Page 95 of Finessed By A Hood White Boy

“Yo! Have them cut the fuckin’ music! I need to make sure this muthafucka can hear my lady clear as day,” he shouted to Duke.

Duke stepped over to the ropes and signaled for the DJ to cut the music. People on the dance floor talked shit, making all kinds of noises as they wondered what was going on.

“Amore.” Ethan brought my attention back to him. “Repeat what you said.” His baby blues sank into my brown eyes, putting me in a trance.

“I said, I love you.”

The corners of his mouth stretched from ear to ear, which made me smirk as he placed a kiss on my lips.

“I love you too,” he said before turning his attention back to Rob.

“This is how you wanna move?” Rob spat. “I was going to spare you, bitch! It’s all good though. I always get the last laugh, baby. You know that.” He nodded.

I could tell his ego was torn to shreds with the shit Ethan pulled. I had never seen anyone completely put him in his place and have him speechless. I found it slightly amusing because I knew how embarrassed he was. I could feel it radiating off of him.

“We’ll see about that.” Ethan stepped back in front of me.

He motioned his hand toward the DJ, signaling him to play the music again.

“Get this muthafucka outta here.” He nodded to the guys standing behind Rob.

Rob looked back in confusion.

“Yeah, they work for us now.” Ethan chuckled. “Y’all go ahead and clear out, so me and my lady can finish enjoying our night.”

As they escorted Rob out, he talked shit the entire time. He called himself getting buck and trying to push past the guys to confront Ethan, but it was a waste of energy. I poured myself another double shot and sat down. I wasn’t sure how I felt, but I knew Ethan had opened the door to more chaos by pulling that move. I knew one way or the other, Rob was going to retaliate once again in an attempt to ruin my character and my life. I wanted to be mad at Ethan for being so bold, but deep down, I couldn’t bring myself to actually express that.

“You okay?” he asked.

“Um huh.” I nodded, taking my shot.

He sat down beside me before moving me onto his lap and wrapping his arms around me.

“Tell me what you’re thinking right now.” He kissed my bare shoulder.

“Nothing.” I shook my head.

“You sure?” He gazed into my eyes like he was trying to read me.

“I can’t believe you did that.”

“Is that a good or bad thing?” he questioned.

“Both.” I shrugged.

“That’s what you call a power move. I had to show him that I can’t be fucked with. And…he also needed to see a real man stand beside you. Talking about it wasn’t enough, I needed him to see with his own eyes. I had to step in on your behalf and hit that Uno reverse on his ass. He’s not the only one that can snatch shit away. Congratulations on your new business, by the way.”

I sat shaking my head because basically, all he said was he had to show and prove that his nuts were bigger than Rob’s. I literally stood in the middle of an ego war and watched Ethan win. When a man’s ego is broken by another man, sometimes that shit ends in a tragedy. I knew how hard Rob worked to maintain a successful business. The club was literally his pride and joy. I didn’t know how Ethan did it, but without me and his club, Rob had nothing.

“I didn’t like how you did that. He’s going⁠—”

“He’s not going to do anything,” he cut me off. “Moving forward, all I want you to focus on is elevation. I don’t want you worrying about him. He can try to come for you all he wants, but I’ll never let anything bad happen to you.” He caressed the nape of my neck.

“And if I upset you, I apologize. That wasn’t my intention.” He stared into my eyes.

I believed him and I trusted him. However, I was just nervous about the trouble I knew was possibly heading my way.

Last night was one of those nights that I laid in bed stirred up with all types of emotions. After Ethan and I left the club, we went back to his place for a few hours. He fucked me through his mattress, then dropped back off at Aja’s. He wanted me to stay the night but I declined. I still couldn’t wrap my head around what had taken place. Not only did Ethan secretly buy the club, but he waited until I was standing beside him to announce it to Rob. Ethan had been making bold moves. I even asked him how he was able to buy the club without Rob knowing but he wouldn’t tell me.