Where My Loyalties Lie 3

by K. C. Mills

  “You sure I have to wait?” Najah said and glanced down toward where their bodies connected. She could feel him growing beneath her.

  “I didn't say that I didn't want you, I just said that you had to wait. I need to make sure you're ready before I give you all this.”

  Najah rolled her eyes, which made him laugh. He was serious though. He knew what he was working with, and he wasn't about to have her strung out until he knew she had her head right.

  “So what’s up wit’ your shorty? He seems like a good little dude.”

  Gotti reached for the top of his bed and grabbed a pillow. After positioning it under his head, he leaned back until his head rest comfortably on it. His hands continued to move across Najah’s skin, even moving under her bra and caressing her breasts. His touch was driving Najah insane and making it extremely hard for her to focus, but she fought through it.

  “What’s there to say? He's my baby. He’s a hardheaded ass boy, and I see so much of his father in him. Too much, in fact. So much so that I really can't stand to look at him sometimes, but he's a good kid. Thank goodness for my brother because he keeps Trent in line. I don't know, I guess my son is my heart.”

  “I like the fact that you’re a real mom. I respect that. I see too many females who have kids and don't do shit with them or for them.”

  “Well, that’s not me. I love my son.”

  “I feel you.”

  “What about you?”

  “What about me?” Gotti's eyes were on her body again and he was currently unbuckling her belt.

  “Do you have kids?”

  A smirk spread across his face, but he kept his eyes on what he was doing, which was unbuttoning her jeans and then unzipping them. Once he had them open, he pulled the fabric farther apart and let his fingers glide across the skin above her panty line. Because it was such a sensitive area, Najah flinched, but kept her cool. She was struggling and on the verge of losing it, but she fought back the moan that was sitting in her throat and kept silent.

  “Nah, not yet, but I want some, just with the right person.”

  His eyes connected with hers for a second and then went right back to the skin that he had exposed from unbuttoning her jeans.

  “The right person, huh?”

  Najah’s breathing picked up a little because Gotti now had his fingers inside her jeans. They weren't inside her, just rubbing against the thin material of her panties that covered her center.

  “You alright, ma?”

  Gotti grinned, knowing exactly what he was doing. He watched her face change, which caused him to grow even harder beneath her, but Gotti had control. He just wanted to touch her body. He wasn't going to try to have sex with her, not yet. Gotti meant what he said about her being ready, and he’d had sex that morning with a shorty he was messing around with. She wasn't anybody serious, but he wasn't about to disrespect Najah by sliding in her after he had been with someone else.

  “I’m fine.”

  Najah leaned back just a little, placing her hands behind her on Gotti’s legs. She was fighting hard to hold onto the orgasm that was building in her because she didn't want him to know just how badly he was affecting her. It had been a minute since she had been that close to or handled by a man, so Gotti was really pushing her over the edge. It didn't last long, though, because out of nowhere he ended it. Just like that, he stopped.

  He removed his hand, began fastening her jeans and then handed her shirt to her. “Come on, let's roll. I wanna grab something to eat. What time do you have to pick your shorty up from school?”

  Najah grabbed her shirt, turned it the right way, and then pulled it over her head. She stared at Gotti, almost upset that he had her feeling so good and then just shut it off, but she kept it to herself.

  She didn't have to say anything because it was written all over her face.

  “Three fifteen,” she said, and tried to lift her body from his, but he grabbed her and held her in place.

  “You mad?” The smirk he wore made it worse.

  “About what?” Her stare was deadly, which made him smile harder.

  “Nothing, let’s go. We can eat, and then I’ll take you to get Trent.”

  He stood and lifted her from his lap. After he grabbed his phone and keys, they left his apartment. Once they were in his car and heading to eat, Gotti placed his hand on her leg and glanced at Najah for a second. She was quiet and he knew why.

  “Next time, just ask for what you want and I’ll give it to you, instead of pouting about it. But don't worry, ma, I’ll make you cum soon enough. Just be patient.”

  He turned her way and waited for her to look at him. She fought against it for as long as she could, but eventually she broke. When she did, he winked at her and then chuckled. As mad as Najah was, he had her feeling some type of way and she liked it. She had a feeling that Gotti was about to change her world.

  -5-

  Mini moved around Luther’s kitchen pretending to be busy. She had followed him out the bedroom and was now hovering, trying to find out what he was doing. The phone call he’d made to his old precinct had something to do with Logic, and as much as she wanted to pretend that she didn't care, she couldn't help but wonder what he was into. So she listened to Luther’s end of the conversation, trying to make sense of the situation.

  “Rah Tremble? What was the charge?... So with a record and that much cash, his lawyer got him out? Who the hell was his lawyer, God?... She must have called in some serious favors. Yeah, I appreciate it. Take care… you too.”

  Luther ended the call and looked right at Mini. He knew that she was listening and he didn't want to have a conversation with her about what Logic was into. It wasn't a secret, but that didn't mean he wanted to actually discuss it with her.

