by Briann Danae
“Thank you. I see why Amiya keeps you around. You stay feeding her.”
Soterio smirked. “Food ain’t the only thing I be feeding her spoiled ass.”
“Soterio!” Amiya fussed, shoving him in the arm. “Don’t get put out talking crazy.”
Tossing his arm over her shoulder, he pulled her into his side and kissed her lips. “Yeah, a’ight. You need anything else before I leave?”
“You just got here though,” Amiya pouted, wrapping her arms around him like the spoiled brat she was.
Anika chuckled and shook her head. “Boy, you have your hands full with this one.”
Soterio stuffed his hands in the back pocket of her jeans as Amiya swayed them from side to side. “I’m already knowing.”
Leaning down, he whispered something in her ear that had Amiya blushing like crazy before they walked off.
“Don’t be all loud either!” Anika yelled out jokingly, before dipping her fries inside her frosty and shoving them in her mouth.
Fast food had never been her thing, but after not gaining much weight during her first trimester, her appetite appeared again. After revealing to Lano her pregnancy, Anika was still in her feelings and decided to go home for a few days. Those few days turned into weeks, and she hadn’t gone to visit Lano since her pregnancy announcement. Being around her family put her in a good space not just mentally, but physically and emotionally as well. The love and support they’d been showering her with is exactly what’d she been missing while in California. And, while pregnant she didn’t want any negativity to even tap at her door.
Lano wasn’t too much worried about not seeing her face, but if she was safe and out of harm’s way, he was content. As her stomach grew though, the stronger his urges were to be near her. Just to breathe the same air as Anika would suffice through his stint. Having eyes on her through his family and the security he hired, Lano was almost content, but he wouldn’t sleep easily until he was home and could keep watch on her himself.
“You wanna see some of the pictures?” Maliya asked, walking her way.
She and Amiya couldn’t deny being sisters if they tried. Long legs, caramel skin complexion, full lips, and slim frames with just the perfect amount of assets were their look. They were both beautiful young women and never had to do much to get attention. Their personalities and business savvy ways are what caused for them to have such a flourishing clothing line. Entrepreneurship ran in their blood, so it was only right for them to be young bosses in their early twenties.
Anika nodded her head. “I guess. Me and all this belly,” she chuckled.
Clicking through the photos on her T6 Rebel camera, Maliya watched Anika’s facial expressions with each photo she saw. They wanted the line to be sexy, yet comfortable for expecting mommies, and had nailed it. Jogging suits, negligees, dresses, jeans, and a new collection slash color for their signature tees were set to release in two weeks. Tears prickled Anika’s eyes seeing the photos. Her baby bump was evident and more than anything, she looked like a pro.
“I can’t believe these,” she said blinking back tears.
Maliya smiled softly, sweeping her larger than life curly fro from her face. “Believe it, Nika. You look good, mama. The camera only captures what it sees.”
Anika snickered. “You’re right about that. Can you print me some of them off to send Lano?”
“Mhm. Just let me know which ones before we leave, and I got you.”
“Definitely the lingerie ones. Hopefully, they’ll let me send those through,” she said just as the buzzer for the door echoed.
Anika’s body froze up hearing the sound. The warehouse was secure as ever, and you could only be let in if someone buzzed you in or you had a code to the door. Telling herself to relax a little, Anika looked toward the door where Maliya was standing talking to a black male in business attire. Figuring it was business related, she went back to munching on her food until they approached her.
“Nika, this guy is here to see you,” Maliya said.
Instantly, Anika’s mind went to Lano. Lord, please don’t let anything be wrong with him. She said her silent prayer and looked up at the man.
“Hello. How can I help you?”
“How are you? My names Rodney and I was asked to deliver a package to you.”
Hesitantly, Anika took the envelope from his outstretched hand and looked Maliya’s way. She shrugged with a slight grin on her face as she discreetly recorded on her camera. Opening the envelope, Anika hesitated once she saw the pink slip and blinked with bafflement. A soft gasped escaped her, and the words she tried to get out became wedged in her throat.
