“Nah. I’m gone need you to stay close,” I said, my voice even.
I reached out and wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her into my chest, then leaned forward to kiss her a few times before letting her come up for air.
“You look beautiful.”
Solana smiled and pulled her shades from her face, placing them into the purse she had secured across her body. I took the helmet made just for her and handed it to her.
My attention shifted to Jessa and Rico as they introduced themselves. I could tell Rico liked what he was seeing and had no problem with her riding with him. He was gone allow her to ride with him whether he liked her or not.
Rico wasn’t the kind to settle down, but I also felt it wasn’t my business to intervene. Jessa was a grown woman who could decide if she wanted to be involved.
“I can’t believe I’m about to have my first experience on the back of someone’s bike. Sir, do you drive safely?” Jessa asked, standing beside the bike like she was going to change her mind at any moment.
Aubree was already on the back of Juelz’s bike, and he was turned slightly, whispering something in her ear that caused her to giggle.
“I got you, little bit. We gone get there safely,” Rico spoke up.
“Sir, I am a grown, tall woman. But thank you for the reassurance. I also need a little help with this helmet.”
I shook my head at her antics. Jessa was far from tall, but if she wanted to believe that, I wasn’t here to tell her differently. Rico chuckled and helped her with the helmet.
Soon we were on the highway headed to The Crown Night Club. They knew we were coming, so we had a designated section and were told to come through the back.
After the thirty-minute ride, we parked our bikes around back.
“Woah, why y’all hoes didn’t tell me this is what it was like to ride on a motorcycle?” Jessa asked the moment she was off the back of Rico’s bike.
Solana unhooked her helmet and laughed along with Aubree.
“I don’t know why you added an s at the end of ‘hoes.’ This is my first time riding,” Aubree replied, then turned to look at Solana.
My baby just shrugged, then reached into her purse to remove her shades and slide them back on. Her head was on the swivel, taking in our surroundings. I knew that came from all she had been through and the fact that the last time we went out, those girls rushed the table. I took her helmet and locked it, then placed my hand on the small of her back to lead her toward the guard at the back door.
“What’s up, Duke — I see you. Boss is waiting on you. We got a section set up,” Bruce commented, glancing in Solana’s direction briefly before returning his attention to me.
I nodded, not saying a word. He knew this visit wasn’t a fucking social call. Bruce pulled the door open and waved over one of the other dudes posted up by the door. He immediately led us up the stairs in the back, illuminated by red lights. Ol’ boy knocked on another door, which was pulled open to reveal red velvet couches with partitions separating each section. We went up a short walkway to a section that overlooked the club below.
The club was going crazy. I don’t recall a time I had come here when it wasn’t packed out. I moved to the side to allow Aubree, Jessa, and then Solana to walk ahead of me and takea seat. Rico stood in front of our section overlooking the floor. Juelz took a seat by Aubree, then leaned in to whisper in her ear.
Solana adjusted her posture a few times, gaining my attention. I draped my arm around her hip and pulled her in closer to me, then leaned in to place kisses along the length of her neck until I made it to her ear.
“Relax. I got you, Sweets.”
Her body subtly melted into my side. I patted her hip a few times, matching the beat of the mix the DJ was playing.
“Y’all want something to drink?” I asked.
“We can drink,” Solana replied.
The bottle girl walked over a moment later with a few bottles of Ace of Spades, a couple of bottles of water, and the usual setup of ice and cups.
“This is all compliments of The Crown,” she announced as she uncorked the bottle, then started talking to the ladies.
I leaned forward to grab a bottle of water, then leaned over to whisper in Solana’s ear again.
“I gotta handle something, but Rico’s gone be here to look after y’all. I’ll be right back. Have a good time with your girls, love.”
She gave me a tight-lipped smile, as if she wanted to tell me she wanted me to stay but didn’t want to sound crazy. If only she knew I wasn’t too keen on leaving her either. It was one of the reasons she needed to come out with me tonight. I planned to make this conversation quick and get the fuck out of there once the ladies were ready to go.
