Page 66 of A Capo’s Love: Featuring A Don’s Love

“You still blew up a building, a camper, and an expensive car… that’s out of control… working with emotions and being sort of pussy whipped.” Roy chuckled when he finished signing.

“I said it made me better, nigga… Not perfect.” I glared at him.

“You never gon’ stop mentioning that shit.” I gave him a pointed look, annoyed that it was the third time today he brought it up.

Roy laughed harder. He leaned back deeper into the couch and looked toward La’Nova’s camper thoughtfully as his laugh simmered down.

“You think La’Nova really knows how much you in love with her yet?”

I lifted my hands to sign back ‘yes’ but paused when I replayed his question again in my mind. I nodded my head slowly before signing.

“I think… she thinks I’m infatuated with her… she knows I’m weakened by her in many ways. La’Nova knows I love her… I plan to actually date her although I never dated before… not even with Sanarah…. After a couple of dates… I guess I’ll ask her if she knows how in love with her I am,” I admitted to a lot of things in one response.

“I never dated either,” Roy responded with his hands. “I always paid for pussy; even before I had access to women at House of Angels.” He lowered his hands then started to bounce his right knee.

He stared at the ground without looking up like something was weighing on his mental. I spoke to get his attention.

“She left your house,” I whispered with a knowing look on my face.

“She did.” Roy finally looked up. “I let her, of course… thought it would be for the best. She’s been gone for eight days now, and I want to go back over to that nigga Maniac house and kidnap her pretty, tall, thick ass again… But maybe it’s the sex… man,” he drawled, running one hand across his face. “It was the best fuckin’ sex I’ve ever had… and maybe that’s what’s clouding my judgment.”

“Or it could be real chemistry…” I signed. “You felt something for Amaris before sleeping with her.”

“True.” He roughly sighed.

“So, date her now… be a gentleman and take the time to really get to know her. Ask her what she likes to do then maybe you can implement those things into the dates you plan for y’all.”

“You plan on doing that with La’Nova?” He asked.

“I do… I’m trying to create better memories while it’s early.” I pointed at Novae.

“She doesn’t have to accept the other kids, not even for me… but I know she will. The interior of Nova baby is love… I felt it, saw it flicker then dim behind her eyes. Nothing about us and the way we came about is normal… I just want to create better memories for her and of her for me.” I relaxed my hands against the seat.

La’Nova… La’Nova… I said out loud in my head. God really sent her to me despite knowing the hard truths and secrets about her. I couldn’t do nothing but embrace it because I wanted her in my life no matter what. Fuck what others thought. She was my cause and cure.

The garage hummed around us; I glanced over at Novae then became content with watching her sleep peacefully in the presence of Roy and I. This was downtime for us. Nothing chaotic going on for now while we worked out the kinks of our personal lives.

I leaned back deeper into the chair, rubbing my thumb slowly against the scar on my throat just as Roy lifted his hands again.

“You a real man, Luca.” He tapped his chest firmly.

Compliments always made me feel a way receiving them, especially from people whose opinions actually mattered. Roy kept signing before I could brush it off.

“I’m serious, not playing,” he continued.

“Since we were kids… I always admired you. Even while you admired Kentrell blindly, I still admired the kind of heart and persona you had.”

My chest tightened from his admission. Thoughts of how much I admired Kentrell came crashing into the forefront of my mind vividly. I loved my big brother a lot growing up.

“You always understood things deeper than everybody else.” The overhead lights reflected across his gold watch while his fingers moved steadily through the silence.

“You always patient, even when you got every reason not to be… that’s why you the perfect Don. Ain’t nobody like you, Luca. I hope you take the time to sometimes be proud of yourself and the man you continue to grow into, even when the most important people no longer here to cheer you on.” Roy spoke lowly now. I heard the emotions in his voice as it cracked after every couple of words.

I wanted to shake my head because perfect wasn’t a word that belonged near me. Not after all the blood attached to my decisions. Roy kept going before I could argue.

“Dontrell taught us a lot… but you taught me to lead with understanding instead of fear… Look at our table and the less work we have to do as Don and Capo. Shit so organized, we have time on our hands to have these kind of talks… to start families of our own… this is what Di Lucas and Dontrell grinded so hard for… Every man sitting around our table works in unity… I swear I love this shit… but I love you more.” Roy’s eyes misted over just as my shoulders relaxed in acceptance.

“It takes a hell of a man to make people feel safe around power. Niggas not walking round on eggshells or plotting to go against you cause they know it ain’t a thoroughbred like you… as a brother…” His voice cracked.