10,000 Hours With A Rich Menace (Caselli Family Book 1)

Skyler and Estella both ran toward me when I stepped out the back of the truck. Duke held the door opened for me, and I jumped out running toward them. We all hugged and spun around in a circle while saying how much we missed each other.

Kora had invited Skyler to brunch and since Estella was out of school today, she brought her along. I was so excited to see my cousin that I forgot to show her my ring and tell her everything.

“Wait, look… he proposed to me.”

Skyler smiled. “I know, he told me.”

I gasped. “No.”

“Yes.”

“No.”

“Yes.”

“No.”

“Stevie, I am not about to do this with you.” She laughed, as she took in the ring. “Whew, this ring has to be at least a million or more… I see why he got you in that damn tank and with Duke.”

We walked into Kora’s building, and they granted us access up to her floor. “He asked me in front of the Mona Lisa…shut the whole museum down for the day.”

Estella was pulling on her bag, so she quickly grabbed her tablet so she could get on the elevator and keep quiet. “The whole museum? You’ve always wanted to go there, too… did you get your selfie with Mona?”

“Girl, no… I said fuck Mona when I saw him on his knee.”

“His knee?” Skyler nearly screamed in the elevator.

Everybody knew that Maverick was a germaphobe, so seeing him down on one knee in a public place was more romantic than the actual engagement.

I looked around the elevator like it was more than just us three in it. “He took it, Skyler.”

She gasped. “I knew you were walking a little different, glowing a bit more… how was it?”

I couldn’t stop blushing as I told her how everything went and she squeezed my hand, excited for me. We made our way down the hall to the only unit with double doors.

“Why am I nervous to have lunch with her?” Skyler whispered the closer we got to the door.

Estella was behind us, too into her tablet to care where or who we were having lunch with. “Kora is really cool. So down to earth… it’s Zoya that scares me.”

“Zoy is cool. You just have to get to know her more.”

“She hates her brother.”

Skyler made a nervous face. “Really?”

“The dinner I hosted didn’t go too well, and neither of them have reached out to the other. Landon has reached out to his brother, but Maverick is stubborn.”

Every time Landon tried to reach out, Maverick ignored him. It wasn’t like he could just show up because he made sure that security wasn’t letting him in. He was angry, hurt, and pissed all wrapped into one. For years he carried the brunt of doing what he did to his brother’s best friend, so Landon didn’t have to carry it.

To know the things he had done for his siblings and never asked for a thank you. He allowed them to resent him and make him out to be the bad guy when all he was doing was protecting them. It made me sad, and I wanted to hug him right now.

I pressed the button, and we waited until we heard the locks, and one of the doors swung open. Kora stood there with her curly hair pulled into a tight bun, high-waisted, floral wide-leg pants, heels, and a cropped shirt.

“Hey, I was wondering when you guys would get here. I’m Kora, Menace’s sister, and yes, I am normal… most of the time,” she laughed as she hugged Skyler. “Who is this beauty here?” she kneeled down until she was face to face with Estella.

“Stellie,” Estella replied, and she pinched her cheeks too smitten with her.

Me and Skyler smiled at Kora taking her in. “You are the most beautiful doll I have ever seen. Do you like candy, Stellie?”

Estella’s eyes widened as she shook her head. “Yes.”

Kora stood up and held her hand out. Estella held her hand as she welcomed us into her condo, which was beautiful. It was full of Black art, and contemporary furniture. It was massive, and cozy all at the same time with huge floor to ceiling windows that showed the entire city.

How she ever got anything done was beyond me because the view was enough to keep me stuck all day. Her heels clicked on the bamboo wooden floors as she showed us around and pointed out certain pieces to me.

I took in her space, pictures of her in college and on vacations. There were a few pictures of her in different countries with a White man. He was pretty consistent all throughout her home with the different pictures of him. Kora’s home was night and day to her brother’s home. It was warm, inviting and lived in.

You could piece her life together by the pictures and different things within her home. When it came to Maverick’s home, you didn’t know who lived there because there weren’t pictures anywhere. As nice as his home was, it wasn’t all that inviting because the art was there, however, there weren’t that many pieces around.

“Your home is so damn fire,” Skyler said, as she took everything in while Kora led us to the kitchen and dining area.

Kora smiled. “Thank you. I spent a lot of time trying to make it my own. These luxury condos are hard to make your own because they are so sterile.”

“You’ve done an amazing job with it, too. Doesn’t feel like one of those places at all. Core’s condo in the city feels exactly like that.”

