The offer was tempting because of the fine ass man standing before her, bare chest exposed, shorts sitting low on his waist, and print on display because of the thin cotton material covering his lower half, but Samari was also slightly disappointed. Asao’s beach house had become her place of peace and inspiration. She wasn’t in a rush to leave.
Instead of pushing for more time, she smiled, accepted his hand, and allowed his assistance with lifting from the loungechair she occupied. One by one she untucked her legs from beneath his hoodie, and once she was on her feet, Asao brought her body into his solid frame. His mouth was on hers and she moaned into the kiss while the subtle hint of mint transferred from his tongue to hers.
When they separated, allowing her to replenish the air he’d kept from her lungs, Asao grinned. “That sad ass pout you just gave me is about to have me spending more time out here.”
She playfully rolled her eyes, not realizing she had been so transparent. Instead of responding, she stepped back and tugged the hoodie over her body, exposing a sea of brown skin. The only thing left were the light gray boy cut panties she wore beneath. Samari turned, moving toward the house, glancing over her shoulder at Asao when she realized he wasn’t behind her.
“Yeah, we’re definitely going to spend more time out here. I love this damn view.”
Asao steppedin line at Druid Correctional Facility at one p.m.. With a hat sitting low on his head, dressed in jeans and a hoodie, he’d managed to keep a low profile until it was time to hand over his identification and remove his hat to be cleared for the visit. Once he removed all his personal belongings, which were placed in the facility locker he was assigned, and stepped outside the room prepared to see his father, his identity was revealed.
“You got people in here?” the guard asked quietly, respectful enough to not bring attention to Asao. This had only been the second time he’d visited his father. The first being a week after Asao’s eighteenth birthday when his father called and askedAsao to come. Prior to that visit, Leedren refused to allow Asao or his wife to visit. She still didn’t have access but Leedren granted his son the opportunity to discuss news he’d received.
“My OG.”
“Respect.” The guard nodded. “We fuck with you heavy, so if he needs anything…”
Asao shook his head. His father had spent the last twenty-three years quietly doing his time. No one knew who his son was or the weight Asao’s name carried in the city. What little respect Leedren Delane carried while in lock up was based on the reputation he had before conviction and the way he’d carried himself while serving time. He wouldn’t live off what another man had built, not even his son.
“’Preciate that. He’s good though.”
The guard nodded. “Aight, but the offer is there. Trust, we got you. Your name is good with us. You’re solid and represent the city.”
Asao tossed his chin just before he entered the room. A smile eased onto his face at the sight of the man who’d raised him. They talked often, and though his father wasn’t physically in his life, his presence and wisdom never left.
As Asao approached, Leedren stood and embraced his son. He held him for a second longer than he should have and the familiarity turned Asao into that ten year old boy who idealized the man before him. In a sense, he was still that boy, because when his father was taken away, parts of Asao’s life stood still.
He grew into a man, one who didn’t always make the best decisions, but one Leedren could be proud of because Asao was loyal, respected, and a man who held values outside of the ill deeds he committed.
“What’s good, Pops?” Asao spoke with an easy smile on his face that mirrored the one his father returned. The men shared identical features with two and a half decades separating them.
“Just trying to live right.” Leedren placed his hand on the table and one on his leg.
“There isn’t a damn thing right about living in this place,” Asao said smoothly, keeping his expression neutral and void of the frustration he felt from having to see his father in the environment that had held him captive for the past twenty-three years.
Leedren nodded. “I agree but I’m speaking more about in here.” He tapped his temple. “How you doing?”
“I’m good. Same shit different day.” Asao smirked.
“That’s not true though, is it?” Leedren asked.
“What do you mean?”
“Track Killaz.”
Asao chuckled lightly, not surprised that his father was aware of his newest business venture. Although he hadn’t run the idea by Leedren, there wasn’t much about Asao that Leedren wasn’t aware of. He kept close tabs on Asao’s moves through people he trusted and often made calls to check his son when he strayed too far from a life that would cause him follow the same path as his old man, locked in a cell.
“Why are you always in my business, Pops? You know I’m grown, right?” Asao joked.
“I know but you’re my son. No matter how much age you carry, I will always be a voice of reason when it comes to the decisions you make.”
“And what’s your voice on our label?”
Leedren smiled proudly. “it’s a good look for you. You didn’t give Niles too much pushback, did you?”
“How you know it wasn’t my idea?”
“I know my son. You’re the art, not the business. You’re more than capable of handling both but your heart is in the music.”
