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She offered Ashton and Ahmad a smile before she left. We made our way into the house and Kari grabbed Ahmad’s hand.
“Come on, Mr. Ahmad. Let me show you my room.”
I shook my head because he’d clearly seen her room that night, but I let her have it and so did he. They made their way upstairs, leaving Ashton and me alone. I looked at him and he looked at me.
Clearing his throat, he said, “I really am sorry about all of this.”
“You should be sorry for almost sending me to my death. Maybe somebody should have you snatched up out of your house in the middle of the night to see how you like it.”
He raised his hands in mock surrender. “I get it. I’m sure time with my brother was no walk in the park. If you can forgive him, surely you can forgive me.”
“I’ll think about it.”
He chuckled as he reached into his back pocket and pulled out a piece of paper. He twirled it between his fingers before handing it to me.
“What’s this?” I asked hesitantly.
“Just a little compensation for your troubles. I know it won’t make up for it, but I’d feel better if you took it.”
I frowned as I slowly took the check from him. Upon opening it, my eyes widened at the amount—three hundred and fifty thousand dollars. I pulled back my emotions as my eyes met his.
“Well… your guilt comes with a nice price tag. Thank you.”
“I should probably be thanking you.”
“For what?”
“I don’t know what you did to my brother, but he’s changing. He has a calmness to him I’ve never seen. To know Ahmad is to know he’s not the softest or most levelheaded person. I don’t know what it is about you and your daughter, but this is the most considerate and caring he’s ever been. That man told me he loved me, and he doesn’t say that shit. Whatever you’re doing, keep it up.”
I couldn’t help but giggle at that. “I haven’t done anything but give him the energy he puts out. He wasn’t my favorite person at first. I will admit, I capitalized off his OCD just to fuck with him, but we’re in a good space right now.”
“It’s a wonder you’re still here. He used to beat my ass for that same shit as a child. I was the asshole. I guess I was jealous because he did whatever he wanted while our parents kind of sheltered me. He’s my big brother, you know? I wanted to do everything he did. He never let me tag along and it pissed me off.”
“So you were the annoying little brother.”
He chuckled. “Pretty much. Me involving him with my PI firm was my way of finally teaming up with him. I guess I was hoping it brought us closer. He barely fucks with the family like that. I just missed him.”
My face softened. “I guess that’s sweet.”
“Look at you being a sentimental lil bitch,” we heard behind us.
I turned to see Ahmad on the bottom step of the stairs with a smirk. I wasn’t sure how long he’d been eavesdropping, but it was clear he heard the last part. Ashton shot him the middle finger.
“You see how he treats me?” he asked. “This nigga likes to act like he doesn’t love me.”
Ahmad chuckled as he came over and stood next to me.
“Rabbit is in the bathroom.”
“Are y’all staying to eat?” I asked.
“How clean is your nanny?” Ahmad countered.
Ashton held up a hand. “Speaking of the nanny... Is she single? ’Cause she’s fine as hell.”
I rolled my eyes. “She’s also twenty-one.”
He kissed his teeth. “Never mind.”
