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“And since when have I told you no, Lenny?” Peter says, walking up and looking like the billionaire he is. But he wears his wealth so understated that unless you know what to look for, you would think he was just a regular guy, not the owner of one of the most successful and prosperous groups of resorts and hotels in the world.
“You’ve said no once or twice,” Lennox says, melting into her husband’s side.
“Oh my,” I hear Parker say lowly, and I frown down at her.
“Yeah, we know, we all have that reaction to Big Daddy Pete,” T’Aundrea says. “And I’m married to a woman.”
“Isn’t the graduation ceremony on the inside?” Atlas says, walking up.
“Oh damn,” Parker says, taking a step back when Atlas walks up.
“Watch it,” True warns, “I take shit about him very personally.” She threatens Parker, but before I can say anything, Parker does.
“As you should, but don’t act like the big ass mean-looking mountain of a man is not intimidating. Hell, my mouth was talking, and my feet were moving without me having to think a damn thing; that was all fight or flight.” Parker says, still eyeing Atlas, and I have to chuckle because I think we forget how intimidating he is because he’s our brother.
“I can understand that,” True says, looking up at Atlas and smiling. The love these two have for each other is out there for all the world to see.
“Damn, I should have brought a fan to protect me from the heat of that stare,” Parker says as we watch the smile Atlas and True share morph into a heated, longing gaze.
“And on that note can we get inside before they begin stripping each other and making good on that gaze for all and sundry to witness,” Joseph asks.
“Please,” Josh says, and we all file into the building.
“The pictures of your brothers do not do them justice. It is not fair that one family has this much fineness in it,” she says, trying to gawk at my brothers without them or their women noticing. “And there are no pictures of Atlas. I wondered why but now I know. I understand and don’t understand all at the same time. Scar or not, that man is gorgeous.”
“Watch it, baby,” I warn.
“None of them would make me want to spend ten thousand dollars just to have dinner with them. An amazing dinner for sure, but it was just dinner.”
She has a point, I guess, but still. “I need you to keep the admiration of my brothers’ looks to a minimum, okay?”
“Yes, sir,” she says as we take our seats.
Eight
Parker
I recognized the head sister as soon as she opened her mouth. Savannah, the wife of the eldest brother Joshua let me know who she was when she politely told me to call her Savanah, not Savvy. I wasn’t even mad at her, game recognizes game, or in this case, a boss recognizes another boss. As a matter of fact, all of the sisters scream boss, and the one married to Atlas, True? She is just on the same line of crazy, and it won’t take much to tip her over the line. But these women seem like amazing women who really love each other and have each other’s backs. Once we sat down, a few more people joined us. The Gideon crew is huge, and I am trying to find out how I can be a part of it. Also, do they have any ugly people they know? It’s ridiculous.
These brothers are up to something, and I hope Brooklyn, who I haven’t met yet, is ready for it. They all made sure to sit at the end, and they kept going into a huddle; then it happened after about two hours of unnecessary talking except for Brooklyn’s speech as Summa Cum Laude, the highest academic honor that can be given she had so many cords and stoles it was almost comical but proved how hard she worked and how extraordinary she is, it was time for them to walk the stage.
When they see Brooklyn line up to walk across the stage, the brothers step out into the aisle in two rows with the brother Joseph in front of them all. I notice the huge bouquet of flowers and the gift bag Aryan placed on the chair he vacated. I can’t wait until we are alone so I can ask what that argument out front was all about.
“Brooklyn Dior Maxwell,” the university president announces, and I almost jump out of my seat when Jaasiel and his brothers begin a Haka, with Joseph leading the ceremonial dance. The entire crowd goes silent, witnessing this powerful moment. I do not understand the words, but I understand the intent. I can feel the emotions their chanting, hand movements, facial expressions, and stomping are creating. Brooklyn practically snatches her diploma and runs off the stage, reaching them just as they are ending, running into Joseph’s arms with tears running down her face, and applause explodes, filling up the entire venue. It was, without a doubt, the sweetest, most powerful, emotional show of love I have ever witnessed.
“I love you, New York, for everything you did for me to literally get me back on my feet. I could not have done it without you. You are already an amazing doctor. Congratulations,” Joseph says as he holds her to him. She is so choked up that she cannot even respond. I look over at his wife and realize everyone is in tears, and I know I am missing the story.
“I love you too, Josey. The only thing I did was support you; you did all the hard work yourself. I have to go back to my seat. I will see you all after the ceremony.”
“That nickname was supposed to be between us!” he tells her. She stretches on her tiptoes and kisses his cheek laughing as she turns to go back to her seat.
Seeing her up close, she is beautiful, and all the tattoos, piercings, and brush-cut hairstyle with its peach coloring only enhance her beauty, but when she turned around, and I saw all that ass she has hanging off her back had me questioning my sexuality for a minute. She is the full package, and I wonder if she knows it. As much as I am enjoying this time with Jaasiel and his family, I have so much to ask, and I dare not do it in front of his family. I also noticed that while she spoke to all the brothers and her focus was on Joseph, she did not spare Aryan a glance. I would say that I am reaching, but my business did not get where it is without me being able to read people and situations. And he is in love, and she is fed up. This is going to be interesting.
Jaasiel
The after-party is in full swing, and we are all having a great time. The entire Gideon crew is here, plus a few of her friends from medical school, but there is no one here from her life in Alabama, not even family. But that is okay because we are her family now. Once Parker and I were in the car leaving the graduation venue, the questions began. On the one hand, I want to tell her what is going on, but on the other, she has kept her life and job pretty vague when I ask questions.
“So, are they or aren’t they together?" she asks, practically bouncing in her seat.
