by K. C. Mills
“I’m sorry, I didn't mean to—”
Logic chuckled as he entered his room and sat down next to her. “It's cool. I don't mind.”
He smiled when he noticed how she blushed at his approval. “Are these about me?”
she asked looking from the journal into his dark brown eyes.
“A lot of them are,” he said reaching for the journal, sliding it out of her small hands.
“How come you never performed these?” Joy asked.
“They were just for me. It allowed me to feel like I had something with you that no one else had,” Logic admitted truthfully. “Come on, let's eat.”
He stood, placing the journal on his dresser before reaching for Joy’s hands. Once she was on her feet, she was held in his embrace, while his lips connected with hers.
“I missed you today,” he confessed, before he led her back to the kitchen.
“You did?” Joy asked.
Logic laughed. “I think the proper response is, I missed you too Logic, but yes, I did.”
Joy leaned against the counter and watched, as Logic removed two plates from the cabinet and then set them next to the food she brought with her. “You already know I missed you so I shouldn't have to say it.”
He looked at her and smiled. Joy’s eyes traced his body, which was covered in a pair of black jeans that housed a slight sag as they hung low around his waist, and a black pocket tee, which exposed his muscular arms that were covered with strategically placed tattoos. She followed his arms up to his shoulders and then his neck which displayed a few more tattoos, one of which was his brother's name and years of life.
Logic grabbed his jeans by the waist and tugged them just a little until they moved up his narrow waist, and then fell low around it again as if he had never even touched them in the first place. It was a movement he did often and was sexy to Joy, although pointless, because the slight sag he had was consistent.
“You see something you like?” Logic asked as he loaded their plates with equal amounts of food. Joy ate just as much as he did, which amazed him every time he watched her do it. He was just happy that she wasn't the type to shy away from food for appearance sake.
“I see a lot I like,” Joy answered with a smug grin.
“Well I’ll be sure to address that later. Grab some drinks and let's eat,” Logic said over his shoulder, as he left the kitchen and made his way to the living room. Joy was right behind him carrying a beer for him and a bottle of water for herself.
“Tell me about your day,” Logic said just before stuffing his mouth.
Joy chuckled and then glanced at him holding a fork full of food. “You don't want to hear about my kids.”
“Yes I do, I bet you have a lot of stories to tell about those little bad asses.” A smirk formed on Logic’s face as he waited for Joy's reaction.
“Stop saying that, I told you my kids aren't bad.”
He laughed. “Yeah aight, I bet they do shit like lock each other in the bathroom and tie shoe strings together and shit. I know they’re bad. I don't know why you’re fronting.”
“You should come visit. You can be a guest speaker,” Joy said grinning at him.
“Hell no. The fuck I look like chilling with a bunch of damn kids and what the hell would I talk to them about, selling dope?” Logic laughed at the idea.
“You’re more than just that,” Joy said and frowned, even though she knew he was only joking.
“Shit Joy, I know that, but I don't think that's a good fit for me,” he said seriously.
“You’re good with your nephew, I think you would do fine. You can come color with them.” Joy offered up a playful smile.
“Nah, I’ll let you have that. I’m good with Trent because it's part time and I’m just used to him. I don't fuck with kids too tough.”
“What about your own?” Joy threw Logic with that statement, and he almost choked on his beer.
“The fuck you mean my own, I don't have no damn kids Joy.”
The look on his face was so serious that Joy burst out laughing. “I know that. I mean if you ever have kids of your own.”
Logic relaxed a little and set his half empty plate on the coffee table, before he took Joy's from her hands and placed it next to his. After that, he pulled her into his lap so that her legs her spewed across his and her side was pressed against his chest.
“You want to have my baby Joy?” Logic asked in a cocky tone.
“That is not what I meant,” Joy returned just before he kissed her lips, sucking gently on her bottom one and then releasing it.
“I didn't say that was what you meant, but I’m asking you if you want to have my baby.”
“One day, maybe.” Joy could see a future with Logic and that future included a child, but for now she just wanted to enjoy the two of them.
He laughed and then kissed her again, this time a little deeper with more passion. “I’m not saying tomorrow Joy, just one day.”
“Then yes.”
“Good, because you didn't really have a say in that shit anyway.”
Now Joy laughed. “I don't think it works like that but okay.”
“Trust me, it works like that.” Logic displayed a cocky grin after releasing his statement confidently.
“Hmm, I guess we’ll see won't we.”
*****
Logic lay next to Joy watching her sleep. He was on his side, propped up on his elbow with his head resting on a closed fist. His free hand glided down her cheek and occasionally through her hair. She was so beautiful to him and the more he lay there watching her, the more he fell under her spell. His emotions were tugging at the deepest part of his heart, because things were so complicated now. His life was complicated, which meant that her connection to him would surely make things difficult for her as well.
Rah kept creeping into his head, along with the murderous thoughts that flooded his mind about getting rid of him. Knowing that Rah once lay with Joy and had experienced what Logic was now claiming as his, infuriated him. Just that thought alone made him want to put a bullet in Rah’s head. Adding in the fact that Rah wanted his territory, only made it worse.
