Jariyah has been under me since her mini interrogation an hour ago. I don’t mind at all because I enjoy the feeling of her body next to mine.
“Of course there are women members. Too much testosterone would be fateful. We need a lot of female energy to balance us out. But Dimples, the woman closest to the man over there, is our treasurer. She’s also Boston’s wife. Trixx is a regular member and our resident bartender. Deacon’s wife, Squeak, is our secretary.”
“Oh. That’s interesting.”
“What is?”
I shift my gaze from the threesome to Jariyah to see her eyes already on me. Curiosity shines heavy in her eyes before she speaks again.
“This club is more than the hellraisers people believe you all to be. I love it. Shattering myths is something I can fully get with. But I can help too.”
A low chuckle falls from my mouth when Jariyah’s words settle within me.
“Oh, really? How so?”
“I used to dibble and dabble with bartending during college. Maybe if I go over and make myself friendly, the men will warm up to me faster.”
“I don’t know about all that, but come on. I’ll introduce you to make shit easier.”
I stand and then turn to help Jariyah to her feet before we walk over to the bar just as Dimples and Boston walk away. Dimples smiles and giggles as Boston whispers in her ear. So, I make a mental note to introduce Jariyah to her another time.
“Aye, Trixx. Come meet my woman,” I say when we reach the bar.
Trixx rolls her eyes before she walks over to where Jariyah and I are.
“It’s about time. I’m waiting for you to act like you have some home training.” Trixx grins before her eyes shift to Jariyah. “Hey, honey. Welcome to the group.”
A warm feeling moves through my body when Trixx leaves the bar and hugs Jariyah. Trixx knows no strangers, so her actions don’t surprise me at all. Since it appears that Jariyah is good with Trixx, I leave the bar when they start cackling like two hens.
“I’m going to go help at the bar,” Jariyah says thirty minutes later.
My eyes shift to the bar, where Trixx is swamped by a steady flow of members and others vying to place an order. My eyes then move to everyone in the vicinity to ensure I know all the key players, just in case shit goes left. Some of the men are my brothers, and the relationship is still irrelevant when I consider Jariyah’s pending interaction with them. The fire that simmers within me cools when Jariyah’s hand moves up and down my chest. My eyes land on her to see a small smile.
“I can handle it. I promise.”
“If something doesn’t feel right, let me know.” My tone is softer than I feel as I again shift to the men moving about at the bar.
“I’m sure you’ll be close if I need you.”
“Damn straight.” My hand hovers on her back as I lead her toward the gathering group in need of drinks.
My face is a mask of murder as I lead Jariyah behind the bar, before I lean down to gently kiss her lips. I want every nigga in this room to know that she belongs to me so they know the consequences should they get out of line with my lady.
“I won’t be far. But show these mothafuckas why you’re more than your last name. Show them why you’re mine,” I whisper before I turn and walk away.
My strides are confident as my heart thumps wildly in my chest. Not only is Jariyah showing me that she’s not just the mayor’s daughter, but also that she's determined to find her footing in my club. But her attempt at disarming my brothers not long ago confirms that she’s no shrinking violet. I don’t know what qualifies her to bartend, but I’m curious to see how she handles her encounters with the people in my world. I head toward Diesel, Gunz, Shadow, and Smoke, whose eyes watch me intently. Squeak wasn’t feeling well, so she and Deacon left ten minutes ago. Otherwise, I have no doubt that he would be among this group.
“Either you’re bold or foolish. I’m gonna wait to see which because are you really letting her green ass work the bar?” Gunz smirks before he folds his arms over his chest.
“My vote is cocky and stupid. Ain’t no way in hell I would throw my woman into that pit of vultures. They’ll sniff out her uncultured ass like bloodhounds.” Shadow laughs.
All I can do is grin like a fool when my eyes return to the bar to see Jariyah smiling as she vibes with Trixx. Her green eyes seem to dance with happiness, and my chest tightens as I confirm how comfortable she looks. The desire to take my vest off and put it on Jariyah fills me with a foreign feeling the longer I stare. A statement from my president brings my focus back to the group of men I’m with.
“There must be something in the Redmond water that has you niggas falling like a stack of cards with women you shouldn’t blend your lives with,” Diesel says.
Jariyah definitely has me out of sorts and understanding why Deacon is now a married man with a baby on the way.
“Imagine knowing both of their fathers. Let’s just say the chip doesn’t fall from the Redmond trees,” Gunz adds with a shake of his head.
