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“I don’t see how Pey doesn’t feel you staring at him,” she said, wrapping her arm around mine.
“He probably just too pussy to acknowledge it.”
“You really like my sister, huh?”
“Yeah… I do.”
“Don’t give up on her, Aspen. She’s stubborn and holding on because she doesn’t want to be wrong about him… just like I didn’t want to be wrong about Gino. But one day…” Her head shook as she sighed. “One day she’s going to reach her breaking point and leave like I did.”
“I need that day to come soon. I’m tryna figure out why I like her ass so much.”
Enjell giggled as she stood. “Just keep doing what you’re doing.” She cupped my chin and made me look at her. “It’s working. I promise.”
The Next Morning
While I waited for Blaze to pull up, I called Merc to get a feel for this client I’d taken on for him. He’d retired to focus on his family and training academy and had split his clients my best friend, Blaze, and me. So far, things had been good. I’d been juggling doing security and being a bodyguard for his people with the rest of my responsibilities. This last client, however, was becoming difficult. I wanted to check in with Merc to see if it was just me or if he’d been having issues with him as well.
I scanned the parking lot as the phone ring, making sure Blaze hadn’t arrived yet.
“Hello?” Merc answered, and the sound of a baby squealing instantly made me smile. He’d just had baby number two with his wife, Neo, and Merci was the sweetest baby girl in life. Marz was taking being her big brother seriously. He was like a little bodyguard anytime I went over to see them.
“You busy?”
“Nah, wassup? You good?”
With a hard exhale, I looked toward the front door of the building Thomas was waiting for us in.
“Did you have any issues with Thomas while you were guarding him? He seems… I don’t know. Like he’s looking for trouble.”
“Hmm… I had never thought about it like that, but now that you mention it, that’s a good way to describe it. He seemed to always be in some shit. I assumed that’s why he wanted my services. The more I think about it, the more it could have been his doing.”
My head shook as I cut my car off. I got the vibe from Thomas that he was a rich man who had few pleasures in life. Because of that, he sought excitement in any way possible. Whether that was a night in Vegas with a prostitute or starting a fight. He’d come into his money by winning the lottery and became so paranoid about who he could trust that he cut his family and friends off. Now, he seemed lonely, and that made me feel sorry for him.
“I’ma stay on, but you know my style. I’m defensive, not offensive.”
Merc sighed. “Yeah, I know. Y’all ain’t gon’ get along if he’s doing what you think he’s doing. I don’t want you to feel obligated to keep the contract if he’s more trouble than the money is worth. If you need to end it, do it.”
I bobbed my head as I watched Blaze pull into the parking lot.
“If I have to make that decision, I feel better about it knowing I have your approval. I’ma do what’s best for me regardless, but I know you put a lot on the line to get me these contracts since me and Blaze are new to the network. If I can avoid it, I’ll stay on.”
“Just keep me posted. I know you’ll do the right thing.”
“Aight, bet.”
I disconnected the call and got out of my car. Blaze wasn’t on this contract with me, but any time I had to meet with a client, he came along. I was on the same wave with him. We were fully capable of taking care of ourselves, but it felt good having someone by your side.
It had never been my intention to be a protector. I never wanted to be a bodyguard or security detail. The work kind of just… fell into my lap. I was leaving a store when I saw a man being attacked. With no idea why or who he was, I helped. That man turned out to be a prolific government official who offered me a job as his bodyguard. I accepted. I was twenty-four when that happened. Now, four years later, I was pulling jobs left and right, even though I was still considered fresh in the game.
“He here already?” Blaze confirmed as we shook hands.
“Yeah. He has a team of guards with him, so I’m hoping he wants to talk to relieve me.”
Blaze chuckled as we headed toward Ruth’s Chris. Because Thomas was that type—seeking to have what he called a classified meeting in broad daylight in a public, crowded restaurant.
“You know that nigga ain’t finna do that. You told him to only call you on when he’s about to travel or be in public spaces with a mixed crowd. I highly doubt that man is about to relieve you.”
We made our way through the restaurant, where Thomas was seated at a four-person table in the center of the dining room. I took the seat directly in front of him, and Blaze sat on my right.