“A-Are you… is he serious right now?” She questioned, eyes shooting up to Rodney who in return nodded.
“Yes, ma’am. If you’d like to step outside with me, I’ll show you just how serious he is.”
On shaking limbs, Anika stood to her feet as Maliya got a clear shot of the expression on her face. Anika’s stomach flip-flopped the quick walk to the door and could have fallen out of her ass at what greeted her in the parking lot. On cue, her phone rang, and she didn’t even have to check the screen to know it was her boo calling. Versed, she accepted his call and breathed hard into the receiver. She was speechless.
Lano chuckled. “What up, bae. You get your gift?”
“Baaae,” she cried, walking over to her new toy. “DeLano! Oh my God. H-How did you even get this?”
“Don’t worry bout’ all that. You like it?”
The tenderness in his question made her heart bloom. Every day, Lano amazed Anika and proved to her that his love for her was never going to waver. Since he’s been away, the only thing she missed was him physically. Not seeing him was rough, except for on visits, but that was it. His phone calls, attentiveness and support for her health and baby she was carrying was appreciated more than he knew. This gift right here may have taken the cake, though.
In front of Anika with a blue bow on top, was a brand-new Lamborghini Urus. With the Jag he had just purchased not even six months ago being a target, Lano had her get rid of the car. She’d been driving a BMW, which she loved, but he wanted to upgrade her right quick. A phone call down to a cat named Esmin from St. Louis, who had a connect at the Lamborghini Store, got Lano right on together. Thanks to Solai who had been hush hush about the ride, Anika was now the owner of a new Lambo truck.
“I love it. I love it so much. How much was this? Don’t be spending all our money on a damn car. We have a baby on the way, court fees, I’m looking at a new house…”
“Anika,” he called out, stopping her rambling.
“Hmm?”
“Get in and tell me how you like it. I ain’t no broke nigga, so money isn’t my concern, and it shouldn’t be yours.”
At the sound of his voice and demand, Anika hopped in, and her eyes lit up. “Nah,” she chuckled in disbelief. “You sure this is mine, and you didn’t buy it for yourself?”
Lano laughed a deep, warm, rich laugh sincerely amused by her apprehensiveness. “Nik. Baby. It’s all yours. My gift to you until I touch down and bless you with something else.”
His calm delivery of words sent a tingling jolt up Anika’s spine from her feet. She couldn’t wait to visit him next week.
“Oooh. I can’t wait to come and see you. Thank you so much, baby.”
“You’re welcome. How you and my baby doing?”
She ran her hand over the soft, black leather and smiled. “Shoot. We’re good now.”
There was a trace of laughter in her voice, and that made Lano feel ten times better than what he had been feeling. Jail was for the strong only. The things he had endured in such a short period of being there would have broken a weaker man. A man not of his stature or one who didn’t hold weight. So many niggas had tried Lano, but off his name alone he had niggas going to bat for him. Majority of the fights that had broken out within his three months of being there were because of him. More so his name, because Lano didn’t start shit with them ni
ggas; there were always a few wanting to play tough and got their asses handed to them.
“I’m for real. You been getting enough sleep? Did you write down your goals for the week? How was your doctor’s appointment?”
Lano rattled off his questions so quickly, but Anika was used to them. On the days they did talk, he made sure to always put her needs first. He needed for her to be in a good space mentally at all times. She had her days where she was sad, but Lano’s affirmations he spoke to her on a daily reminded her that she was a woman, and women go through shit. He was just there to love her through it.
“I sleep at the weirdest times, you know that. I wrote them down this morning before I came to the warehouse with your cousins. And, it was good. The baby is growing so much.”
“Solai said you’d be there,” he said, lowkey giving up his partner in crime. “How you feel about that?”
Anything photography wise was a touchy subject, but Anika was tired of letting what happened to her hold her back from what she truly loved. That was nothing but the devil and last time she checked, she only served one God. A faithful one who would always have her back.
