“Really?”
“Or maybe I would have. I recall him saying a few months ago that he couldn’t handle losing his money, his reputation, or career. He said that it would break him.”
“He told you that?”
“Yes, but he also said it on an interview show. It was something that I saw on a special about the ‘The Man, the Law, and the Politic.’”
“How are you feeling about it?”
“I guess I need to process it.”
“Why is that?”
“It seems odd, but I’m not sad about it, strangely enough. I would have expected to be. There’s a sense of relief that he’s no longer a threat to CJ.”
“Baby, he was never a threat to CJ. He was just blowing hot air. If there’s breath in my body, and the Immortal Descendents live to ride another day, you and our kid will always be safe. What about your personal feelings?”
“I have none. Even though we were together for almost a year, I don’t miss him. I’m hurt that I didn’t have enough discernment to see through him, and I exposed our son to that. I allowed myself to be used, and that bothers me more than anything. It feels like I wasted a year of my life and my son’s life.”
“You couldn’t have known. You had no idea what happened with me and the impact it would have on you. I had no idea that he would target you. Life happens, but we’ve overcome this shit, and we’re still standing. I love you, Charisma.”
I tip her head just a little and kiss her lips. She’s soft and moist, and she opens her mouth to me. She catches me off guard when she sucks my tongue, taking control of our kiss.
A noise to the side of us causes me to pull back. I smirk at CJ signing.
“What’s he saying?” I ask. I’m still learning a lot from him, but I know that, soon, we’ll be able to communicate effortlessly because I’m making him a priority.
“He says what happened to you taking this whupping?” Charisma laughs.
I press a kiss to her lips again and then pull back. “I’ma take you up on that offer you gave with that tongue action a minute ago. Right now, let me go put youngblood back in his place.”
She giggles and laughs. I turn to follow my son back into his room, and I can feel her eyes on me. I turn back and smile at her before I blow a kiss. She catches it, and my heart tugs in my chest. I never thought I would feel this whole again, but I do, all because of her and this little guy that I’ve been blessed with.
TWO MONTHS LATER
Our pipes rattle down the long road. Birds fly out of the trees, and the squirrels run for cover. We don’t bother moving with stealth as we head into the city.
Rage is in the lead, and I’m right behind him with Digger riding beside me. The entire MC is riding out to the big motorcycle festival. I look around at Priest, Sunny, Jagged, Keeper, Chainz, Knuckles, Rage, Ox, Moon, Lyon, Digger, Geek, Mutt, Ice, and all the rest of my brothers riding out. It feels good to be a part of this family again. For the last five years, I felt alone.
They’re not the only reason that I no longer feel lost and feel whole instead; it’s also because of the woman riding in the bitch seat behind me. She’s everything to me, and she’s the most important reason that I feel whole again.
Charisma is the only woman I’ve ever loved, and she’s the only woman who’s ever understood me besides my mama. All the brothers who have an old lady have them riding with them today, and for those who don’t, they have chosen a sweetbutt to ride with.
The sound of the hardcore rap lyrics signals the party just a mile up the road. I didn’t want to take Charisma with us at first, because I was unsure how she would welcome the atmosphere that we’re going into. I believe Torch and Ember said something to her, because she was keen on riding out with us. Even when I asked if she was sure, she became a little defensive and asked if the real problem was that I didn’t want her riding with me. She went on to tell me that CJ was spending a week with my mother, and she hadn’t gone through all of that for nothing.
Of course that could never be the problem. I’m proud to call her mine, and I’m even more proud that she wears my name on the back of her cut. We pull up into the large park within a few minutes, and Charisma releases me.
“Wow. I didn’t expect it to be this big,” she proclaims, looking around the park at the big turnout.
There are a few hundred bikers here today along with their old ladies and club whores. The atmosphere is festive, with Mak D and Chablis on the stage rapping some duet they’ve created, and Jovi Noelle is singing the hook.
Charisma winds her hips to the beat, and a smile comes on her face. As Torch, Ember, Kyte, and Juicy make their way to her, they start dancing, too, and my baby drops it low. I smack her on the ass and mug the shit out of her because I see quite a few eyes turn in her direction.
“What?” she asks, looking at me like I’m tripping.
“Aye. Watch that shit. You’re not on the Descendents property right now. If a nigga gets disrespectful out here, I swear I’m ’bout to turn loose in this bitch. Trust me, if I turn loose, my brothers will too.”
“Calm down, it’s not that serious,” she counters.
