“I don’t think your anger is misdirected. This did happen because of me, and that’s not something that I can change. I never thought it would, but that’s also because I’ve never had anything that people felt they could do to hurt me personally. And that’s not just in the street shit. Because I’m sure that you’ve learned by now that the music business isn’t much different than the shit we have going on in the streets.”
“You’re right about that. It’s definitely just as ruthless from what I’ve seen. But even though I know I can’t put this all on you, whether it's street or regular business-related, we unfortunatelycan’t control other people's actions. I do want to know what your plans are moving forward? I know you said you were going to leave that life behind, but now I think we have to speed that up. You need to handle what needs to be handled and then be done with it.”
“I’m done with it. I have a few loose ends to tie up, but other than that, I’m out. I will never let anything like what happened tonight happen to you ever again. I damn near lost my mind thinking about what you were going through.”
“Well, I’m fine. I just really want to put it behind us.”
“If that’s what you want to do, then I’m fine with it. But if you want to know something else, then ask me.”
“No, I’m fine. I’m safe, you’re safe, and I just want to put things behind us. I trust that you’re going to do whatever you can to make sure this doesn’t happen ever again.”
“I am. Now that we have that out of the way, I do want to talk to you about something. I don’t think there’s an easy way to transition into it, so I’m just going to say it. The doctor said that you were pregnant when they did your exam. I know you were tired, and I didn’t want them to overwhelm you, but it’s something that we need to talk about.”
Pulling my body from his and removing his arm from around me, I sank into the bed and rested my head on the pillow behind me. “I know. I found out today. I was going to tell you after the party. I didn’t want to take over the night since we both already had so much to worry about.”
“Kenedi, when will you get that you’re the most important person and part of my life? If you need to talk to me about anything, you always take priority, ma. The party was important, but nothing matters more than you do.”
“Trust me, I’m learning that more and more these days. So, how do you feel about me being pregnant?” I asked, propping myself up on my elbow and looking into his eyes. I knew that hewas going to be okay with it, but I needed to be sure that this was what he wanted, too.
“I’m happy as hell, honestly. You’re already going to be my wife, and I want you to be the mother of my kids. If God wants to speed up that process, so be it. What’s more important is how you feel about being pregnant.”
“I’m actually very happy. I would’ve preferred to be married before we brought children into this world, but I’m still extremely happy to be carrying our child and becoming a mother.”
Bending down, he connected his lips with mine as he rubbed my stomach. The butterflies that came whenever he touched me began swarming in my stomach. Something inside was telling me that my life was on the verge of getting even better, if that was even possible. I was truly the happiest I’d ever been in my life. And the thought of things getting better than they already were literally made me want to cry. Maybe it was the pregnancy hormones already kicking in, or maybe it was just pure happiness.
“I’m happy that you’re happy. And, if you want to, we can get married before the baby gets here. You don’t have a budget, so I’m sure that we can make whatever you want to happen for our wedding happen before it’s time for you to deliver.”
“Really? I don’t want to rush into marriage because I’m pregnant.”
“Kenedi, I would marry you right now if that’s what you wanted to do. But I know you, and I know a wedding with all the bells and whistles is important to you. And who says it has to be rushed? You have plenty of time to plan things. And money always talks and makes people move faster.”
“Okay, let’s do it then. We have to tell my parents first, though. My mother would kill both of us if we didn’t involve her in the entire process,” I said, laughing.
“Yeah, I know. I’m on whatever time you’re on.”
“Okay. I love you. I’m ready to go to bed now,” I said, turning over and scooting my body into his as he wrapped his arm around my body.
“I love you, too,” he said, kissing my neck.
As we laid there, I could feel that he still had a lot on his mind, and I knew that there was nothing else that I could do to calm him down. I knew that he was trying to hold things together for me, but now that he knew I was good, he was going to be on a warpath. Even without knowing that he still had dealings in the streets, Sincere already gave off the vibe that he wasn’t to be played with or tested, and whoever that man was had done both, and I knew he wasn’t going to just let that ride.
The only thing that I could do was pray for him and do my best to reassure him that I was okay. Whatever he was planning, I needed him to have his head in the game and not to be worried about me. I needed him to make it back home to our baby and me. Nothing else mattered other than making sure my family was safe. And until he was good, my heart couldn’t truly rest and be at ease. So, while I wanted him out of the streets, I needed him to do whatever he did to make sure that once he got out, he was done for good.
EIGHTEEN
SINCERE
It had beena couple of days since Ethan thought it was a good idea to kidnap Kenedi, and I had been on ten ever since. I was doing my best to keep my rage under control while I ensured that Kenedi and my kid were straight, but now that I was sure she was good, it was time for me to take care of other business. What I had originally planned for Ethan wasn’t good enough now that he had touched what was mine. I had really hoped his ass would get the fucking picture and keep it moving, but clearly, that was out of the window now.
“So, after we handle this nigga, you’re really done with this shit, huh?” Mitch asked, passing me the blunt.
“Yep. It’s time for me to walk away from this shit while I still can. I don’t want to overstay my welcome,” I said, ashing what was left of the blunt.
“I hear that. It’s just crazy that not too long ago, we were talking about expanding, and now you’re walking away from everything. It couldn’t be me, but I definitely understand and respect it.”
“Yeah, love will have you doing some crazy things,” I said, shrugging.
I thought that when the day came for me to bow out, I would feel some kind of way about walking away, but honestly, the only thing that I felt was peace. While I loved both sides of my business, I could admit that no longer being involved in the street shit would make life a little bit easier and certainly more peaceful for myself and my woman. While it was never the plan to be here, I didn’t regret a thing.