“I believe he only sleeps there when he’s not at Bruster Manor,” she looked down at Estella. “Can I pick you up, Sweetie?”

Estella looked at her mother, and Skyler gave her a nod. “Yes, please.”

Kora was so tickled by her and put her on the stool. She went around the counter and grabbed some candy from a dish on the back counter. “We can sit in the living room until Zoya gets here. She finished in court not too long ago,” she led us to the living room, and we both sat down.

“Have she and Maverick spoken?”

Kora hopped from the couch. “Let me get you guys a drink.” I watched as she walked around the counter. “They won’t speak, and it has always been like that. For years I would try, and it would be useless. Neither of them think they are wrong, and both go at it every time.”

“Do you think she would come to our ceremony?”

Kora looked at me shocked. “Ceremony? What happened to the wedding?”

I sighed. “I don’t want a big drawn-out wedding. My mom is no longer living, and I always imagined her being there to see me get married… doesn’t feel right.”

Skyler rubbed my leg. “That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have the wedding of your dreams, Stevie.”

“Yes, I agree. My mom isn’t here either, but I want to walk down the aisle to my forever one day. Right now, the pickings are slim, and every man is always intimidated when he finds out what I do.”

“As your sister-in-law, I will be there to hold your dress and do whatever you need. For me, I don’t want to have a huge wedding with people I don’t know.”

“I can respect your decision. When are you both thinking about doing it?”

I looked down at my shoe. “Your brother said tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow?” Kora nearly hollered.

“Look, I just found out today, too.”

She smiled. “And you want to marry my brother… I know that this was a deal between the two of you. For Mav, this isn’t a deal anymore, that man is in love with you. Might be obsessed, so I would be careful marrying his nutty ass.”

“Baby, it takes a special someone to be with a man like Menace. You know he called me slow?”

“You are acting a bit slow, Skyler,” I snorted.

“Whatever. Worry about stealing grapes while your man is counting them.” Both she and Kora fell out laughing when the door chimed.

“I’m going to need both of you to calm it down on Maverick.” I gave them both the stink eye while Kora went to get the door.

Skyler finished her drink. “Are you really ready to be his wife?”

“Is anyone ever ready to be a wife or a mother?”

“No, but you kind of have to get ready or know that you are… marriage isn’t some game, Stevie.”

“Skyler, I know that. Has any of this ever been a game to me? I’m not a virgin anymore, so you can’t tell me what to do like I don’t have experience.”

“Just because you riding dick doesn’t mean you know everything, Stevie.”

We both had a brief stare down before we laughed, and she fell into me. “This feels right. Maverick needs me, and I need him, too. Sky, I promise I wouldn’t do this if I didn’t feel good about it.”

She held her hand out. “That is all I needed to hear. If this is what you wanna do, then I’m going to be right there behind you.”

Zoya rounded the corner with her work bag. “Hey Stevie and Skyler,” she came over and kissed our cheeks before flinging her bag onto the table and plopping on the opposite couch. “Tequila and honey and hold the lime,” she told her sister, who went right into making her drink.

“Long day.”

“The longest damn day in history, and the day isn’t even over. I had court all morning and cleared my afternoon to be here, but sheesh. I’m not even supposed to say anything, but because she’s not my client yet, I can say it. Gerald’s parole officer is suing the city and has retained the firm to represent her.”

Skyler snorted. “Was she not fucking him in return for letting him slide all over the damn country and out the country?”

Zoya accepted the drink from her sister and took it back. “She was. They fired her because she had another parolee that she was doing the same thing with. Claims she hasn’t slept with anyone and has only done her job. Gerald is sitting behind bars because of her… fuck you meannn.”

Skyler laughed and I was trying to figure out the joke. “Just be honest with yourself, you miss that man.”

“I do miss running into him.”

Kora snickered. “From what you told me about him, I think he and Maverick would get along.”

Zoya sucked her teeth. “Too bad I don’t really care about impressing my brother. He told me to get the fuck out of his life.”

“House, Zoy,” I corrected.

“It’s the same thing.” She shrugged.

“No one is saying that he isn’t wrong though. You just have to both be willing to sit down and talk it out.”

Zoya laughed. “Yeah, I’m not doing that. I love you for him because I haven’t seen that side of him… ever. I’m not about to pretend like me and Menace aren’t like oil and water.”

“Will you at least come to our ceremony? It would mean a lot to him if you were there.” I gave up the argument of wanting them both to fix things.

It would have to take them both to want to fix their relationship, and neither of them were in the space to do that. “He never invited me.”

“She’s inviting you,” Skyler added.

