“You are something else, girl.”
“Ayo!” Lorenzo called from downstairs in the foyer as he entered their home. “Time to go!”
Caden covered Dru’s face in kisses before ending on her lips. “I gotta go handle some business, but I’ll be back in time for dinner, aight?”
Dru pouted as she nodded. “Okay, bae. Be safe.”
“Don’t pout. I’ll be back soon.”
“Yes, sir. I love you.”
“I love you too.”
He gave her another quick kiss before forcing himself to pull away. If he didn’t, he wouldn’t want to leave. Lorenzo waited until they were outside and headed toward his car to say, “Your mother-in-law called and said she has the money.”
Sucking his teeth, Caden held back a smile. “You ain’t shit for that. I’m surprised she got the money up, but I guess I shouldn’t be.”
“Nah. I mean, she’s taken on a hell of a lot of work since you paid her that visit. I told you Tina can get that money when she wants to, which was why I was even more surprised to hear that Dru was paying the rent and other bills.”
“Yeah.” Caden sighed and ran his hand over his waves. “At this point, I’m convinced Tina just uses her money on what she wants. Dru said she has a closet full of designer clothes and jewelry, and that she would randomly leave town for weeks at a time. She was out here living her best life while Dru was working herself to death.”
Just the thought of it was starting to piss him off.
Caden couldn’t wait until they were done with her for good.
“Well, do you want me to pick the money up tomorrow? She said she wants to take a break after this, and she’ll reup in about two weeks if you will allow her to.”
“Hell naw. After this, that bitch can’t do shit for me but die.” Lorenzo laughed as he pulled out of the circular driveway. “And since this is personal, I’ma pick the money up. I want her to see me give it to Dru, so she’ll know that’s who she’s been working for.”
“Bet. I know the little one is going to love that. I’ll let Tina know.”
“What doyou think about hitting up Chicago for the fall festival this weekend?” Caden asked as they pulled up in front of Tina’s house. “I know I’ve been a little busier than usual, so I want us to have some quality time.”
“I love the sound of that. And yes, you’ve been extra busy lately. How are you feeling?”
“It’s nothing I can’t handle.”
“I know. I just don’t want you to overdo it. You haven’t even been eating, bae. I want you to rest.”
“I will this weekend. I promise.”
Dru took his word, determined to make sure their trip was fun but also restful that weekend. She was already excited about the trip, and they hadn’t even started planning it yet. AfterCaden opened the door for her, they walked up the sidewalk, and Dru’s heart started to palpitate. Just being in the same room as Tina after being away from her had that anxious dread puddling in the pit of Dru’s stomach. She hadn’t had any panic attacks, anxiety spells, or heart palpitations since she’d moved out, and already, her heart was starting to misbehave.
Rubbing circles across her chest, she pulled in a deep breath.
Caden looked down at her, already catching on to what was happening. “You wanna wait in the car?”
“No, I’ll be fine. I want to see her face when I get this money.”
Caden chuckled before knocking on the door. If she was honest, Dru wanted to thank her mother too. The first and only good thing she’d ever done for her daughter was offer her to Caden.
The lock unlatched, and Dru’s eyes rolled as her teeth gritted. Her spine went rigid, body already bracing for the impact of Tina’s presence and words.
When Tina opened the door, she looked from Dru to Caden to their interlocked fingers. With a chuckle, she stepped to the side and let them enter.
“Had I known you’d bag one of the wealthiest men in The Syndicate, I would’ve let you stay home,” Tina said, closing the door behind them.
Caden gave her hand a gentle squeeze, and it was the reminder Dru needed to not even entertain her mother’s foolishness.
