The blue suit he had on looked so good against his cinnamon-brown skin. It may have been his favorite color in general, but it was her favorite color to see him in.
“My favorite color on my favorite girl,” Caden complimented, wrapping her in his arms.
“I picked it just for you.”
“Mm,” Caden moaned within his throat before tilting her head and kissing her lips.
When Dru felt her nipples harden and chill bumps cover her arms, she gently pushed him away. “I got something for you,” she purred, using his hand to lead him toward the dining room.
“Oh yeah? What is it?”
“You’ll see.”
When they made it to the dining room and Caden saw what she’d done, his jaw literally dropped. Dru looked from him to the room, smiling in pride. There was a large bouquet with three dozen red roses in the center of the table. Several candles lined the table, and there were a few in the corners of the dining room as well. October London played softly in the background, and the lighting was low, accentuated with red mood lighting she’d picked up on the way in.
“You did this for me?” Caden asked, apparently in disbelief.
“Yes. I know it’s not a lot, but I just . . . wanted to say thank you for everything you’ve done for me and my sister. You’re so kind and giving, and your heart is so pure. I’m blessed to have met you.”
“You didn’t have to thank me for anything I’ve done, but I do love and appreciate this, beautiful. I’m kind of peeved you got me that big ass bouquet though.”
“Why?” she asked through her laughter as Caden pulled her chair out for her.
“Because the biggest gangster gives the biggest bouquets. And whoever gives the biggest bouquet cares the most.” With a lowered tone, as if he was talking to himself, Caden added, “I’ma have to get a bigger bouquet for you tomorrow,” with a serious expression that only made her laugh harder.
“Who the hell madethatrule?”
“OGs, baby. Just go along with it.” Dru laughed as he sat down. “Nah, but seriously, that’s a quote from one of my favorite movies.”
“Oh.A Bronx Tale,right?”
“Right.”
“I bet you watched all the mafia and gangster movies growing up, huh?”
“Damn right. Even with me growing up in the hood, I never thought I’d be who I am, you know? Shit just kind of happened. I was so good at selling weed as a teenager and in college that I just upgraded after I graduated.”
“Do you plan on being a part of The Syndicate forever?”
Caden considered her question carefully as she fixed his plate.
“Not forever. Making seven figures was the game plan, and then I said I’d leave. Now I want eight figures before I leave.”
“Do you really think you’ll leave then? I feel like since money is unending, it’s kind of hard to be satisfied when you have financial goals.”
“You’re absolutely right,” Caden said, pouring them both a glass of wine. “I think I’ll be satisfied with that. It’ll be more than enough for me and the generations of our kids and their kids that will come. More than anything, I feel like I didn’t retire when I hit a million because the business had become so large, and so many people depended on me. Now, I know I have to have an exit plan. With what I do, I can’t just up and quit. There’s a lot of moving parts and people relying on me and the moneythey make working for me. So by the time I become a billionaire, I will have had enough time to get an exit plan in place.”
“Good. I’d never try to change you, and I accept you as you are, but I can’t lie and say it’s not scary thinking about falling in love with a man who does something illegal. Like, I’m not a punk bitch, so I’ll be down for you, but the thought of losing my man in a street war or to prison for the rest of his life . . . that’s a lot.”
“I like that you’re finally acknowledging that I’m your man,” he started, making her blush before she took a sip of her wine, “and I hear what you’re saying. That fear is valid and fair, and it’s something my parents struggle with too.”
“But you don’t?”
“Nah. When it’s my time, it’s my time. Whether I die from a bullet, an accident, or a heart attack. And as far as prison is concerned, this is the life I’ve chosen to live. I have to be just as okay with the consequences as I am with the rewards that come from the choices I make. It’s all about making sure I’m careful and that I never have to deal with the consequences.”
He said it so simply she couldn’t help but smile as she rubbed the back of his neck. “Mr. Gambler,” she teased, making him chuckle. “Just make sure you don’t leave me any time soon.”
“I won’t. Now that I got you, it’s going to take a hell of a lot more than some bars and walls to keep me away from you.”
