Mecca was sitting in a man’s lap that looked a lot like August, but from what I thought she had another man but that was not my business to mind, so I moved along. Ms. Leona and Aunt Pam were over by the grill assisting Pops, while Dr. Gibson pretended not to be ogling him from the bar. Again, not my business, Tyra was sitting at the table closest to the back door typing away on her phone with a big goofy smile on her face. I couldn’t wait to ask her what that was about, but I would get to that after I found the man I was looking for.
And then I spotted him standing tall and fine as ever in a blue linen short set that matched our sons. He was holding Peace against his chest as he sipped on a drink in his hand and people watched. I walked up behind him, wrapping my arms around his waist, pushing myself under that arm.
“I was wondering when you were gon come out and get us.”
“You know I wouldn’t leave you out here by yourself for too long. You know you don’t know how to act.” I laughed.
“I’m getting better. What kind of example would that be for the children if I showed off out here.” He smirked.
“Have you met the kids in this family? That ship has sailed; it is far too late to set a good example. I’m sure all of those kids are armed right now.” I chuckled watching them enjoy themselves on the swings and slide next to Timberly’s dollhouse.
“You right, I guess we can switch it up with Peace.”
“Did you forget he was born at a military installation in the middle of a war with a human trafficker. He’ll be field stripping weapons before he starts kindergarten if Black has his way.”
And this time it was my turn to smirk as he thought back to all the things that we had overcome in the last year. I am so glad that I listened to my inner hoe and said yes when a stranger seduced me at a gala. Who would have guessed ending the night face down ass up in the back of his SUV would have led to all of this, this newfound family that we have curated together.
Our circle wasn’t big, but it was deadly and each one of us would kill or die for the other. Family wasn’t something that you suffered through or kept around just because they were your blood. Family was the chosen few that you invited into your life for a lifetime because they loved you not because you shared the same blood but because you shared the same spirit.
Chapter 17
Crew
The smellof smoke and grilled meat floated through the backyard cocooning us in a bubble of summertime nostalgia. There were still armed guards posted around the property, that would never change but now they were more for decoration and intimidation of the average criminal. My family was free to live out loud without the worry of being killed or taken away. Peace and the triplets were sleeping in the little screened in tent that Ms. Leona had gotten out for them to nap in on warm summer days like this, while their sisters and cousins ran around the backyard playing tag with nerf guns and super soakers. Timberly and Tati had DJ pinned down behind a tree while he yelled at them about cheating.
“It’s not fair. Y'all are cheating.”
“It is too. Uncle Black said to use your enemies’ weaknesses to draw them out. You are in love with Tati, so I teamed up with her to get closer to you.” She shouted.
I couldn’t do nothin’ but laugh because that shit was funny, but so true. Baby girl had figured out what it took adults years to learn. Black and Blue sat across from me on the deck smirking at the monsters that they had created.
“You just mad that I have better aim.” DJ shouted.
“Boy please, you know Timber and I have the best aim.” Tati said, with a hand on her hip.
“If that was true it wouldn’t take two of you to take me down then.” He yelled from behind the tree.
The funniest part was that he was so worried about the girls teaming up on him that he did see the ambush coming from behind. Amyi, Kema, Tyra and Mecca flanked his position and were creeping up on him with water balloons and buckets of water. By the time he realized something was wrong he was soaking wet. His wet clothes didn’t stop him from chasing the girls down and trying to get them back.
This was the life I had always dreamed of, sitting with family and friends, watching our children grow up happy and healthy. Timberly had been through so much this year and at first, we worried that she would carry the weight of all the death and trauma she’s witnessed. But she hasn’t let anything stop her, she was a very resilient child, not letting anything keep her down. She was still the same funny, happy kid, full of love and kindness, who saw the good in me the moment we met.
Everyone who ever threatened that joy inside her was now rotting in the ground. The Harris’s had long been dealt with partially by us and the rest by Valdez himself. Their family name had been dragged through the mud after some incriminating evidence of their corruption and illegal misuse of the legal system had been accidentally leaked to a few major news networks. Anyone that had ever done dealings with them soon renounced even knowing of their existence, rather than being seen as an accomplice to any of their crimes.
Valdez’s ex-wife and son made it back home safely. I was a man of my word, and they had honored our agreement, so I had honored mine. After the announcement of Valdez’s death was made public, his son took over his empire, just as Valdez had planned. The only thing he hadn’t planned for was thathis son wasn’t a sadistic bastard like him. Him and his mother dismantled Valdez’s entire illegal empire, selling off what could be sold and free those who had been stolen, even going as far as compensating his victims and helping them with relocation. After everything was said and done the tyranny of the Valdez family would end with his father. And as long as he kept it that way neither he or his mother had anything to fear from me.
“Why are you in my business? Was I harassing you when you and Crew first met, no. I was hyping you up to get your back blown out but nawl. So why can’t I get my back blown out in peace. You nosey that’s ya problem.” Tyra said, shaking her finger at Nova.
“I’m just trying to see who got my friend smiling at her phone like that. Your mean ass don’t do all that lovey-dovey shit as you call it so spill bitch,” Nova said.
“I am not mean. I’m a very sweet individual.” Tyra tried and failed to convince everyone.
“You have never been sweet, and you talk a lot of shit. So again, who is this man and what has he done to you to have you laughing and key keying at your phone? Don’t make me get Blue to hack your shit. You know he’ll do it.” Nova said, looking over at Blue who was looking innocent of all allegations.
“Whatever tramp. Crew get your nosey ass wife.” Tyra huffed, rolling her eyes.
“They're good dudes.” Blue said quietly.
I knew that nigga had already done a background check as soon as Nova said something. But then what he had said hit me.
