Finally, Aunt Jenahra said, “I feel like we owe Marcus even more than we could have ever realized. He went through so much growing up with Cici. Cici turned out the way she did, because Daddy’s parents stole from her mother. Being from Mexico and not speaking English well, she probably didn’t even realize what they were doing to her. This world is so fucking wicked.”
“Cici turned to drugs to probably cope with life. She probably had a lot of mental trauma that stemmed from that. Not having money to take care of your basic needs can cause people to do almost anything to take care of themselves. There was no telling what she saw growing up. I hate this so much,” Aunt Chrissy added.
Shy nodded. “In the meantime, Marcus is safe in Puerto Rico. Syn, I think you and the kids should join him there. I feel like it will only be a matter of time before they try to come for y’all. That includes you and Malia, too, Ace. Look at it as an extended vacation. Ali and Dinalee’s family will help y’all get situated.”
Aunt Syn started crying. I could imagine how hard that could be. However, at least she would be with Uncle Marcus. Aunt Vida hugged her tightly as Seneda and Hendrix stood in frontof her. Everyone seemed so broken. My attention went to Angel, though. Rylan was rubbing her stomach, and she looked to be in pain. I quickly stood and made my way to them.
“Angel, what are you feeling?”
“A lot of pressure, Bali. I think it’s time.”
She was right on time. It seemed like she’d been pregnant forever. She found out so early in her pregnancy, it seemed like it had been a year.
“Sorry to cut this meeting short, but we have a baby tryna be a part of the family discussion!” I yelled.
Rylan quickly stood and scooped her up just as her water broke. Noni was at the door, holding it open for them. Aunt Chrissy and Tyeis quickly went to their vehicles while Decaurey took care of Essence and Ellison’s bad asses. Another Henderson was gracing us with its presence.God have mercy on this baby’s soul.
CHAPTER 19
CARTER
Treasure was pacing back and forth, wearing the floor out. She was so nervous about Kingsley coming to dinner. I wasn’t sure why. Everyone already knew who he was. We may not have known him personally, but we definitely knew his parents, KJ, and Karima. They were always at the rodeos with Karima, and lately, he’d been at some of the local ones with his younger brother, Kane, competing in team roping.
Just as I was about to stand and go to her, Mythic circled his arms around her. Since her attack, she’d been closer to him. Anyone else wouldn’t have wanted to have a thing to do with him. I was hoping she wouldn’t have blamed him for what she went through, although that shit had everything to do with his actions. She clung to him, feeling like he was the only one that could rescue her.
“Treasure, cool out, girl. Everything gon’ be fine.”
She took a deep breath and closed her eyes. “You’re right. How do I look?”
I slowly shook my head. “You look beautiful as always,” he said.
She wore jeans and a shimmy shirt, showing off her belly button piercing. I swore she was a miniature version of ourmother. Cachet was a mixture of both mom and dad. Mythic looked just like dad. I liked to think that Epic and I were mixtures of them as well. She was wearing her natural hair loose and had gotten it straightened. It was a little past her shoulders.
Bali, Noni, Maui, and Cachet were in the kitchen with Mama, Grandma Rose, Aunt Kortlynn, and Aunt Shana, and Epic was in the barn with dad, Red Squared, Uncle Red, and Uncle Zayson. It was a true family affair. Aaliyah, Asad, and Ashanni were on their way. Uncle Zay’s daughters, Lauren and Kali, were also on their way, and their son, Zacardi, would be here a little later.
These were all the people we grew up with. We looked at them as our aunts, uncles, and cousins, excluding the Hendersons. My dad was an only child. My mom had a sister, but she didn’t live here, and they weren’t all that close. They talked from time to time, but not enough for us to be close to her. Aunt Shana was like her sister, but they were actually cousins. Sometimes, I forgot they were blood related. My dad said Uncle Red was on Aunt Shana from jump, and that was how he met my mama.
When the doorbell rang, Treasure froze. No one that came here regularly used the front door. So it was definitely Kingsley. For her to be this nervous showed just how much she liked him.
“Sis, you want me to get it?” I asked.
She nodded nervously as I stood and grabbed her hand. She was in Mythic’s arms, practically hyperventilating. “You wouldn’t be this nervous if you didn’t like him. We’re all here baby. Ain’t nothing popping off with all your people here to have your back. You understand?”
“Yeah.”
I nodded, then headed to the door. When I opened it, Kingsley was standing there with a bouquet of flowers. I smiled and slapped his hand. “Come on in, man. Before you go to where she is?—”
“Don’t worry. I know she’s nervous about this. I could hear it in her voice when I called this morning. I won’t overwhelm her.”
“Can I ask you something?”
He frowned slightly and nodded. “Yeah. What’s up?”
“I know that Treasure is attractive, but why?”
I was really asking why he wanted to go through this with her. After what happened to her, any other nigga would have moved on. It was like he loved her by wanting to stick by her despite all that. Somehow, he knew exactly what I was asking.
“I’ve liked her for a while. I just thought the timing was off. I’m younger than her, and I didn’t believe she would have taken me seriously. So I waited. When that shit happened to her . . .”
