Gideon nodded slowly. He didn’t think what Haze said was wrong, but he also wasn’t worried. Trick would turn up eventually, and when he did, the Vicious Kings would be there to handle that shit. Whatever he was or was not planning didn’t bother Gideon any because he knew the niggas that backed him and the weapons they had access to would obliterate Trick and his entire empire.
Standing, Gideon placed a hand on Haze’s shoulder. “Getting riled up ain’t gon’ help this none, bro. We got eyes everywhere for that nigga. He gon’ turn up, and when he do, we gon’ handle the shit. Now, you got all of VK out there waitin’ on ya ass so we can ride. You gon’ keep them waitin’?”
Haze couldn’t help but give a half smirk. Gideon had a way of calming anyone in any situation. It was why they worked so well together. Haze was a hothead who definitely got riled up. Gideon could get like that, too, but it took a lot. Haze knew when Gideon got like that, it was well past warranted.
With a loud sigh, Haze nodded. “Aight, man. Let’s ride out.”
Gideon grinned. He never grew out of his hate for the loud noise of motorcycles, especially when the entire crew was together, but he couldn’t deny his love for riding. Noisecanceling ear plugs helped him deal with the noise, and today would be the first time he had Glimmer on the back of his bike. That thought made him excited in more ways than one. He’d bought her lil sexy ass some official Vicious Kings leathers, and he couldn’t stop looking at her. Even now, he tried getting a glimpse of her out of the cracked door, but that was just him being thirsty. He couldn’t see shit through that tiny ass crack.
Luckily for him, Haze headed for the door, which prompted him to do the same.
“Aye, how’s ya mama?” Gideon asked. As soon as they stepped out of the room, his eyes zeroed in on Glimmer. It was like that ever since she came to the compound. It didn’t matter if she was in a room full of people. He was always able to spot her little ass.
“She’s good, man. She wants you to come by the house to see her soon. You know she don’t like her kids being away for too long. Oh, and she wants you to bring your wife,” Haze said with a laugh before he walked into the crowd.
Gideon’s heart always swelled whenever he was referred to as someone’s kid. Charlene had always taken Gideon in as her own, and he loved her dearly because of it. He knew Mama Charlene would have questions about him and Glimmer. He mentally prepared himself for that impending visit as he stood back and watched as she interacted with the queens. His smile was automatic. Glimmer fit right in here. It took her a little while to get adjusted, but everyone loved her, and he loved to see his family take her in.
After several seconds of watching her, he made his way toward her and grabbed her by the waist. Ever since they’d kissed a few days ago, he made it a habit to place his lips on her in one way or another every time he laid eyes on her.
This time, he held her from behind and kissed the top of her head. All the women stopped talking as they watched Gideon love on his wife, with silly smiles on their faces.
“Awww, y’all are so cute.” Kyomi kicked her feet and squealed, damn near spilling the entire glass of orange juice that was in her hands.
Gideon reached out and pinched Kyomi’s cheek. “Chill.”
She swatted him away. “I will not. I never would have thought y’all would end up together.”
“Me neither.” Deja agreed, and they clinked their glasses together.
“Y’all, please,” Glimmer said as she covered her face with her hands.
Gideon loved how shy she could be when too much attention was on her. He pried her hands from her face, kissed her cheek, and ignored the queens as he bent to speak directly in her ear. “You ready to go on your first ride?”
She turned in his arms and tilted her head so she could look at him. “Yeah, but a little nervous too. Are you sure we should be doing this, considering everything that’s going on?”
Gideon smoothed her silky hair from her face. “We can do whatever we want, baby. Ain’t no nigga gonna stop us from doin’ anything. You hear me?”
She averted her gaze for a second but quickly looked back into his eyes. “Okay,” she whispered.
Gideon leaned down and pecked her lips. “I just want you to relax today and enjoy. We just goin’ about twenty miles up the coast to this lil bar we like to kick it at. Let loose for me, aight?”
She gave him a soft smile. “I’ll try.”
He grabbed her hand. “Come here.” He led her through the throng of people toward a seat in the corner. When he gestured for her to sit, she did, and he kneeled in front of her.
“What are you doing?” she asked with a brow arched.
“Checking your ankle.” He gingerly picked up the foot that had previously been injured.
She giggled. “It hasn’t bothered me in days. I’m okay.”
Gideon merely grunted as he took off her leather boot and eyed her ankle. It wasn’t swollen anymore, and the bottoms of her feet had healed. He massaged her ankle for a minute before deeming her good to go.
After he put her boot back on, he rubbed up her calf and looked into her eyes. “Looks good.”
His tone suggested he meant more than her ankle. They’d been flirting with each other relentlessly for the past few days, and Gideon couldn’t lie; the sexual tension was through the roof.
Glimmer blushed as she pushed her hair behind her ear. Haze’s loud voice stopped her from having to respond, to Gideon’s dismay. He loved seeing her squirm. He stood and faced Haze while Glimmer stayed seated, leaning into his thigh. His hand found her head, and he affectionately rubbed her hair as he listened.