  “What’s that about?” she asked, eyes focused on him, arms folded across her chest, looking like she was about to handle somebody. Mini was tough, but she had no give with Luther, and she knew it.

  “Don't do that. The more you know, the more you worry. It was nothing, and he’s fine.” Luther placed his phone on the counter before walking over to kiss Mini’s cheek.

  “I know that name. Rah is the man Auggie almost shot in my house, so if you’re making calls to find out information about him, then it’s something.”

  “I’m not going to have this conversation with you, Mini,” Luther said firmly and he meant it.

  “That’s my son, Luther.”

  “You don't think I know that? Hell, he’s just as much my son as he is yours.”

  “Then don't act like I don't have the right to be worried about him.”

  “I’m not saying you can’t worry, but what I am saying is that he made his choice. You worrying won't change that.”

  Mini stood there watching him. Not saying a word. She was upset, but couldn't find the proper words to express it.

  “Look, you and I decided a long time ago not to let these kids come between what we have, and we’re sticking to that. I promised you to keep him safe as much as I can, and I’m doing that. In the streets and from you, if necessary.”

  “Me?” She pointed to her chest, looking surprised.

  “Yes, you, Mini. He needs to have his mind right while he's out there. That's the first step to him being safe, so that means he can't worry about things that might cloud his judgment, things like worrying about you. If he's worried about you, then he can't focus on what he needs to focus on to stay safe. So, yes, I’m protecting him from you by keeping you as far away from this situation as possible. That’s my son too, Mini. You know that, and I don't love the choice he made, but it was his to make. I will do anything I can to make sure he lives another day. I need you to trust me on that.”

  Luther’s hands caressed the sides of Mini’s face lovingly before he kissed her again. She knew that he was right, and as much as she hated it, she had to let it go.

  “You’re right. It's just hard. My babies are everything to me. You know that.”

  Luther smiled
as he grabbed Mini’s hand and led her to the living room. He sat down and then pulled her into his lap. Once she was comfortable, he spoke.

  “They’re not babies anymore, and they have to be responsible for the choices that they make. Najah, Augustus, and even Nova. You can't save them from themselves, Mini. They’re good kids. You raised them right. They’re all going to be fine, but right now it's time for you to focus on you. I need you to focus on us.”

  Mini smiled as she looked up at Luther’s handsome face. She loved this man with everything she was. His salt and pepper hair was cut low to his head and matched the neatly trimmed mustache and goatee that adorned his face. His almond shaped dark eyes where welcoming to her, the way they always stared intensely into her soul. At fifty-six years old, Luther was still very sexy to her. Not perfect, but in great shape for his age. In fact, aside from a barely noticeable mid-section, he was quite fit. His chest and arms where nicely defined as she leaned against their firmness and his arms circled her body. Luther was most definitely easy on the eyes.

  What made it even better was that he had a heart of gold. He was such a loving and caring man, even when she refused to accept it. For years, she’d kept her distance. Mostly because her focus was on her children, but after losing her son, she realized that life was short and she had to live. That was the only good thing that had come from the situation. After years of fighting against it, she had finally given in to Luther’s advances and decided to give him a chance. Hell, he had been there for her when no one else had. He gave her a job and sold her the home they lived in now for far less than she knew it was worth. He helped her start the business she owns now, and most importantly, he had been a father to her children when their own had refused to do so.

  After Mini left New York for Atlanta and got clean, she had contacted Hoover and made it clear that he would never be a part of her life again, but that he could be a father to his children. She remembered making the call as she sat at her kitchen table with Luther next to her, rubbing her back for support, even after he tried to convince her that it was a terrible idea.

  Hoover had laughed and told her good luck with her life and her bastard children. He ended the call by advising Mini that he would always be there when she was ready to come back to the streets, but until then, not to contact him. It broke her heart and she cried for hours and Luther was right there holding her. She eventually let it go, and did what she had to do for her children.

  Hoover was street raised. He was a pimp and had been her pimp as well as her pusher. Hoover was the reason she had been a prostitute and a junkie. Even after her kids, he still had her in the streets, letting her get clean long enough to ensure her children weren't born addicts, and then the second they were born, he doped her up again and put her back on the streets. Mini had welcomed the high. She needed it to get her through the hundreds of men she was sleeping with, doing unthinkable things with. But she eventually had enough.

  It took her daughter looking at her one night and asking if she would be like her when she grew up to be her wake up call. Mini had to change her life. Otherwise, her daughter would indeed have grown up to be just like her. Hoover would have made sure of it.

  So from that day on, she was mother and father to her children, until Luther walked into her life. And now, after all those years of him waiting, she was finally ready. He had promised to wait, and that he did, so the least she could do was be for him what he had been for her all these years.

  “I know, and I will. It's just hard, you know?” She offered a kiss before resting her head on his shoulder.

