Heart of the Hustle

by A'zayler

  Angel maneuvered around their things and helped her into the chair before standing behind her. Being that a few other men had already come and grabbed their bags, he was free to push her. They moved through the people and out toward the car that Mack and Zulema had sent for them.

  They spotted it as soon as they got into the parking lot. The driver was out and trying to help him with Snow, but he didn’t need that.

  “I got her. You can go ahead.” Angel ushered the man away.

  On the ride over to Snow’s parents’ house, she could hardly sit still. Angel enjoyed watching her get so excited, but he was ready to get with Mack so they could handle business. He’d already informed him of everything that had transpired, and Mack had been making arrangements to get them there to him ever since. Though Angel had expected nothing less, he was still grateful.

  “Did you tell your parents we’re together?” Angel asked Snow.

  “I didn’t tell my papa. My mama knows.”

  “Well, that means he knows as well.”

  They smiled at each other but said nothing else. Angel watched her as his mind drifted. He was so tired, but he knew he wouldn’t rest until he’d gotten everything figured out and his family was safe. That was a promise.

  Chapter Twenty-two

  He makes you unfocused

  The winding road to the East estate was nothing short of amazing. From the tall water fountains to the various statues placed around the yard, it was a delight. The black iron fence circling the property was tall with the letter E engraved in every other bar. The grass was neatly trimmed with multicolored flower beds on both sides of the door.

  Snow’s eyes danced as she eyed one of her most favorite places. It felt like it had been forever since she’d been home, and she was glad to finally be there. She was sure her father was happier than she was. He’d been worrying her about coming back every time they spoke on the phone. Now he’d finally gotten his wish.

  “Baby, you good?” Snow asked Angel.

  His face was just as calm as it always was, only this time it was accompanied by heavy bags beneath his eyes and stress lines across his forehead. She could tell he’d been trying to hold it together all day, but everything happening around them was weighing heavily on him.

  “As long as I have you, I’ll forever be good.”

  Snow’s heart warmed, prompting her to reach for his hand. “How can you be as tired as you are but still find the strength to make me feel good?”

  “Because you make me whole and right. I don’t know any other way to be when you’re near me.”

  He looked so comfortable and casual that Snow almost forgot he was a part-time doctor, part-time drug lord. Everything about his appearance screamed that he was just a normal young hustler living life. From the way he wore his Jordan sneakers halfway laced up, to the subtle sag of his pants. On his wrist was a large gold watch, while a thin gold chain and bracelet decorated the rest of his body.

  “Stop staring at me.” Angel’s baritone voice drew Snow’s eyes back to his face. “I’m not going nowhere. I’m all yours.”

  “Leave me alone, Angel. Ain’t nobody staring at your ass.”

  Angel smiled and rubbed his hand down the sides of his face playfully. “I know a nigga sexy and shit, but you ain’t got to be all in my grill like you are.”

  Snow giggled uncontrollably. “You better be glad my body all jacked up, or I would be all in more than just your grill.”

  “Swear?”

  “I swear.” She winked.

  “Bet. I can probably handle you a little bit later. Let me get some sleep and some food, and I’m tearing your ass up.”

  “I’ll be waiting.” She smiled at him before looking out the window.

  The car had just come to a stop at the top of their driveway. She looked around as she waited for the driver to come around and open the door. Once he did, Angel got out first. He grabbed all of their bags and set them near the door before going back for her.

  “Slide this way so I can grab you.”

  Snow did as she was told, and he pulled her the rest of the way to take the pressure off her shoulder. When she was fully out of the car, he helped her into the wheelchair and headed for the entrance of the home. In true best friend style, Zulema was out of the door greeting them in the driveway before they could even get to the door.

  With open arms, Zulema hugged Angel first before bending down and nearly snatching Snow out of her wheelchair. “Look at y’all! I’ve been waiting in that window all morning.”

  Angel laughed at her. “You and Empress need to find y’all something else to do.”