Logic’s intentions for the evening had originally been to question Joy about Rah, but the moment he was near her, he lost interest in hearing more about anything she had with Rah. He got caught up in just being with her and consumed by the idea of being inside her. Logic decided to save that for another day. For now, he just wanted to feel close to Joy. She calmed him in a way that no one else could and eased the tension of what he knew was to come: the war that was about to begin with Rah.
Logic’s phone ripped him from his sleep and he jumped at the sound of it vibrating next to his head, but within seconds of it going off, he had it in his hand and to his ear.
“I need you to get here. We have a problem.” Gotti’s voice was serious and firm, so Logic immediately knew that something had to be up. He knew better than to question him over the phone, so instead he answered with, “I’m on my way.”
He ended the call and looked down at Joy whose eyes were on him. This was the part that he didn't like; climbing out of bed in the middle of the night, to go deal with shit that only he was authorized to handle. Gotti and Lil Chris were well trained, and could do just about anything when it came to their business, but there were certain situations that needed Logic’s approval before they were handled. Logic knew it came with the territory, and if he weren't having to leave in the middle of the night while Joy was in his bed, it wouldn't have bothered him so much.
“You’re leaving?” Joy’s voice was soft, but he could still hear the disappointment, so he moved towards her bringing his lips to hers.
“If I didn't have to go I wouldn't.”
“It's fine, just be careful.” This life wasn't new to Joy. She had experienced many nights where Rah left her alone in his bed or hers, to go handle business or somebody.
“Hopefully I won't be long.” Again, Logic’s lips found Joy's. She was makin
g this hard for him. This was the first time he ever second guessed his decision to take care of business, and never once did Myesha have that effect on him. It was always business first, but with Joy he found himself having a mental war about whether or not he could actually leave.
Dressed in black jeans, a black hoodie and Timbs, gun strapped to his waist, Logic watched Joy who had drifted back to sleep. She was changing him and in ways that he wasn't ready to handle. He turned to leave, trying to shut her out of his mind because he needed to have his head right before he hit the streets. Logic had no idea what he was about to walk into, and Joy consuming his thoughts was definitely not a good look. As his door shut and he turned the key to lock it, he left everything he was feeling about Joy right there in his apartment and transformed into the Logic that had nothing to lose. That mindset was the only thing that would keep him safe.
-6-
The second Logic hit the last step to enter the basement, he knew something wasn't right. Gotti and Lil Chris had mugs on their faces and the few other members of his team that were in there with Gotti and Chris, looked like they were ready for battle.
“That’s my damn brother Logic, what the fuck we gone do? How the hell am I supposed to go home and face my moms knowing that Marlo is in the fucking hospital barely breathing?”
Zeeno was standing inches away from Logic clenching his gun, which was at his side. Logic eyed it, but knew that no matter what had gone down, Zeeno wasn't about to use it on him. So he ignored his soldier who was standing in front of him and made eye contact with Gotti, looking for and explanation about what had everyone so fucked up.
“Rah’s people hit our spot. They beat Marlo and left him for dead. Pulled him in the alley back behind Carter’s. I think they set him up because he knows better than to make moves alone, but they got him good Logic. They don't know if he's gonna make it.”
“He’s gonna fucking make it,” Zeeno said with a confidence that only a brother could have.
“Let's take a ride,” Logic said looking right at Zeeno.
“You need me to go?” Gotti asked.
“Nah, you’re good. Handle shit around here. Make sure our people know to be on the lookout. This won't happen again.”
Gotti had been given his command. He nodded and watched as Zeeno and Logic left the basement. Logic led, with Zeeno right behind him. The two men walked to Logic’s car, got in, and Logic pulled off.
The ride through College Park was quiet. Logic was in his head the entire time. He had been right where Zeeno was just a few months ago, with his brother Bernard, but the difference was that back then when shit went down, Logic knew his brother wasn’t going to make it, while Zeeno was praying that his did.
They parked a few blocks away from where Rah’s team usually worked and after his car was off, Logic looked Zeeno right in the eyes. “Pick one, any one you want.”
Logic raised his hand and pointed towards his windshield down the block and two men he knew worked for Rah.
“I don't know who it was.” Zeeno looked up confused but Logic spoke again.
“Doesn't matter, we’ll take them all out one by one, until we get the right one, if that’s what you need. I don’t give a fuck. You mess with my people and you mess with me. We’re team, so you asked me what the fuck we’re gonna do, well this is what we’re gonna do.”
Logic meant every word he said. There was no hesitation whatsoever. Rah started a war and he was damn sure not going to back away from it.
Zeeno’s eyes followed the men as they moved around clueless to the fact that their lives were hanging in the wind.
“I’ll do whatever you need me to do to make this right. When I said we’re family, I meant that shit so you tell me what you need.”
“Take me to the hospital,” Zeeno finally spoke up. The urge to kill, to get revenge was pulsing through his body, but his need for his brother to be okay was that much stronger. Right now, all he wanted was to check on his brother and make sure he was good.