  *****

  Logic sat across from Joy at Intrigued, admiring her beauty as she listened to a local artist perform on stage. She seemed so into the song that she hadn't even noticed that he was watching her. Things had been so out of control with everything going on that Logic just needed a minute to step back. He had missed Joy, and as patient as she was being, he knew that she had missed him too. Logic loved that she didn't complain. She accepted everything he told her, and never once made him feel bad about the late nights and hours that he left her alone. She had proven to be someone he could rely on, and a woman who would support him without question. He loved that about her. Hell, he loved everything about her because he simply loved Joy.

  “I feel you watching me.” Joy grinned, but kept her eyes on the stage.

  Logic smiled at her confession.

  “You’re beautiful. I like what I see,” he said as he lifted his hand and let his fingers glide across her neck.

  They weren't side by side, but they were close. He needed her to be within reach so when the urge hit to touch her, he could.

  “You always say that, but you have to.” Joys eyes were on him this time as she leaned over slightly to sip from her straw without lifting her glass.

  Her statement made him smile again. “I don't have to say anything. I say it because it's true.”

  She looked him right in the eyes, lips in a thin line, and eyes not giving away her mood. “You have to because I’m yours.”

  Logic grabbed the seat of Joy’s chair and moved it closer to him so that their legs were touching and his hand was holding onto her chin. “You are mine, but that doesn't mean I have to say you’re beautiful. I say it because you are.”

  Logic kissed Joy with several light pecks before he slid is tongue into her mouth and gave her his all. He was addicted to the way her lips felt and tasted. After their kiss, Joy blushed and looked around. She caught Felicia watching the two of them and the way her face transformed into a frown caused Joy’s smile to quickly fade. Felicia was jealous, which made Joy wonder if she still had reason to be.

  “She’s not happy,” Joy said, leaning back in her chair as she began to play with the fries on the plate of food in front of her. They were what was left of the meal that she and Logic had shared, since neither of them were really hungry.

  Knowing that there were potentially a lot of “shes” in Intrigued that Joy could be referring to, he turned his head slightly to see who she was talking about. When his eyes met with Felicia’s and he noticed the hatred that radiated from them, he chuckled and kissed Joy again.

  “Her happiness is no concern of mine. She’s not you,” was his only explanation.

  “Does she have a reason to be?”

  “A reason to be what? Unhappy?”

  “Yeah, about you and me.”

  Logic looked at Joy and then lifted his beer. He turned it up and then set it on the table. “Of course she does, she wants what you have,” he said arrogantly, but only because he was stating the truth.

  Joy searched his face, trying to find meaning in his words before she released her next question. “When was the last time you were with her? I know you’ve been with her. I can tell.”

  He chuckled. Women always had things figured out, who you slept with and why. He thought it was cute that Joy was jealous, but she had nothing to worry about. “The first night we hung out.”

  Joy’s head popped up from her drink and she looked at him in disbelief. “You had sex with her and then hung out with me?”

  “No, I hung out with you and then had sex with her. We weren't together, Joy. What difference does that make? Especially now. I damn sure ain't with her now, and don't want to be.”

  She thought about it for a minute. It mattered to her, but he was right, they weren't together back then, so there wasn't really anything that she could say about it. But it still bothered her. Maybe that was why Felicia was so upset. Maybe there had been other times after that. She stared at him while the thought flowed through her head, but she didn't want an argument, so she left it alone.

  Logic stood, leaned over the back of her chair before nuzzling his face in her neck. He kissed it several times before he forced her head back enough to reach her lips.

  “I know your mind is doing summersaults. That was the last time I’ve been with anyone except you, so let it go. I’m all yours, and that's not going to change. I need to go hol
ler at Luther real quick. I’ll be right back.”

  He was still holding the sides of her face while her head tilted back against his stomach, so he kissed her one last time. After he smiled at her and released her face, Logic made his way to the back where Luther’s office was.

  Logic walked into Luther's office, causing him to look up. He sat across from Luther’s desk and leaned back.

  “Did you find out anything?” he tossed out casually.

  Luther pulled the glasses he was wearing from his face and held them in his hand as he leaned back and rocked slowly in his oversized leather chair. His eyes were on Logic as he mentally prepared to tell him what he knew.

  “Is it that bad?” Logic chuckled. He knew Luther well enough to know his mannerisms, and could tell he was stalling.

  “The person locked up was Rah Tremble. I’m sure you already knew that, which was why you asked,” Luther began.

  “Yeah, I figured. How long he in there for?” Logic was glad that Rah couldn't get to his family, especially Joy, but he still didn't want him in jail, he wanted him dead.

  “He’s out, his lawyer called in some really big favors. Because with his record and what they caught him with, there shouldn't have been any way for her to get him out, but she did it. She got him out a few hours after they locked him up.”

  “Fuck,” he mumbled under his breath. That put him right back at square one. He knew he had to find Rah before Rah found him.

  “I’m not going to ask what you have going on, but there’s something else you need to know.”

  “What's that?”

  Luther looked Logic right in the eyes. “Joy’s last name is Malone, right?”

  Logic remembered having a conversation with Luther about Joy’s parents. Shortly after, Luther looked into them both, even though he never discussed it with Logic.

  “Yeah, why?”

  “Marilyn Malone was the lawyer he called. That’s who got him out.”