She smiled. “That’s what I like to hear. Go on and see what your father wants, then come meet me in the kitchen so I can feed you.”
“Thanks, Ma.”
“You’re welcome, baby.” I kissed her cheek, then headed down the long ass hall to my father’s man cave. I knew he would be in there because that was where he spent most of his time since he’d retired.
When I opened the thick, wooden door, he was lounging on his chaise, watchingAll About the Benjaminsas I walked inside. He looked over at me and held his hand out for me to shake.
“‘Sup, Poppa?”
“Good afternoon, Son. Have a seat.” I took a seat in the chair catty-cornered from him.
“What’s the word?” He muted the television and then gave me his attention.
“You know I don’t ask for much, right?” I gave him a nod. “Then tell me why you’re still living alone and have not spoken with Normani yet.”
I sighed. “I don’t feel that it is necessary to bind our families. Emil has already done that with the King family, and his ass is miserable?—”
“He’s making himself miserable. Just because he’s choosing not to accept his circumstance doesn’t mean you have to.”
“I’m not interested in tying our families, Poppa. It isn’t necessary.” He didn’t speak for a while as he stared at the muted television. I could tell he wasn’t happy about my decision, but since seeing Yumi, Normani wasn’t even in my thoughts, not that she had been anyway.
It wasn’t that Normani wasn’t fine or fuckable, but I just wasn’t with that arranged marriage shit.
“What’s this with your brother and cousin being on trial for murder? When I put you in charge of the family, I made all the accommodations so you could continue to flourish. What are you doing, Son? Then I heard Destin Dunlap isn’t on payroll anymore. What is that shit about?”
“Destin has not been doing his job of keeping us in the loop. There have been several occasions when an outside source had to update me on anything happening in the precinct. Lester Graham had appointed someone better in his place. I already had Amari check him out, and he’s solid. Your son just couldn’t contain his fucking self and put us in this situation, so now I had to hire another defense team to take care of this shit.”
“I admit that was a stupid move on his part, but this should have never gotten this far. Do whatever it takes to get this under control. I don’t want my son or my nephew behind bars. Get it done.” He unmuted the television, indicating that he was done with the conversation. As bad as I wanted to tell him I wanted out of this shit, I knew that wouldn’t be happening anytime soon. But until then, I had more pressing matters to attend to.
It was time to get back everything I lost, and that included the future Yumi Aldana.
Chapter
Three
YUMI
Hushed tones filled the restaurant as I sat across from Liam, dining on Italian and Prosecco. It had been four days since we saw each other, even longer since we were able to go on a date. I couldn’t deny that I had missed him, and tonight, I planned to show him how much.
Liam took my hand and kissed the back of it, and I gave him a subtle smile.
“I missed you,” he said.
“I missed you, too, babe. I feel like we never get to see one another since you took that job with Ashton.”
“I know, but you know I’m trying to buy you that big house you always wanted. I have to take care of my queen.” He kissed my cheek and smiled.
“You know I don’t need all of that, babe. I need you. I can take care of myself.”
“I know you’re independent, Yumi, but it’s a man’s job to take care of his lady, . . . especially if she has good pussy and treats you like a king.”
“Oh my God!” I exclaimed and laughed.
“Even your laugh is sexy. I’m ready to call for the check, take you home, and eat you until you cum.”
“Mmm, I like the sound of that. Four days is far too long for me.”
“Man, tell me about it. Between your schedule and mine, it’s freaking torture.”