Logic started his car and then looked at his soldier. “Whoever did that shit will pay. I promise you that. I’m giving you my word.”
Zeeno nodded and Logic pulled off, en route to the hospital so that Zeeno could sit with his brother. Logic went in for a minute and eyed his badly beaten body. Marlo’s face was black and blue, swollen and eyes shut tight. He had several broken bones in his face and body from where they stomped him after they beat him. It was hard to look at. Unlike Donte, Logic felt a sense of responsibility for all of his people, and to see Marlo lying there fighting for his life hit him hard. Logic wasn't soft by any means and he knew that this came with the territory, but it still hit him hard every time he had to witness it.
After speaking with the family and promising Zeeno that he would cover any expenses that they needed, Logic left. Before long, he was back on his block sitting in his car. His mind was working a lightning speed trying to figure out his next move. It wasn't as simple as just walking up to Rah and shooting him. He knew that, but this war Rah started was only the beginning. This was the part he didn't like. There was always somebody somewhere that felt like they could try you, take your shit and run it better than you. Logic had plans to handle anyone who tried, and Rah would be first.
Logic was so wrapped up in his head that he didn't see Gotti approach his car until he tapped the passenger side window. Logic pointed to it signaling for him to get in, which he did.
“What now? We can't let that shit slide Logic.”
“We’re not, trust me. We also can't be reckless. That’s what he wants. If we react without thinking, then we’ll make mistakes. We can't afford mistakes. I'm responsible for these guys, so when shit like this happens, I take it personal.”
Gotti let Logic’s words sink in for a minute before he spoke. “Sleep on it. We’ll talk tomorrow. Go home, I got this shit for tonight.”
Logic knew that there wasn't really anything he could do, but he felt it necessary to be around. As much as he wanted to go home and wrap his body around Joy’s, he had to show support for his team. They needed him right now. His presence spoke more than any words he could offer them. If he respected them enough to be shoulder to shoulder with them, then they would trust him enough to follow his lead when the time was right.
“Nah, I’m gonna chill here for a minute,” was all that Logic offered up before he opened his door to get out. Gotti didn't need an explanation. Logic’s actions spoke for themselves so he nodded and let it go.
*****
Joy was fully dressed and finishing her hair when Logic finally walked through the door that morning. It was just after six and the second she laid eyes on him, she knew that he was tired and even more than that, she could see the stress radiating from his body. He smiled when she rounded the corner after hearing him enter his apartment, shutting the door behind him, but she could still see his worries hidden behind his smile. His mind was heavy and she wanted desperately to fix that for him.
After approaching him and sliding her arms around his neck, she pressed her lips against his, while his hands moved up her back. He pulled her into his body and returned a kiss that was a little deeper than the one she offered up. Her presence eased his mind a little and he couldn't help but connect it to the idea of this situation being a constant in his life.
“Damn you smell good. Why the hell you need to smell like fruit and shit just to go spend your day with those little bad ass kids?” Logic wore a devilish grin as he pulled back from Joy just enough to look into her eyes. Business was business and right now, he didn't want to bring that into what he and Joy had.
“You’re gonna stop calling my kids bad and maybe I wanted to smell good for you.” Joy offered up a smirk of her own before blessing him with another kiss, while attempting to pull his body closer to hers.
“Oh yeah?”
“Yeah.” Joy released her hold on Logic and turned to head towards his bedroom. He followed close behind, watching her knee-length skirt cling nicely to her ass
. He was currently processing the idea of sliding in her prior to her leaving for work.
Once they both reached his bedroom, Logic began removing his clothes while Joy added the finishing touches to hers. She watched him through the mirror on his dresser, as he removed his layers exposing his nicely toned body. The smile she plastered all over her face expressed approval. Logic moved behind her, his body fully exposed with the exception of the navy boxer briefs that he wore. His arms snaked around her waist while pressing his body firmly against hers.
“Keep that shit up and you’ll be calling in.” Logic spoke into her neck before kissing it.
Joy just laughed. “Keep what up?”
“Smiling at me like you see something you like while you're looking and smelling like this.” Logic kissed Joy's neck multiple times before she pulled away. She knew that if he kept up that behavior she surely wouldn't be able to leave.
He just chuckled as he collected the clothes that he had just removed and tossed them into his hamper.
“I have to go. Are we doing something later?”
“We can, if that’s what you want.”
“Maybe.” Joy didn't want to seem too eager but in all honesty, she would be content spending every free second she had with him.
“Call me when you get off.” Logic moved past Joy, and kissed her on the cheek before leaving his room. She grabbed her purse and keys, purposely leaving her bags. Her plan was to return later so there was no point in collecting her things.
Once she hit the tiny hallway just outside Logic’s room, she found him in his linen closet grabbing a towel and washcloth so that he could shower. He turned when he felt Joy near him.
“You change your mind?” Logic’s expression was inviting, and Joy eyed his body while biting her bottom lip momentarily and then releasing it.
“Bye, I’ll call you later.” She stepped towards him stealing one last kiss and then left, before she changed her mind. Logic’s presence was addictive to her and she was falling deeper and deeper with every second he was in her life.