“You know,” she stammered. “I feel good actually. I had to have a little pep talk with myself, but I made it through it. You’ll be getting some pictures in the mail soon.”
Lano licked his lips, already envisioning his boo with her thick ass and round belly. “I’m proud of you, Nik. You can do anything you put your mind to. Know that shit.”
“Thank you, Mr. Trevino. Now, tell me about what’s been going on with you?”
Getting comfortable in her new ride, she and Lano talked until his time was up. Anika climbed out with a huge grin on her face and her heart full of his loving. It was one thing for a man to tell you he loved you, but for him to show and prove it consistently was the type of energy Anika had prayed for. The type of man she prayed for and had received. They were going through a test right now, but she knew they’d pass it with flying colors. It was the only way.
Back inside, Maliya was printing off her pictures when Amiya and Soterio walked out of her office. Placing a kiss on her lips and giving them a head nod, he headed out the door. Floating on an orgasmic high, Amiya sauntered over to them adjusting the “S” chain dangling from her neck. It was a gift from Soterio on Christmas, and it was the only one she liked wearing now.
“What?” Amiya asked as her sister and Anika gave her funny looks.
“You gon’ end up just like me,” Anika said rubbing her belly.
Amiya waved her off. “Not even. I make him strap up all the time. I’m too invested into my business to be getting pregnant. Nope. I’m good.”
“Speaking of business,” Maliya said swiveling her chair around to face the duo. “We know you were looking for work and with us starting this new maternity line and wanting to branch off into a plus-size line, we’d love for you to partner with us.”
Any more surprises and Anika was sure she’d go into early labor. “Are y’all serious right now? Don’t make me cry.”
“Bitch stay crying now,” Amiya snickered handing her some tissue.
“Shut up. She’s emotional. We’re serious though. I posted a picture on our page with your face cut off and I swear the responses we are getting are crazy. You were meant for this industry, whether you think so or not,” Maliya reassured.
Instead of venturing out and hiring a stranger to run a business with, the twins were keeping it in the family. Anika was a quick learner, so they were sure she’d catch on. If not, she was ready and willing to be taught and take any classes to master her craft.
“Partner with you as in model the clothes?” she asked.
“Girl, yes and become a silent owner. No one would know but us, our lawyers and family. We love running MAG Co. and are extremely blessed, but we know this is only the beginning. Why not share our wealth with you? Shit, we don’t trust anyone enough to partner with anyway,” Amiya scoffed, and Maliya nodded agreeing with her sister.
MAG Co. which stood for Maliya Amiya Giordano Company was booming in their hometown and across the United States. They’d been wanting to branch out but was waiting for the perfect opportunity and time to ask Anika. Tired of pushing it back, they figured now was a better time than any especially with Anika being pregnant.
Nodding her head, Anika pulled them both into a hug making them laugh. “Yes. I’ma get all y’all back for making me cry like this. I’d be honored to run this bomb ass business with y’all.”
Maliya clapped her hands together. “Yes! Now, let’s get to business. Can I upload a few more pictures to our social media pages?”
Sighing with content and pure happiness, Anika nodded. “Go ahead. It’s time to make a reappearance anyway. I’ve been missing in action for months now.”
“Might as well show these bitches you ain’t lost it,” Amiya sang, doing a quick twerk.
Smiling, Maliya turned on some music, and the trio danced, celebrating their new business venture. Things were starting to look up for Anika, now all she needed was for Lano to come home so they could experience her pregnancy together. Everything else was not of her concern anymore. If it didn’t make her happy and feed positivity to her soul, Anika wanted no parts of it.
Chapter 11
Visiting her man in jail never seemed to get easier. As weeks passed, Anika promised she was going to smack the shit out of the judge who sentenced him for no reason at all. As Lano stared into Anika’s soul sitting across from him, he saw nothing but the love she carried for him. It flowed through her veins, ran over in any cup, and clouded any room she stepped into. People had no choice but to breathe it in and become overindulged in it because Anika was filled to the brim with love.
