“If that’s what you need, then I ain’t got no choice but to respect it. Just don’t stay gone too long. Cause me and those godsons of yours. We’ll come find you.”
I dapped him up again, the weight of everything sitting heavy between us as we started walking back to the truck.
“I’ll come looking for y’all before y’all gotta come looking for me,” Rich spoke with that sly grin before we climbed in and peeled off, heading to the warehouse.
Dre had dipped off to Utah. My people traced the call that came through his mama’s phone. Finding him wasn’t hard. Could’ve hopped on a plane, put an end to it right there. But I needed to know if he had backup, if he was running with anyone else in my city.
I’m taking them out, one by one. Every last one. This war. It’s personal now. My family, my peace, that’s what’s on the line. And the only way to get there is to wipe out every enemy in my path.
Let him hide for now, thinking he’s safe. But just like I predicted. He’s coming back. And when he does. Ain’t no mercy coming with me.
Chapter
Thirteen
STORMI
Irolled over and felt nothing but the cold emptiness of the bed. Seth, Shiloh, and S3 were gone before I even realized. I must’ve been sleeping too hard to notice when they slipped out.
Stretching and wiping the sleep from my eyes, I reached beside me and felt something unexpectedly hard, smooth, and definitely not a pillow. My fingers brushed over the petals of a bouquet of deep red roses laid out carefully on the bed.
I pulled the small note tucked inside, reading:
Today is all about you. Go get pampered.
115 14th Court, Suite 9.
A slow smile spread across my face as I inhaled the scent of fresh roses. Seth always knew how to make a girl feel seen, even in the smallest moments.
I slipped out of bed, showered, and dressed with a lightness I hadn’t felt in days. The house was too quiet, too damn quiet,especially with S3, Jo, and Shiloh usually filling every corner with noise and life.
Heading downstairs, I spotted Jo and Ms. Serena in the kitchen, chatting quietly over coffee.
“Hey,” I spoke, trying to keep my voice casual, “Where’s Seth and the boys?”
Serena looked up with a knowing smile. “He took them early this morning. Said he had them ‘til tonight and just needed us to watch ‘em then.”
Jo shot me a look. “That man’s got something planned. So, don’t argue. Go enjoy the peace and quiet, baby.”
I laughed softly and kissed them both on the cheek. “Alright, I’ll try.”
I grabbed my purse and walked outside, only to find Josh already behind the wheel, waiting.
“Thought you might need a ride,” he teased with that easy grin.
“You’re my driver today?” I asked, sliding into the front seat since Shiloh’s car seat and S3’s booster took up the back.
Josh grinned, hands on the wheel. “Driver, and the nigga who’s about to kill anybody who fucks with you. Husband orders so you already know.”
I laughed, feeling the warmth of that protection like a shield. Just then my phone rang. RJ’s name lit up the screen, and my heart jumped. I missed him so damn much. The few calls and Face Times during the week weren’t enough used to seeing him every damn day before he took off to Africa for that medical mission.
“Hey bestie!” I almost screamed into the phone as soon as I answered.
“Baby mama,” he chuckled, “You sound refreshed like you ain’t got no newborn crying all night, an active kid running you ragged, and a horny husband on your ass.”
I smirked. “Got some much-needed rest last night. Now I’m off to get pampered.”
“Seth set that up for you, huh? We all know you don’t know how to rest.”