  “Don’t talk about me and my friend. Y’all just better be glad we love y’all’s asses.” Zulema beamed at Angel, then Snow. “Look at my baby. I’m so glad you’re here, mama.”

  “Me too, Mommy. I missed y’all.”

  “Good. Y’all hungry? I cooked.” She grabbed Snow’s purse from her. “Push her on in here, Angel, so that y’all can sit down and eat.”

  Angel pushed Snow inside the house and toward the kitchen. Old memories hit Snow all at once as they passed through the foyer, then into the great room. She and Angel had spent many days and nights in there playing games and training. It was crazy how fast time went by, because it seemed like it was just yesterday when they’d hit her house for some sort of snack before heading to the gun range or to a training meeting.

  “Damn, it’s been a long time,” Angel said from behind her.

  “I swear I was just thinking the same thing,” Snow replied.

  “We had some good times up in here.”

  “Too many good times, from my understanding,” Zulema said over her shoulder.

  Snow’s hand went straight to her face as she palmed her forehead. Zulema was always talking and never caring about anything she said. “Mommy, stop.”

  “Ain’t no point in being ashamed now. Y’all wasn’t ashamed when y’all had y’all young asses up in here fucking around.”

  Angel’s laughter made Snow feel better about her mother’s mouth. He was chuckling so hard behind her that she ended up joining him. “I swear her and Empress should be sisters and not best friends. She be saying all that out-of-line shit just like my mama.”

  “I’ma pop you in your mouth just like Empress too, if you cuss like I’m not standing here again,” Zulema said.

  “My fault, Mrs. Z.”

  As they rounded the corner to the kitchen, Zulema turned to face them again. “From what Empress tells me, you might as well call me your mother-in-law now, right?”

  Once again, Snow was hiding behind her hand while her mother embarrassed her further. Angel, on the other hand, was the total opposite. He was eating Zulema’s nonsense up whole.

  “She told you right.” Angel moved the chairs around and parked Snow at the table. “I’ma marry my baby as soon as I figure out what’s up with all of this mess going on around us.”

  Zulema’s eyes bulged dramatically as she covered her mouth giddily. “Oh, Emelia, he said he’s going to marry you, girl. You heard that?”

  Snow was just about to tell her mother she’d heard Angel loud and clear, but her father interrupted her before she could.

  “Marry who? Who’s getting married?” Mack walked into the kitchen slowly.

  His long gray hair was in the same braid he’d worn at the back of his neck for as far back as Snow could remember. His reddish-brown skin was wrinkled and rough from the many years of hard work he’d put in. He was dressed in all black with a pair of black and gold loafers on.

  “Don’t everybody speak at once. What’s with this marriage talk that I heard?”

  Snow wasn’t sure about Angel, but she wasn’t about to respond to Mack. He was known for going a little off the deep end when it came to her, and she had no plans to open that can of worms tonight.

  “Mack, ain’t nobody scared of your old ass.” Zulema’s voice took away the seriousness of the room, but Angel’s brought it right back.

>   “I said as soon as I can figure out what’s going on, I’m marrying Emelia.” Angel took a few steps toward Mack and extended his hand.

  Mack’s thick eyebrows scrunched up together as he studied Angel’s hand for a little longer than necessary, in Snow’s opinion.

  “Mack.” Angel’s voice was a lot sterner than what Snow was accustomed to, but she was happy that he was standing his ground. “You’re going to act like you don’t know me?”

  That last statement was most definitely something Snow could agree on. Her father was seriously standing there as if he hadn’t known Angel his entire life. Furthermore, as if he hadn’t invited him to his house. Angel had told Snow all about his and Mack’s conversation while they were on the plane. Snow had been elated to hear that her father had ushered them out to California without a second thought.

  “Daddy.” Snow called his name, he looked at her.

  For the first time since he’d walked into the kitchen, his eyes softened. He didn’t smile, but he did bypass Angel to hug his daughter. Snow didn’t appreciate his dismissal of Angel, but she was happy to be in his arms again. It had been many months since she’d felt his embrace, and she welcomed it. Her father was the love of her life, just as Zulema was, but she was a daddy’s girl.

