rest my head. Nah, the first thing I needed to do was see my wife. I tracked her location to find her at this little café.

She sat there, laughing and talking with my mother in-law, looking as beautiful and carefree as ever. My cousins, Elum and Emmon, sat nearby, keeping an eye on them. I wanted to go snatch her up so damn bad, but I contained myself. The last thing I needed was her to know I was here until I wanted her to know. Pulling out my phone, I’d shot Elum a text.

He was the chill cousin. He didn’t do too much and preferred to stay out of other people’s business if it didn’t directly involve him.

Me: I need you to do me a favor tonight.

Elum: What kind of favor?

Me: I need you to let me in the house after Mia goes to sleep.

He frowned.

Elum: Nigga, you here?

Me: Looking right at you.

He’d looked around, trying to spot me before texting back.

Elum: Man, I ain’t trying to be in your shit.

Me: And I ain’t asking you to. Just let me in the house so I can see her. I’ll be in and out. She won’t even know I’m there. And don’t say shit to Emmon’s ass.

He ran his hand down his face.

Elum: Fine. She usually goes down around eleven. Come around one. She should be in a deep sleep by then.

Me: Bet.

Elum: You owe me.

I didn’t care what I owed him as long as he did me a solid. Now here I was, walking up to the front door. Before I reached it, it opened, and there stood my cousin, shaking his head.

“I shouldn’t even be surprised at your ass,” he said, dapping me.

“You shouldn’t.”

“Top of the stairs, second door on the right.”

“’Preciate you.”