Nasty thoughts invaded her mind as she stared back. Lano’s frame had thickened up some, hair was untamed, chin hair grown out more, mustache thicker, and toffee-colored skin still smooth as ever. The guard had to clear his throat when he came out. Lano had his hands all over Anika’s body, not giving a fuck about the protocol. It’d been much too long since he saw his boo; he was copping a feel or two. She was nearing the end of five months, and the baby could be felt moving around now.
“What’s the good news you couldn’t wait to tell me?” Lano asked wanting to hear everything she had been doing like they hadn’t talked on the phone every day.
Smiling, Anika tucked a piece of hair behind her ear. “So, you know I did a shoot with Maliya and Amiya right?” Lano nodded. “Well, this big clothing company based in New York called Purity reached out to me. They offered me a modeling contract bae.”
“Damn, Nik. For real? That’s what’s up. What’d you tell them?”
“I said I’d get back to them after I read over it. What you think I should do?”
His input mattered. It always would, no matter the circumstances.
“You already know what I’ma say. I think you should do it. I would say have my lawyer look into it, but that nigga Seth on some bullshit right now,” he grumbled, and Anika frowned.
“What’s going on? I just talked to him last week.”
“Yeah… a lot of shit can change in a week.”
His voice was low, but still alarming enough to let Anika whatever news he had received wasn’t good. And, it wasn’t. Lano explained what Seth told him to Anika and she immediately got sick to her stomach. With his trial being pushed back, Lano knew they had to be playing some type of games. The truth was, the gun they charged him for had come back as missing evidence in a homicide case. Saon’s homicide case.
The ballistic report on the gun had come back, and Seth nor Lano could believe it. Right when he was making progress, someone threw a monkey wrench in his plans. How a gun from that many years ago suddenly popped up out the blue was weird and suspect as hell. Lano knew for a fact he hadn’t been in town the time Saon was murdered, nor did he have any involvement. Whoever had been holding onto the gun for that long, planted it, and was trying to make Lano out to be something he wasn’t
.
“Awww, bae. That’s so fucked up,” Anika said. The pain on his face and in hate in his heart was a dangerous combination.
“It is, but I’m good. I know what the real is. Let’s not talk about that though. Tell me what’s been going on with you, besides you bossing up on a nigga. Get you a new whip and think you hot shit, huh?” he joked making her laugh.
“That’s all you making me feel this way. Juvie’s so pissed you bought me my truck. Solai’s ass won’t give him a break,” she chuckled.
“I’m already knowing. He better step his game up,” Lano chuckled and got serious. “You still riding with me, Nik?”
“Of course, bae. Why you acting like you don’t know?”
Lano scratched at his head and sighed. “I’m just asking. Needing that reassurance. A nigga’s head be fucked up in here, and then I think about you and my baby. I swear y’all the only reason I haven’t snapped out on one of these fuck niggas that keep trying me, Nik. On God.”
“Listen to me,” Anika demanded. “Don’t let these niggas in here, who have nothing to live for, take your life. This season of your life is only temporary. That’s what the system is designed to make you feel like; like you can’t make it out but fuck that. You are going to come up out of this jam and prove everyone wrong who doubted you. And guess what? I’ma be right by your side. You’re a King; your crown is just getting altered to fit once you come out with nothing but knowledge and power.”
I’ma put a fat ass rock on her hand. Shit, she already carrying my legacy. I wonder if she mind getting married out the country? Thoughts of life beyond the bars, past the drama in their life invaded Lano’s thoughts as Anika’s words settled his roaring anger. On his worst days, he could always count on Anika to be his calm after the storm. Grabbing her hand, he placed a kiss to the inside of her wrist as his dark, love-filled eyes gazed into hers.
“I needed to see your face today,” he sighed. “You don’t even know what you do to a nigga’s soul Nik.”