“Zoy, we have to be there for him. Maverick has always been there for us, no matter how he has felt. You told him that you wished he would die, and he showed up to your law school graduation with flowers and a brand-new car for you. He’s not always right and he doesn’t show us his feelings, but he does love us.”

“And you kiss his ass because you are his favorite.”

Kora leaned forward and pointed her freshly manicured nail at her younger sister. “No, I stick up for him because I know shit you have no idea about. I know the sacrifices that man has made and the trauma he has been through. Is he always right? No, but he fucking has come through for us when the rest of those Eatons could give a fuck about us. I remember when Mommy and Daddy died, you don’t remember much or maybe you don’t care to, but I remember. You are always complaining about him changing our names without our permission but don’t know shit about his reasons. Neither you nor Landon know shit but always got your fucking lips poked out. That confidence and big fucking personality you have is because that man showed you how to show up and never look weak to people.”

I sniffled and everyone, including Estella, turned to look at me. “You not being yelled at. The hell are you crying about?”

“I just really love that man… I’m sorry.” I wiped my tears. “And he took my virginity.”

“Stevie!” Skyler shoved me.

“What? We’re all friends here, right?”

Zoya and Kora both looked at me and laughed. “Oh wow, you were really sent special for Menace.”

“Usually, I wouldn’t want to hear this because it’s my brother, but yeah, go ahead and cry for your man,” Kora smiled.

Skyler held her shirt over her face laughing. “Stevie, I can promise you they didn’t need to know that their brother took your virginity.”

“In Paris by the way… and he proposed to me.”

Both Zoya and Kora jumped up when I showed them my ring. “As in getting down on one knee and professing his love for you?”

I smiled widely. “He did… Duke even recorded it for me to have.”

While they both held my hand, I grabbed my phone and showed them the video. While Zoya was trying to see, Kora took my phone and plopped down in the chair. Tears fell down her face as she watched the video.

“Damn, K, can I see the video, too?”

“You couldn’t stand him a minute ago,” Skyler added with a smirk on her face.

Zoya stuck her middle finger up. “Mind your neck and worry about why you been staying the night with Corleon.”

“Alright, not too much in my business.” Skyler quickly wanted to switch the subject when we got on her and Corleon secretly creeping on the low.

“Mama, Core-Core is calling.” Estella showed her tablet, and Corleon happened to be facetiming her.

“You can answer.”

She got excited as she slid her finger across the screen. “Stellie Belly,” he greeted soon as he saw her face.

“You can go down to the room on the left if you need more privacy,” Zoya told her because Kora was still watching the video.

She had crossed her legs and was all into it. Skyler took Estella, and they went to talk to Corleon in the next room. Kora swiped away a tear as she held my phone in her hand.

“Do you mind sending me that video and the pictures? I have pictures of everyone… Landon graduating from college the first time, then Zoya, but nothing with Maverick. He never smiles in pictures⁠—”

“He doesn’t take them at all,” Zoya added and snatched the phone to watch the same video her sister had just watched.

“Anyway, seeing him speak how he feels about you… God, I never thought I would see the day. You really make him happy, and I can see that he makes you the same way.”

We both turned and watched as Zoya quickly tried to catch the tear that slipped down her face. “What? I’m not heartless now… you both look so happy. The fact that he’s wearing pants and not sweats.”

“He did that all on his own.”

“I’ve only seen him in sweats and suits, and he only wears suits when he has to.” Kora smiled.

“Will you both come tomorrow? I know it would mean a lot to him that you are there. It would mean a lot to me, too. Aside from Skyler, I don’t have any family.”

Kora switched seats and sat next to me, pulling my hands into hers. “I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

Zoya smiled. “The fact that you didn’t run for the hills means you love him. I will move some things around and be there.”

“Invite Landon, too. I know he’s been trying to talk to Maverick and he’s not in the space to talk to him.”

“And you see why I don’t reach out.” Zoya pointed to her sister.

“No excuses. I will call Landon tonight and we will be there… I will move some cases I have and make sure I am there.”

“Kora, you need to be careful,” Zoya warned her.

“I will make sure I am protected, but I am not missing my brother getting married.” She looked at her sister.

“Thanks, guys.”

Zoya continued to watch the video, and I could see that she felt the same as her sister. Where Kora was easy to show her emotions, Zoya wasn’t. They were the same person just in different fonts. Zoya was the kind of person that didn’t reveal her emotions, and she played hard. It would take a strong man to pull her out of this tough exterior that she put on.

“Don’t mention it. The food should be here soon… and while we’re waiting, I am going to book you with my hair girl.”

