Admittedly, talking to so many people was draining. I appreciated the love, but I’d gotten used to my solitude. Even when I would have time in the yard, I’d deal with a select few. Being around so many people, with so much excitement and energy, was more draining than I thought it would be. At this point, I craved seclusion. The only person I wanted around was Jelai. I wanted to use her stomach or ass as a pillow while I read or watched TV. Who knew how long it would take before we could be on that type of time.
I grabbed a shot of whiskey from the bar, then texted Sonny and Cole to let them know I was here. Not long after, Sonny made his way out. We dapped up, then he gave me a quick tour of the clubhouse. It was crazy how they’d expanded under Pops’ leadership while I was gone. When I was sat down, the clubhouse was just a restaurant one of the members owned. They had church every weekend before he opened for the dinner shift. Now, TWR had its very own headquarters, and I loved that shit.
As we made our way into the sanctuary, all eyes were on me. I nodded out of respect to everyone that was seated as I made my way toward Pops. I didn’t recognize the woman that was talking, but based on what she was saying, it sounded like she was the secretary.
“You good, Son?” Pops checked, using my hand to pull me in for a hug.
“More than good. You good?”
He chuckled and eyed me mischievously. “My baby boy is home. What could be better than this for me?”
A humble pride filled me as I took the empty seat next to him. I sat and listened to the middle-aged woman run down a few announcements, including their upcoming events. Since it was early April, they were going to start planning for their annual summer trip for kids and the back to school basket fundraiser. She talked a little while longer before Pops stood and made his way to the front of the room.
“Service won’t be long,” he started. “I wanted to make y’all aware of our newest prospect. Technically we’re closed for new members, but this one requires an adjustment to the schedule.” His head bobbed in my direction as he said, “Come up here, Son.”
A few people muttered, “Son?” while others looked back in my direction. Ignoring the smiles, looks of confusion, and whispered conversation, I made my way next to him.
“As y’all can see, Yates Motherfucking Harris is back!”
He paused while almost everyone in the room cheered and clapped. I couldn’t help but notice one hating ass nigga frowning with his arms crossed over his chest—Rian. That came as no surprise to me. I’d beat his ass damn near beyond recognition back in the day. His daddy was so mad about it he approached mine, just for Pops to beat his ass too. After that, his pops made sure Rian never even looked in my direction, but he was for surelooking now. I wasn’t sure what had his nuts feeling like they were big and long enough to drag against the floor, but I’d show him he still wasn’t shit for me to handle if it came to that.
“Wicked, my heart, my pride and joy, will be a prospect just like anybody else,” Pops continued. “This is just a formality for the members that joined us while he was sat down over the past decade. Y’all will see his reliability, his priority, and most importantly, his loyalty. Unlike the usual six months to a year, my boy will get his patch in three months. He already knows the lifestyle, the culture, and he proved himself when he was a teenager. But I’ll give y’all three months of him being a prospect before he becomes an official member.”
He patted my back like he always did, then I returned to my seat. He made a few more announcements of his own before service was over. After that, we went out where the rest of the members and hangarounds were. Drinks were poured, blunts were lit, and it turned into a little kickback. As much as I was enjoying myself, I wanted to be with my gal. All I could do was hope it didn’t take her long to let me in. Ten years had passed, and I was ready for her—now.
Aimlessly, I wandered around the grocery store. I couldn’t get Wicked out of my mind. A part of me was glad I hadn’t seen or heard from him over the last two days, but the other part of me wanted him to chase me . . . even if all I was going to do was push him away. It was toxic as hell on my part, and I didn’t usually play games. However, my mind knew I needed to stay away from Wicked while my heart, and my body, yearned for him.
By the time I made it to the frozen section, I’d put so much random stuff in my basket. Shaking my head, I chuckled and decided to get it all. Even if I didn’t eat it any time soon, I’d likely binge on it after eating a gummy or smoking. My feet stopped moving, and I felt chills cover my arms. Even without me lookingback, I knew Wicked was near. Closing my eyes, I inhaled a deep breath. Slowly, I turned, and sure enough, there he was.
His hair, which hung past his armpits, looked like it had been freshly plaited. The small braids were pulled up into a man bun that made him look even sexier. I loved a dark-skinned man in white, and now was no different. The white T-shirt that stretched across his frame was simple in design, but it made him look good as fuck. As happy as I was to see him, I couldn’t help myself from asking . . .
“Are you stalking me?”
“Not necessarily,” he answered, stepping in my direction. “I will be watching you to make sure you’re safe. Plus, you’re mine, and I’m not giving up on us.”
Inhaling his fresh, woody, citrusy scent, I took a step back. A fine man who smelled good was my weakness, and whatever cologne Wicked had on smelled so sensual.
“I’ve been warned to stay away from you,” I admitted. “I’m not even supposed to be talking to you.”
“Says who? Chris?”
I didn’t want to agree or deny, so instead, I said, “People say you’re dangerous and that being attached to you would put me in the path of The Outlaws.”
“I don’t give a fuck whatpeoplesay,” he made clear, taking another step in my direction. “I care about what you say. How you feel. What you want.”
“Even if I wanted to pursue something between us, you literally just got out of prison. Don’t you need to have a ho phase to get that shit out of your system? What man does a decade and then wants to commit to one woman?”
Wicked chuckled as he ran his fingers down the corners of his mouth. “A man who craved one woman for over a decade.” When his hand wrapped around my neck and tilted my head by my chin, a low moan escaped me. “A man who has discipline andself-respect. A man who has never been overpowered by pussy. A man who’s had you in his vision since he was fifteen.” My eyes closed as I wrapped my hand around his wrist. “I won’t lie and suggest I haven’t had sex with other women in the last ten years, but what I am saying is I want you—now and forever—and no one else but you.”
My eyes fluttered as I swallowed hard. “You’re gonna be hard to reject,” I admitted breathlessly. “Not sure if I even want to.”
“Good.” When his thumb stroked my lips, I couldn’t stop myself from licking it. As he pulled away, I tugged my bottom lip between my teeth. “I’ll give you space to figure out your conflicting feelings, but I’ll never be too far away. When you’re ready, I’m yours. Until then, don’t forget you’re mine.”
Speechless, all I could do was nod. “I’ma pay for your groceries and make sure you get home safely,” he continued, “and don’t fuck around with no other niggas while you’re figuring shit out. I done killed for you before, so you know I’ll do it again.”
My mouth dropped open before I grinned, watching his crazy ass walk away. That should have been a red flag that made me want to leave him alone. Instead, it turned me on and reminded me of two things: one, I would always be safe with him, and two, Wickedneverplayed about me.
As I finished my shopping, he gave me my space. I didn’t see him again until I made my way to the front of the store. At the sight of me, he came over and paid for my groceries like he said. As he put the items in my trunk, he asked, “Have you ever ridden a motorcycle before?”
