Page 101 of Mia

“Baby, I know my way around a gun and I got bodies. My wife, son, nor daughter,” he added, cupping my chin, “are about to go overseas to fuck some shit up without me. That was my grandbaby. Poppa will come out of retirement on her behalf.”

My daddy slapped hands with him. “So my kids ain’t the only one keeping me in some shit.”

Maceo chuckled. “It’s a family affair. We’re about to roll in there deep.”

Jaeda stood from her chair and went over to the digital wall that she and Quaid had installed. She tapped the screen, and the entire wall lit up.

“Yo, that’s dope as hell,” Silas said. “I knew y’all were some super geeks, but this is next level.”

Booker laughed. “How much y’all spent on this shit?”

Jaeda rolled her eyes. “It was a push present from my husband.”

“Damn, Quaid. Most niggas buy cars or some shit. I see you, big money.”

Quaid flipped him off. “Stop minding my pockets before I drain your accounts.”

Everybody laughed because he could, in fact, drain that man’s account. While they pulled up everything, Titan sat on the couch and pulled me onto his lap. His arms wrapped around me from behind, and he placed several kisses to my arms. I couldn’t help but blush as he whispered in my ear. We didn’t realize we were being watched until the silence in the room broke our interaction. Looking up, we noticed everybody watching us.

“What?” I asked.

Noah smirked. “Nothing. We’re just used to y’all bickering all the damn time. This cutesy shit is taking some getting used to. Y’all look all in love and shit. It’s nice.”

Deuce snorted. “They’ll be bickering. It’s just a matter of time.”

“Aye, Pop,” Maceo said to our father. “Is there any way we can move Mia’s house away from the rest of us? This nigga lives there full time now. I don’t wanna hear that shit when they get started.”

“Right,” Smoke agreed. “Move their ass over by the stables.”

“All of all can kiss my ass,” Titan said. “We communicate now. That’s some growth for your ass.”

“Tell them, brother-in-law!” Jaeda said, laughing. “Y’all are gonna leave my brother and sister alone.”

Smoke waved her off. “You only taking up for him because you and Quaid took him in when he was homeless.”

Titan frowned. “I ain’t ever been homeless. The fuck you talking ‘bout?”

“Y’all shut the hell up!” Daddy yelled. “Goddamn. Y’all get started and lose all focus. Just a room full of ADHD-having ass niggas.”

My brothers stared at him before breaking into laughter.

“Don’t bust a blood vessel, Senior,” Deuce said, waving him off. “A’ight, Jae. The floor is yours.”

“Thank you,” she said, rubbing her stomach. “Okay, so Quaid and I have been able to track JacQues’ movements over the last couple of weeks. We have a man on the inside that’s been helping out.”

“How did y’all pull that off?” I asked.

“My security company,” Quaid answered. “I secured a global deal a few months back. I just so happened to be opening an office in Paris, along with a few other locations. One of my current employees is there, manning the operation.”

“How do we know we can trust them?” Deuce asked. “I don’t know how I feel about a nigga I don’t know being all in our business.”

“He’s been vetted,” Daddy said. “Background check cleared. No criminal record. He’s basically another Quaid. Not a threat. No offense, son. Smoke, don’t start.”

Smoke had just opened his mouth to say something smart but raised his hands in surrender.

“Plus,” Daddy added. “He’s been paid handsomely to get shit done. And I have somebody on him at all times to make sure he’s on the up and up too.”

“So, what’s the guy doing?” I asked.