“Don’t tempt me,” he growled in a low tone.
Two additional masked men slipped in behind him. He never lowered his gun or broke eye contact with her as they swarmed by.
“Grab that shit,” he ordered, voice muffled and deep.
The two came back with the first few pieces, which she clocked as some of the most expensive. One of them propped thedoor open, and it was then that Inari caught a glimpse of the original delivery person face down on the ground with a bullet to his head. Still, she didn’t panic. After two more trips, it seemed they had everything they needed. The assailant in front of her stared her down intensely. The way his eyes drifted over her had her feeling like she’d been stripped of her wardrobe.
“Let’s go.” He grabbed her arm and twirled her, so she could move in the opposite direction ahead of him.
Reaching into his pocket, he grabbed a syringe and quickly pricked her neck. Inari grew dizzy after a few steps. Knees wobbling, she weakened as the ground grew closer. The muscular arms wrapped around her were familiar, along with that fresh, clean aroma coming from his manly pores. His eyes lingered in hers one last time before they spun backward and she went into a blackout state.
“The fuck was that?” Mozzi questioned Moose when he hopped into the passenger seat and caught his breath.
Slowly, he lifted the ski mask off his face.
“Did you know this was where the drop was?” he asked, studying the Vintage Vault sign as Ash’s Semi pulled off with the stolen pieces.
“Drive,” Moose ordered, checking his side view mirror as Mozzi shifted into drive.
He brought Mozzi along to tap into the security because he was the best and could pretty much hack anything. Arriving and seeing Inari’s place of business front and center rattled the fuck out of him, but he couldn’t back down. Audiemar would have his fucking head. There were always rules to this shit. He might have loved Jane, but even she was expendable if she couldn’t fallin line. It was the way shit worked. His motto was always ‘the mission over everything’. There was a serious amount of paper on the line.
“I didn’t know, aight,” Moose finally uttered. “But what the fuck was I supposed to do?”
“What you do with her?”
“She’ll be fine. Might have to answer some questions, but the fact that we took her down means she won’t have much to speak on. For all she knows, it was some random niggas. I’ll check her temp when this shit blows over.” Moose didn’t know who he was trying to convince, himself or Mozzi.
Last night with Inari turned into a form of intimacy he didn’t know. He talked to that girl about everything and nothing at all. He loved watching her plush lips curve into a smile, and that soft, raspy laugh when she threw her head back at something he said. She didn’t sit in awe of him the way thirsty chicks did, hanging onto his every word and believing everything he said like it was gospel. Inari challenged him, and she was smart. He loved that about her most. A woman who could teach him things was of value. Irreplaceable. Moose leaned forward and snatched the small pack from his socks.
Cocaine was like a vitamin to him. He had to have it at least once a day. He’d told himself a long time ago he wasn’t an addict. He could function and be more productive than a nigga with no motion. When he finished, he pinched both nostrils and took a breath.
Mozzi stayed on Ash and his team until they reached their landing space. Ash appreciated the help, dapping him and Mozzi up before parting ways with them. Moose split his percentage with his brother once he dropped him off at his car a couple of blocks from the tattoo shop.
“What you getting into?” Moose queried, slinging his backpack over his shoulder.
Mozzi lifted his head from in his phone.
“About to slide up on Coast and head home,” he answered. “Got some shit to take care of in the morning.”
“Don’t forget the staff meeting. New routes for the drivers, and we need to make sure everybody is on point.”
Mozzi was texting Coast since pulling up behind Moose’s whip, and he didn’t like that she’d gone to work. He understood her needing her independence, but he was already providing for her, and he didn’t see the point in her waiting tables. She told him her shift was ending, so his plan was to slide up on her, grab some food to go, and head back to his place. She wasn’t the only one who couldn’t sleep without being near one another. By the time he arrived on the other side of town, he saw that the restaurant was popping. He circled the block until he caught a car pulling out of a parking spot near the door and slid into it.
Hopping out, he adjusted his pants on his waist, and made sure to hit the fob on his keyring to secure his car. Slipping it into his pocket, he approached the doors to Comfort Kitchen and let himself inside. The day had kicked his ass, and the familiar fragrance of burgers, fries, and the peppers and onions for the Philly cheesesteaks had his stomach rumbling. Mozzi spotted Coast at the counter, counting her tips, apron still tied around her waist when he eased up behind her. His semi hard dick poked her in the ass, and Coast let her head fall against his chest.
“What’s good, Trouble?” He nuzzled her neck, taking a big whiff of her body spray, some type of pomegranate shit.
He noticed she liked those fruity scents. Normally, he didn’t, but it blended with her natural aroma. He rested his hand against the counter and kissed her neck.
“Mmm, your order is almost ready. I can just follow you out to your spot.” Coast spun to face him, and Mozzi stepped in closer, sealing the space between them.
Kneeling, he captured her full, glossy lips in a much-needed kiss, and Coast threw her arms over his shoulders. She’d stopped denying him because there really was no use. He brought his A game when dealing with her. When she was in his presence he made it all about her and honestly, didn’t get any better than that. The situation was still delicate because she was pregnant, but she was doing her best to give him the benefit of the doubt in hopes that he didn’t switch up on her at some point. All she knew was he gave her solace, and that couldn’t be bought.
“Let me go get my bag. I’ll be right back.” She brushed past him to the employee room, so she could time out and get her purse.
After she’d secured her locker, she stepped back out into the restaurant. Mozzi was still seated on a stool at the counter. Coast slung her bag over her shoulder and started in his direction, when a familiar face stepped into her path. Expression cloaked in attitude, Lin looked her up and down in a tight white catsuit and a pair of clear Prada heels. Coast couldn’t help but compare herself as her teddy bear brown eyes roamed her curves. The dark, glam beat suited her, and she rocked a big diamond chain with an L medallion.
“Can I help you with something?” Coast questioned, sensing she was on some bullshit from the half smirk on her face.