“Oh, don’t worry about it. I’m going to my stylist.”

I told her, and she lowered her phone. “Last minute?”

“She’s going to take me in… always makes time to squeeze me in.” I laughed, because Cindy was going to kick my ass and hug me all at the same time.

“Well, alright.”

“I wanted to host Thanksgiving this year, and I would like to do something away. It’s always me, Skyler, and Estella, so I would like for us to do something. When is the last time you spent the holidays with Maverick?”

Zoya snorted. “Not since I went away for college.”

“I’m ashamed to admit, it has been a long time.”

I sighed. “I think it would be nice to do something as a family before the baby gets here.”

Kora and Zoya both gasped super loud. “What? I’m going to be an aunt?”

“Oh, I have to start shopping now… I’m going to be Auntie Z… the fine rich one.” Zoya sat on the edge of her chair excited like Kora.

“Well, the baby is gonna have two fine aunts because Auntie K is fine, too, and she’s rich too.”

“I’m not pregnant, but you see how excited you were? Let’s keep that same energy for spending the holidays together.”

“Stevie, what the hell?” Zoya tossed a pillow at me.

“I’m saying… we need that excitement.”

Kora shoved me and laughed. “I can see what you mean, and I am down. My girls didn’t plan anything for around there, so I am down to go anywhere.”

“I guess I can come. Stevie, make sure your man is on his best behavior, I am not messing with him.”

“Both of you be nice to each other.” I smiled.

“I’m always nice.”

“Especially to Gerald,” Kora teased.

I was excited to spend more time with Maverick’s siblings. The dinner ended horribly, and I had been thinking of a way to fix things between them. As his wife, I wanted him to become closer with them. He had kept himself away for so long, it was time for him to make fresh memories with them.

Soon as I opened my eyes, I rubbed my baby’s beard as he slept on me. This was an every night thing, and I couldn’t imagine sleeping any other way. Every night after his shower, he would do his routine and then climb between my legs and lay on my stomach.

I rubbed his beard as I hummed, or we talked about whatever was on either of our minds. Maverick always had some dark shit swirling around in his mind, so we both agreed we didn’t need to discuss what he was thinking.

For the most part, when I hummed and rubbed his beard, he was at peace. I was at peace, and I felt safe with him. He no doubt had a few screws loose, however, when he stared at me, it all made sense.

Every confusing thought I had ever had about my life made sense once I stared into his eyes. I knew everything was going to be alright and he would damn sure make sure of it. I was getting married today, and I thought I would be a nervous wreck.

We both knew that this was the end game for us. I just never thought it would feel like this. Part of me expected that I would have to be dragged down the aisle to marry him. Neither of us thought we would fall in love with the other.

Me and Maverick were opposites and not supposed to be attracted to one another. He was structured and I was chaos. I lived in my head, and was carefree, while he knew what he was doing for the next three years.

This was never supposed to work between us, and who knew if it would. All I knew is that right now this was working for us, and as long as we both wanted to make it work – it would. I rubbed his head as he held me tighter.

Maverick was someone a lot of people feared, and he had put fear into my chest when I first met him. Nobody got to see this side of him, including his own family. When he walked up to the third floor, he was able to shed that tough exterior and just be Mavie with me. I was able to hold him like he needed and love him because he needed that, too.

“I can hear your thoughts all the way down here, Wonder,” his rough morning voice pulled me from my thoughts.

“How do you know that I’m thinking?”

He snorted. “You wake up with thoughts, baby. Wanna fill me in, or is this your quiet hour?”

“We’re getting married today.”

He looked up, resting his chin on my chest. “Tell me if this isn’t something you’re ready for.”

“Do you think I’m ready to be a wife?” I questioned.

“I do.”

“Are you just saying that ‘cause you need one?” I giggled and pinched his nose while he continued to stare into my eyes.

He kissed my stomach. “I’m saying it because I think you are ready to be my wife. Forever ain’t shit that I ever believed in until I met you. I want forever with you and I want to take care of you. This house has never had love in it, and you came in and brought that shit with you. The staff loves you, Wonder. You brighten their day when you come down humming or giving them a canvas that yo’ ass never finished but got them looking at it like it’s a deeper meaning to it.”

“It is… why you being loud?”

“’Cause I heard you the other day talking about that canvas you half finished… why you lie to Carmen like that?”

I laughed so hard my entire body was shaking. “She said it was beautiful, and I messed up on it, so I gave it to her.”