  “How are you, darling?” Mack smiled at her.

  Snow’s eyes darted to Angel as soon as her father released her, before going back to Mack’s face. She could tell from his expression that he didn’t appreciate her checking for Angel before answering him, but he didn’t speak on it. She knew her father, and she knew when he was angry.

  “I’m fine, Papa. I missed you.”

  He patted her hand before looking at the bandaged leg that Angel had propped up. “He taking care of you?” Mack nodded in Angel’s direction but didn’t look at him.

  “Papa, yes. He’s the only thing that’s been making my time in the South bearable. Angel is truly heaven sent.”

  Mack grumbled before rising back to his feet and walking over to Angel. Though Angel’s hand was no longer stuck out for a handshake, Mack grabbed it anyway. He shook it firmly before releasing it again. “I’m glad to see you again, son.”

  Angel’s face told that he wasn’t sure what to think, but he just went with it anyway. “Likewise. It’s been a long time.”

  “That is has. It’s terrible that it had to be on these terms for me to see the both of you again.”

  “Agreed, but life in South Carolina has been pretty hectic.”

  Mack nodded. “It’s not easy being the boss.”

  Angel nodded but didn’t say anything else, and Snow couldn’t blame him. Her father was being downright rude, and she couldn’t understand why. Mack had always loved Angel, but he’d treated him terribly for the short time they’d been there. Snow didn’t know what it was but chose to believe maybe it was because he now knew Angel as her man, and not her friend.

  “Angel, go sit next to Snow so you can eat, baby,” Zulema instructed.

  Angel nodded obediently. “Yes, ma’am.”

  Snow watched him walk toward her and wanted to cry. He was so sweet and worthy of way more respect and hospitality than what her father was giving him right then. She loved Angel so deeply in her soul that if he grabbed her wheelchair right then and rolled her from her house, she’d go with no reservations.

  “I love you,” Snow whispered to Angel as soon as he was close enough.

  Angel stopped in mid-stride and leaned down to kiss the top of her head. “I love you too. Don’t worry about me.” He kissed her hair again before taking his seat.

  When Snow looked toward her parents, her mother’s smile was out of this world, while her father had his own frown thing going on. Snow turned her head and totally disregarded him. He was acting nasty for nothing, and she wouldn’t entertain it.

  For the rest of the time they ate lunch, Zulema and Angel did most of the talking. Mack barely said anything, while Snow matched his mood. Just like he didn’t care for Angel’s presence, she didn’t care for his. After the continuous failed attempts at talking to Mack, Angel focused solely on Zulema. That pissed Snow off to no end, and that was most definitely not what her father wanted.

  “Snow, are you not feeling well, darling?” Mack asked her from across the table.

  “I’m fine, actually. How are you?”

  “Could be better.”

  “And what is it that’s ailing you?” She leaned forward a little in her chair but shuddered in pain.

  Angel, Zulema, and her father all jumped to her rescue, but being that Angel was sitting right next to her, he was able to tend to her first.

  Angel’s voice was low as he stood to check on her arm. “You okay?”

  Snow nodded, but her shoulder was on fire.

  “Don’t lie. Let me know so I can make it better.”

  Snow tried to suppress her smile. There he was again, making everything sound so sexual. She was positive it was her fault and not his, but she couldn’t help it.

  “How you gon’ make it better?” She smiled at him over her shoulder.

  “I’ma kiss it,” he whispered.

  “Well in that case, it was my—”

  “Listen, little fast ass, remember your parents are sitting here before you say something inappropriate,” Zulema warned her. “Empress told me about y’all touchy-feely asses.”

  Neither Snow nor Angel could hold their laughter after that. Angel had even leaned partially over her shoulder as they laughed.

  Zulema snickered along with them as well. “I just had to go ahead and throw that out there, because you sounded like you were about to take it there.”

  Snow covered her mouth as she blushed. “I was not. I was about to tell him it was my shoulder.”

