“Righteous.” Jariyah’s voice causes me to hop off the bar and head to where she stands at the threshold between the hall where the rooms are and the main one.
Jariyah’s weary eyes and shrunken shoulders cause my jaw to clench as my eyes watch her intently with every step I take toward her. Something about Jariyah’s uneasy state makes me want to kill the people responsible for dimming her light. When I’m in front of her, my hand gently removes the lone tear thatslides from the corner of her right eye. Her usual vibrant green eyes appear dull and hesitant, and I pull her into my body.
“I’m scared,” she whispers.
“Don’t be. For your pain, mothafuckas are gonna bleed. You’re safe with me, Navae.”
“Bring her out here, Righteous. She might as well hear the rest of this since it pertains to her,” Gunz says to my back.
My eyes look down at Jariyah, and her gaze is already on me. I’m not sure which pisses me off more, the water in her eyes or the fear that shines in them.
“I got you. These niggas don’t want any smoke from me. But if you let a single tear drop, somebody’s ass in this room will regret it.”
“I’m . . . okay, I just . . . They don’t want me here, Righteous.”
“Fuck them. I want you here, and that’s all that matters. Did you forget that you’re mine?”
A genuine smile slides into place that reaches Jariyah’s eyes as they twinkle like green gems. My heart skips a beat as a goofy grin forms, and I lean down to kiss her forehead.
“Come on.” I step back and connect our hands before I lead the way to the center next to Diesel and Gunz.
“I’m gonna relinquish the floor to Righteous, who I’m sure has a plan for how he wants us to move going forward,” Diesel says.
I take a minute to look around the room at everyone in attendance, including our prospects. Unlike the rebuttals I heard earlier, everyone’s eyes show their loyalty and commitment to do whatever is necessary. When I connect eyes with Deacon and he smirks, I tell them what I need to happen for the foreseeable future.
“First things first, Nox and Trouble, y’all will be assigned to watch Jariyah whenever she’s not with me. That won’t be too often; however, I want to make sure that not a freckle on herbeautiful face shifts. That means you niggas need to be like her second skin. The only place you can’t follow her is the bathroom. But make sure you’re outside the door. If you hear her grunt too hard, you better break your neck to make sure she’s good.”
“Damn, bro. How you gonna subject them to smelling Jariyah’s shit?” Shadow teases.
“They better figure that shit out. My vote for them to receive their patches will be solely based on their ability to protect and serve.” Deacon interjects.
My eyes land on him, and I smirk before my gaze lands on Squeak, whose head is on his shoulder. My poor cousin is in the deepest throes of sleep oblivious to everything going on around her.
“Exactly. I want Jariyah to have Squeak’s level of comfort wherever she goes,” I say, and all eyes zero in on Squeak.
A few laughs sound, and I join in when Deacon speaks again.
“Man, my baby ain’t heard shit, but she knows I won’t let a fly bother her moody ass right now.”
“Say less,” Nox says.
“Felt, bro. She’s good with us.” Trouble cosigns.
My chest swells as I nod before I tap my chest and move on to the next order of business.
“As far as the threat from the mayor, make sure you keep your head on a swivel. I don’t know who told our fearless politician that we run illegal businesses. But I have a feeling she’s gonna do her best to shake our tree. Let’s show her ass that Baxtown Iron ain’t scared of shit but judgement day,” I say.
“That part,” Gunz says.
“I’ll also talk to our contact down at RPD. I want to make sure that nobody tries to pin anything on us that doesn’t exist,” Diesel adds.
Jariyah’s tremors against me cause me to bring the conversation to a close. The rest of the conversation can be donewhen Jariyah’s sensitive ears are out of the vicinity. Some things should be reserved for members only to prevent Jariyah from worrying about matters outside her parameters. Part of my plan is to find dirt on the mayor so we’re not the only ones on guard. Hell, Mayor Owens better hope she’s taken the time to sweep around her front door. When all is said and done, I guide Jariyah back to my room so we can talk.
“How are you feeling about everything, Navae?” I close the door and lean against it with my eyes intently on her.
“Better, I think. I thought they would put me out of here. I think I’m falling in love with you, and the thought of losing you hurts more than the danger I evaded earlier.”
This fucking woman is the kryptonite I didn’t set out to succumb to.
