Page 65 of A Don & His Doll

Monroe’s jaw tightened, but he listened attentively before responding. "Would it give you some peace if you and your mother stayed with me?"

"Yes, I'd like that," Monae answered.

Monroe nodded. That was all he needed to hear. "That means a lot to me, Muffin. I know trustin’ me wit’ this wasn’t easy, but I got’chu," Monroe told his daughter. "Don't ever be afraid to tell me anything. I will always be here for you no matter what," Monroe promised. "I'll talk to Sienna about our agreement, and I'll deal with my mother too."

“Thank you,” Monae replied. "I wish I could have met you sooner," she spoke from the heart.

Monroe couldn't lie to his daughter, especially not at a moment when she was so vulnerable. "Muffin...If I knew you existed, life would have been so much different."

Before Monae could ask what he meant, the sound of the back door opening carried across the patio. Sienna was back. Monroe stood, grabbed a towel, and wrapped it around Monae's shoulders.

"Come on," he smiled down at her. "We'll finish that conversation later." Monroe grabbed a towel and handed it to Monae.

Wrapped in a soft brown-colored silk robe, Macie stepped onto the terrace that was just outside of her master suite. This was her morning routine after an hour-long bath in her oversized jacuzzi that started at 5am. It's such a beautiful day, she thought as the breeze kissed her bronze-colored skin. Life had shifted so quickly in the last month, and she had herself to thank for that. She'd be lying to herself if she spent one second believing this day would never come. The truth is, not only had she anticipated it, she'd mentally prepared for it, and had thought through how she'd move when the time came.

Monroe had been weighing heavily on her mind, but not in the normal way mothers thought of their sons. She wasn't thinking of him because she missed him, and wanted to spend time with him. She wasn't thinking of him because of how proud she was of the man he'd become, or how hard he'd worked to become who he was. The reason he was on her mind was because she needed to find more ways to control his life. She needed new strategies on how to manipulate him into seeing things her way. Macie had tried explaining to her son time and time again that love wasn't meant for people like them, it’d happened to her already, and she refused to sit back and watch it happen again. A hard head would forever make a soft ass. She was sure of it. So sure, she'd gone out of her way to make sure of it.

Monroe Sr. had sacrificed everything for The Black Family Empire, even her. Macie had once thought that their love would stand forever. She didn't think that anything was powerful enough to eradicate what they shared. She knew the life her husband led, but their love was bulletproof, until it wasn't. Until the day a bullet took her husband away from her forever. Monroe Sr. had prepared her in more ways than one to walk in his shoes if it had ever come to that, but he hadn't taught her to be ruthless or malicious when it came to matters of the heart.

This was a trait that she'd developed after his death because she'd died and come back as someone else. No one noticed though. No one had paid close enough attention to her because she had appeared to be okay. She'd seemingly resumed responsibility, had the mind of a boss woman, and had shown signs of turning a new leaf when it came to The Black Family. All of this had been the truth, but her grief had turned her into a woman who hid well behind a mask.

Monroe Sr. had been the one who kept her balanced, and often kept her from jumping off the deep end. He was the only person capable of quieting the chaos inside her mind. His death had triggered Macie in the worst way. She couldn’t cling to her husband anymore, so she tried reaching for her son, but he wasn't available in the way she needed him because Sienna was in his life. Macie had even tried going to see a therapist, but that was short lived.

Macie had learned how to smile while unraveling. How to command a room while pieces of her fractured quietly beneath the surface. She buried herself in the empire, took control of the family business, and wore strength so convincingly that no one questioned whether it was real.

"Call that bitch Promise and tell her you need to meet with her today. It's time to eliminate her altogether," The voice slithered lowly with familiar authority, slipping through her thoughts so naturally she hardly questioned it anymore.

Macie smiled, feeling like this was the best time to make this move. She took a sip of her mimosa, reached for her phone, and scrolled to the text that her resource had sent her a few days prior that included Promise's phone number. After tapping the number, Macie hit the call button.

On the other side of town, Promise had been up for the last hour preparing for the day. She stood in the mirror flat ironing her hair.

"Hello," Promise answered, squinting her eyes, trying to make sure her part was straight.

"Promise, it's good to hear your voice," Macie said. "I'm sorry, but I'm not catching your voice. Who am I speaking with?" Promise quizzed with scrunched brows.

"This is Macie, Monroe's mother. I've scheduled a dinner reservation at Bar Pitti for tonight. I need you there at 8pm," Macie said.

"Um, that won't work for me," Promise pushed back, her discernment cautioning her immediately. "I can meet you at Frankies Spuntino's at 7pm," she countered.

Macie smiled, but hadn’t expected resistance this early.

"7pm. I'll be there," Macie agreed. "It's a beautiful day, Promise. You have a great one."

"You do the same," Promise replied, then disconnected the call, but something wasn’t sitting right in her spirit.

It’s time to remind these muthafuckas who you are, Macie said to herself. She was unmoved, however. She continued to enjoy the breeze and her mimosa as she meditated on ways to make Promise fear her.

Later On The Same Day…

Macie looked down at her phone, pissed off because it was fifteen minutes after seven, and Promise had just walked into the restaurant. She hated to admit it, but she was so beautiful she understood why her son was in love with her. As the waitress led Promise to the table, Macie sipped her wine, and observed the latest Louis Vuitton Gala Pumps that adorned her feet. Nothing irritated her more than someone who showed up late to meet with her.

"Promise," Macie half-greeted as Promise took her seat across from her.

"Macie," Promise replied, returning the same energy Macie exuded with raised brows.

"I thought a woman of your status would have more decorum. You’re late," Macie calmly stated. "You look beautiful though."

Promise ignored Macie's comment, giving the waitress her attention. "I'll have the Armand de Brignac, please," Promise placed her order, then sat comfortably across from Macie.