  Angel wasted no time going to her shoulder and probing it in certain areas. He was so gentle with her as he moved it around, checking the bandage for bleeding. Snow thought it was the cutest thing how he was so attentive to her wounds. The skillful way he moved his hands was so comforting, she could see why he wanted to be a doctor so badly. And for the first time since being back with him, she wanted that for him as well.

  His compassion toward her might have been a little extra due to their relationship, but she was sure he would show his patients no less.

  “How does that feel?” Angel asked Snow.

  “Too much touching. All you two do is touch, touch, touch.” Mack threw his hands up in the air. “You’re not focused, Emelia. He makes you unfocused.” Mack’s tone was harsh, emphasizing how angry he was. “This is why this happened to you.” He motioned his hands toward her shoulder and leg. “You’re not focused, Emelia! I taught you better than this.” Mack rose from his chair. “Better than to be some foolish girl chasing after love,” he grumbled to himself as he headed for the exit.

  “Mack, watch the way you’re speaking to her,” Angel stood tall and voiced firmly.

  Mack waved Angel off and gave his attention to Snow only. “Love loves no one, Emelia! No one!” he yelled before leaving the kitchen.

  Snow’s eyes watered continuously. Every time she wiped them, more tears came. She was so wounded by her father’s outburst that she couldn’t even calm herself down.

  “Emelia, stop crying, baby.” Her mother grabbed her hand. “Ignore your father. He’s just not used to sharing you with anyone. He’s afraid that your love for Angel will get in the way of the bond you and he share. He doesn’t mean anything he’s saying.”

  Snow continued to cry. “Yes, he does, he does mean it. Daddy always means what he says.” She broke down crying again.

  “Not this time, sweetie. He’s just afraid that you’ll fall in love and forget to be your own woman.”

  “I would never do anything to change her.” Angel leaned down and kissed the side of her wet face. “Stop crying, Emelia. What he said doesn’t matter. You and I both know that the way we love each other will only make us grow. That bullshit he’s yelling about means nothing. You can love me and be focu
sed at the same time. This didn’t happen because you’re unfocused.” He used her chin to turn her head toward him. “Look at me.”

  Snow sniffed hard and wiped at her face feverishly.

  “He wasn’t in that bank with you, I was. He didn’t see the way you were busting your guns. He didn’t see how you took those bullets like a soldier, he doesn’t see how you run shit in South Carolina. I know that’s your daddy, but fuck him. You’re focused as fuck and I see you.” Angel grabbed both sides of her face. “You hear me? I see you.”

  Snow was trying her hardest to keep from crying as she listened to Angel. He was right. He was so right, but it still felt wrong to have her father disappointed in her. She’d spent her entire life doing things to make him proud, and the one time she did something for herself, he made her feel like a piece of dirt.

  “Stop all that damn crying.” Angel grabbed her face and placed several kisses on her mouth before looking at Zulema. “I’m sorry for cursing like that, Mrs. Z, but she needs to know that she doesn’t have to accept that shit. Not even from Mack. After all of the work that Snow has put in, he should have never come at her sideways like that.” Angel took his seat but pulled it closer to Snow’s chair so that he could wrap his arm around her. “He may be her father, but I’m not going to let him or anyone else hurt her.”

  Zulema’s eyes were wet with a sheen of tears as she nodded in agreement. “I just love you, Angel.” She wiped her eyes as her smile returned. “I just love you, baby. You are just the type of man that every mother wants for her daughter.” She sniffed. “All I’ve ever wanted for my baby was for her to find a man to love her the way she deserves to be loved.”

  “Mommy,” Snow cried to her. “I don’t know what Daddy wants me to do. I’m not leaving Angel.”

  “And I don’t expect you to, baby. Don’t you dare ruin your happiness for your father. I’ve been with him and loving his old stubborn ass for years. Who is he to think he can stop you from having the same thing?” Zulema waved her hand toward the door Mack had just left through. “I know how much you love Angel, so love your man. I’ll worry about your father.”