Asako watched the devil himself walk away, regretting the fact that she ever met him. Patterson drove away plotting how he planned on using her to get what he needed. This time, his goal was to come out on the positive side, he just had to figure out what would be required to make it happen.
“I’m aboutto purchase a few properties.”
Vega stood in his brother's kitchen, watching his wife Paris cater to him. He wasn’t sure why, but the visual made him think about Nyelle. He hadn’t seen her in a few days, and even though they talked, it wasn’t the same as spending time. He wanted more but understood that with work and her son, it wasn’t as easy as it would be with most women he dealt with in the past. Vega could handle it, he just had to figure out how to make it work. The good thing was Vega had his own shit keeping him busy, so he didn’t have time to overthink or dwell on not being able to see Nyelle, but he did miss her. The past few nights he had to fight the urge to just pop up on her for a chance to taste her again.
“Commercial or residential?” Ace looked up after his wife placed a plate down in front of him. He offered her a nod of appreciation then caught her hand, pressing a kiss inside her wrist, which made Paris’ cheeks warm into a blush as she gazed at her husband.
“Commercial. I might pick up a few residential spots I can rent out too. I just haven’t looked into it yet.”
“You want something to eat, Vega?” Paris smiled softly at her brother-in-law. She loved him like he was just as much her baby brother as he was her husband’s. After twenty-three years of being with Ace, she damn near helped raise Vega. They both suffered a blow when he got locked up. Vega was the energy of the family. As much as she loved her husband, he was all business most days. Vega balanced that for him, and while he was locked up, she noticed Ace took on the stress of doing thetime with his brother. She hated what it did to them both, but Vega was home now.
“Nah, I’m heading out in a few. Just checking in with the warden.” Ace snorted out a short laugh while Vega winked at Paris who rolled her eyes, understanding the dynamic between her husband and his brother. She defended them both at times, pending the situation, but most times let them deal with their issues.
“We need to do a family dinner soon. It’s been a while.” Paris was excited about the possibility and already mentally planning.
“Three years kind of a while,” Vega added, causing Paris to send a frown his way.
“Well that’s done so I’m planning a family dinner soon. I’ll let you know when and no random women, Vega,” she warned, prompting him to offer up a charming smile. The same one that belonged to her husband. That smile was a huge determining factor in why she loved Ace so much. He had a way of bending her will in his favor with just a smile. Vega owned the same powers, but his smile had a different effect on Paris. She bent to his will just as easily but like any big sister who loved her family would do.
“I don’t have random women, sis.”
“Since when?” Ace cut in.
“Since now. I’m trying something different. Maybe I want what y’all have.”
Ace snorted out another laugh before lifting a forkful of macaroni to his mouth.Knowing Paris, it was made from scratch this morning. With the money Ace had, he provided three chefs, but Paris was simple and loved to cook, especially for family, and her man was at the top of that list.
“You want marriage?”
“Yeah, you made that shit work. Y’all make it look easy.”
“It’s not,” Paris threw out quickly, cutting her eyes at her husband.
He loved her, but his lifestyle brought heartache. It had been years, but the indiscretions were still a sore spot. Paris stuck it out, like any woman in love would do, and now they were in a good place. Paris just prayed they stayed there.
Ace cut his eyes at his wife, prepared for battle, but they softened quickly when he realized he had no fight.I have to own my shit. Ace had hurt his wife and wouldn’t dare pretend like he hadn’t. Instead, he addressed his brother.
“It’s work, Vega. Work I don’t think you’re prepared to do.”
“We’ll see about that. I met someone. She’s pretty dope. I can see something real with her.”
“You have bigger priorities than a woman right now, Vega.” Ace’s tone was that of the father figure he deemed himself to be to his little brother.
Their father had done a decent job with Ace, but with Vega, he had no say. It was like he didn’t care one way or another. He loved his son but wasn’t interested in raising him. The same way he handed over his drug empire, he handed over his parental responsibilities with it. It was part of the reason Vega was so wild. During Vega’s younger years, Ace spent most of his time making money. Ace did what he could, but Vega was on his own a lot. It wasn’t always the best.
“I’m a grown ass man who knows how to handle whatever the fuck I choose to handle.” Vega’s tone was sharp, and when Ace lifted his eyes to his brother, he decided not to challenge him. He was prepared to let Vega be a man as long as he took the role seriously.
“Indeed, you are. With these properties, you need help with anything?”
“Nah, I got it. If I do, I’ll let you know. I also told Dix I’m back on post.”
Ace lifted his eyes to his wife, who was at the sink. She could feel him, and when they connected, she smiled and nodded. Ace didn’t talk business around her. It was a precaution, one he took extremely serious in order to protect them both.
When Ace was sure she was out of earshot, he responded. “They’re gonna be watching you. Maybe give it some time.”
“Fuck time. Patterson was on some bullshit. I learned my lesson. As long as I don’t physically touch anything, I’m covered. Dix knows the drill. If you’re gonna let me run shit, then let me do it my way.”
Ace lifted the fork to his mouth again, but this time it was loaded with a piece of baked chicken. He eyed his brother for a minute before he responded.
