“The Wests aren’t the only people with connections, honey. It might take me some time, but I’m gonna get it.”
I took a long sip of my coffee. “Do we tell Alayah?”
“Well, she asked me to let it go, so technically, I’m not operating as her lawyer right now. Once I get everything I need, I’ll present it to her. I need your help, Killian. You can work off the books, but I need you behind the scenes. Somebody has to help me put this whole thing together. I want her conviction overturned and her off parole. She deserves to be completely free.”
“Whatever you need, I got you.”
“Alright, lover boy.”
I tried to hide my grin. “Whatever.”
“Don’t deny it. You’ve had this glow to you since she moved in. I love to see it. You just keep her happy, and we won’t have any problems. I want to see my girl flourish.”
“So do I. My goal with Alayah is to keep her happy.”
“Good. Because I like you and all, but if you break her heart after all this, we will have beef forever.”
I chuckled. “I don’t want any smoke.”
“I’m glad we’re on the same page. Now, I hope you have your thinking cap on because we have a lot of work to do.”
I took another long sip of my coffee and placed it on the desk. “Let’s get to it.”
It was Saturday, and Alayah and I were headed to the Eastons so she could spend time with her sisters. We’d stopped to get the battery for Adrienne’s car before making our way over. They all decided that they wanted to get out of the house. Of all things, the girls decided that they wanted to go to an indoor zip-lining and obstacle course spot downtown. I bought the tickets last night, and even though I wasn’t the biggest fan of flying across a rope suspended in the air, I would indulge to make them happy.
Later, Kadeem, his family, my sister, brother in-law, niece, and my parents were coming over to the house to grill and eat. I’d invited the Eastons to come along as well. I figured it would be good to get everybody together so they could start getting used to one another. Letting Alayah go wasn’t in the cards. She had very little family, and I wanted my family to become hers, too.
We pulled up to the house around ten, and the girls came out with smiles on their faces. I could tell they were wearing makeup because the bruises on their faces weren’t there. They climbed in the backseat and reached over to hug their sister before buckling themselves in.
“Don’t you two look happy,” I said as I pulled onto the street.
“Well, you’d be happy, too, if you didn’t have to look at this ugly bruise today,” Adrienne said. “Aunt Penny did a great job covering it up.”
“Bruises and all, you’re both still as pretty as you’ve always been,” Alayah said. “It’s nice to see you without it though. Y’all ready for this zip line and obstacle course?”
Miyah nodded. “Are you gonna participate, Mr. Lake?”
“Please, call me Killian. And yes, against my better judgment, I’m gonna get up there.”
“Don’t tell me you’re afraid of heights,” Adrienne said. “A big man like you?”
I chuckled. “I feel safer on the ground.”
“Don’t worry. I’m sure my sister will nurse you back to health if you fall. I mean, aren’t girlfriends supposed to take care of their boyfriends?”
Alayah rolled her eyes. “I see what you did there. Mind your business.”
“Come on, Layah. You have to give us something. I need to know if Mr. Lawyer Man here is as good a boyfriend as he is a friend.” She tapped my shoulder. “You better treat my sister like a queen. She’s been through enough.”
“I hear you, Adrienne,” I answered. “I assure both of you that Alayah is safe and well taken care of with me. I love your sister very much.”
The two of them squealed in delight while Alayah stared at me with wide eyes. I didn’t mean to say that out loud, but once the words left my mouth, I felt like a weight had been lifted from my shoulders. I loved Alayah Chambers. I think I’d always loved her. I just never got the chance to love her out loud. Now that I had the opportunity, it was all gas, no brakes.
Alayah sat quietly for the duration of the ride while her sisters chattered away in the backseat. I could tell she was still processing what I’d said. I didn’t need her to say it back—I just needed her to know.
When we pulled into the parking lot of Urban Indoor Adventures, the girls filed out of the car. Alayah sat there for a moment before turning to me.
“You love me, Killian?” she asked, barely above a whisper.
