Page 126 of Vega

She sighed. “Of course it is. What happened?”

I sat in the what had turned into my “dad chair” in the living room. It was my big, comfortable recliner that my kids knew not to play in. “I need your advice.”

Tempo had taken a step back from the organization to be a wife, but I still went to her when a situation needed more than a gun and ego. Men loved reacting first and thinking after somebody was bleeding. Tempo could see and hear the parts most of us missed because we had too much pride and egos.

“Talk to me,” she said.

“Jamir’s been going through Kash’s burner phone. It looks like Kash was set up by or by somebody connected to the Street Kings.”

“The Street Kings have been solid since they started working with y’all.”

“They have.”

“They’ve been legit, hella respectful, and loyal.”

“Most disloyal men introduce themselves that way first,” I said. “That’s how snakes get close enough to bite.”

She released a slow breath. “Does Saint and Icon know?”

“No.”

“Good.”

“That’s why I called you. If I tell Saint right now, he’s going to lose his mind and start shooting before Jamir finishes his damn research. If I tell Icon, he’ll cut their supply immediately, and the whole relationship goes sour before we know who actually did what.”

“And if you say nothing, and the Street Kings are dirty, Kash’s blood sits on your hands longer than it should.”

“Exactly.”

“So, don’t say anything until Jamir is sure. I think you should keep it from everybody until you have the whole story.”

“And the Street Kings?”

“Watch them. Every move.”

My jaw worked as I thought about it.

“Legend, don’t let loyalty make you stupid, but don’t let suspicion make you reckless either.”

“Yeah,” I agreed. “You right.”

I could practically hear the smile in her words as she quipped, “I know. That’s why you called me.”

SONNET ELLISON

I woke up in Vega’s arms and almost couldn’t believe what had happened. I had really done it. I had really given him the one thing I had protected for twenty-three years, and the wildest part was that I didn’t feel empty afterward. I didn’t feel stupid. I didn’t feel used. Vega had made it beautiful in a way I hadn’t expected from a man like him. He had been patient and careful, and after it was over, he hadn’t rolled away from me or acted like the intimacy ended once he got his release.

He was still there, holding me. His arm wrapped around me while my back rested against him, and his face was tucked near my hair. That felt more intimate than the sex almost. The quiet way he kept me close after he had already gotten what most men would’ve considered the prize made me feel just as orgasmic.

I felt him waking up behind me a second later.

His lips touched the side of my face first, then my mouth.

I pulled away, giggling. “My breath stinks.”

“I don’t care.”

“You should.”