Story searched my face for a minute before he smiled. “You remember when you first met me? I caught you stealing from one of my guys in that alley on ninth.”
I smirked and looked right at him. “Hell yeah. You beat my ass for like an hour, then handed me a package and told me to deliver it. You said I’d better not fuck it up or you’d shoot me right between the eyes.”
Story laughed. “Damn, it wasn’t that bad, was it?”
“Fuck yeah it was.”
“But you took it like a man and did what I asked. In a few months, you knew more about my business than people who were with me for years. You worked hard and were always about your business. I watched you blow through women like a sport and told you it was because you didn’t understand what it meant to have feelings or be in love.”
“Shit, I still don’t, so what’s your point?”
“My point is things are different now. You might not know love, but you care about her. I see it in your eyes and your expression when you’re talking about her. She’s my baby girl, Trooper. I never once held her in my arms or heard her voice, but that don’t mean I love her any less. Take care of her for me.Make her happy. I trust you to do that because I know you care about her.”
I laughed and looked him in his eyes, but he was dead ass serious. “I got you, Story. She’s good, I’ll make sure of that,” I said, getting serious.
“Aight, bet. Now tell me what else is new. I haven’t seen you in months. I miss you.”
“Yeah, I know. I’ve been busy. I’ll do better, though.”
“Nah, I don’t want you here. You need to live.”
I agreed because he wouldn’t have it any other way. Story was my family; he was all I had. So if he asked, it was done. That was a guarantee, but I needed to figure out what to do about Sophie. I had a feeling things were about to get complicated.
Chapter 14
Sophie
When Trooper stepped off the elevator and entered my apartment, he had the weight of the world on his shoulders. I didn’t know if it was about me or him, but I felt his tension.
He looked at me and forced a smile. I slipped my arms around his waist and pressed the side of my face against his chest. Shortly after, his hands moved up my back, pulling me into his body more before he kissed the top of my head.
I held that position a few moments before I leaned back and looked up at him.
“Are we okay? I don’t know what’s going on with you and my parents, and I really don’t care, I just want us to be okay.”
He inhaled and released it slowly before pecking my forehead. “We’re good. This right here is about us. Your parents don’t have to like it, but their vote doesn’t count, Sophie. Only mine and yours, but I need you to agree to that or it won’t work.”
“Just mine and yours,” I repeated. I meant it too. I’d deal with my parents one way or another, but who my heart belonged to was of no concern to them. I would hope they could respect that, and if not, I’d just have to figure out how to love them and keep my life with Trooper separate.
“Aight, good, ’cause I think you got me on some possessive type shit. I would have to fuck around and kidnap you if you called yourself trying to walk.”
“Possessive and kidnapping.” I laughed because he looked so serious. “That sounds like you don’t want to share me, Trooper.”
“Hell no I don’t and I’m not going to. You’re saying that like there’s a possibility of me sharing you. Don’t get fucked up in here, Sophie,” he stated with a sly grin.
“You most definitely are not sharing me, but that better mean I’m not sharing you either.” I narrowed my eyes at him and he laughed before his lips found mine.
“You don’t have to worry about that, but I need to ask you something. Come sit down.”
He took my hand and led me to my living room, taking a seat and pulling me into his lap. I had no idea what was coming, but it was important based on his expression.
“What’s wrong?” I was impatient and needed to know what was up.
“Nothing’s wrong, Sophie, chill. You have vacation, right? I mean, you have to because you own the company.” Trooper offered me that sexy crooked smile.
“Yes, I suppose technically I do, but things are so crazy right now.”
“Either you do or you don’t.” He frowned at me and waited.