He kissed my hands. “Wonder, if you told me this was all too much for you, I would respect it as long as I don’t lose you. I don’t ever need no muthafucka, but you… I need you.”

I held his face as he came closer and kissed my lips. “I need you, too, Mavie.”

“You mean that shit?”

“With my whole heart, baby. I have so much to do today and that starts with going to the salon, and then explaining to Alex that I am getting married today.”

“Bringing up a random man’s name is a sure way to have me crash out, Beloved.”

I laughed. “He’s a fake uncle that owns the store on my block. My mother made him promise to always look out for me and he has. I’ve been keeping in touch via text message, but I know he’s worried about me… like Cindy is.”

“I get to meet this fake uncle?”

“If he can get away from the store to come… I kind of told him last minute on purpose because I didn’t want to hear the lecture.”

“Means he cares if he is giving you a lecture.”

“I had to do this on my own, Maverick. When my mother was alive, I always relied on my mother to guide me and then when she passed away, I was so lost. When Skyler moved here, I relied on her guidance even though she’s younger than me. I’ve felt lost for a long time, and this time I needed to make this decision without anyone else’s opinion. I had to form my opinion on my own, go with what my heart and gut was telling me. As much as I love Alex, he would have called me crazy and tried to convince me to do the opposite.”

“What are your gut and heart telling you now, Wonder?”

I used my finger and brushed his lashes, my favorite thing about him. “That you are the one for me. You give me the space to live in my head, but you also reel me in, too. I can never get too deep in my head before you’re telling me that I’m thinking too loud,” I giggled while my eyes filled with tears. “I feel protected and safe with you, Maverick. I hope I make you feel the same way.”

He kissed my lips. “Ain’t never had a woman make me feel the way that you do, Wonder. When I pull through our gates, I can’t get up the hill quick enough because I know you are waiting for me. Coming home to an empty house was something that came with my life and I never put much thought into it. I was lonely and craved someone who understood me, and not many do. I’m not even sure that you understand me, but you are patient with me. You don’t try and make me someone that I’m not. Like I said, I need and want you… can’t see me not having you. I’m glad you’re a thief because we wouldn’t have crossed paths.”

“I am not a thief, Mitchell.”

“Wanda, you had shorty putting my money in your account… I’m gonna go with you a partial thief. Oh, and baby you don’t gotta steal grapes no more… we got money to buy some.”

“Anyway, we may have crossed paths eventually. When Skyler, Corleon and Jeffie got married… or tried to get married. Either way, when they had a ceremony, I would have met you.”

“That’s too long for me; I need you now. Skyler acting slow, so who knows when that will happen.”

“Maverick!” I pinched him, as he rolled over, and pulled me on top of him.

He wrapped his arms around me, and I rested my head on him. “See you at the altar, Mitchell.”

“Racing you there, Wanda.” He kissed my head.

After taking a shower and getting ready, me and Duke were on our way to Brooklyn to get my hair done. When Maverick said everything would get handled, he never lied. Greene and Jeffie made sure I had shoes, a dress, and anything that I may have needed.

They booked a hotel close to city hall for me to get ready in, and all I had to do was get my hair and makeup done, which I was praying Cindy could squeeze me in and do it.

When I mentioned moving the date because it was so last minute, Maverick was set on this date.

“Stevie Raye, you coming into this salon after I haven’t seen you in God knows when, and think I am not going to whoop your ass.” Cindy ran from behind the chair, crashing into my arms.

“Hey Cindy!” I held onto her as she squeezed the life out of me while cussing me out for showing up.

My station was still set up for me, even though I hadn’t paid my booth rent since I left for the Bahamas. Cindy was good like that, and she never held things over my head. I was going to miss working here with her.

“Look at this hair… dry and you need your ends clipped.” She turned to look at Duke who stood there. “Baby, are you in some kind of trouble?”

I laughed. “No, this is Duke… he is my security.”

Cindy continued to watch Duke, not understanding why I needed security. “Why do you need security, Stevie?”

I allowed her to pull me over to her station, which was empty. Cindy only took walk-ins on Fridays, which is why I decided to show up this morning. The morning I was getting married to Maverick Caselli.

She loosened my bun and started feeling through my curls with her mind going a million miles per hour. “Promise me that you won’t freak out on me.”

“I will not make no such promise. Little girl, tell me what you got yourself mixed in, and why this big man is in my shop like you are the president… honey, take a seat and grab you some water from over there,” she told Duke.

“I’m straight.” He continued to take his place near the door, watching me, and Cindy spun me around to face her.

“Stevie Raye, if you are in some kind of trouble, I have money to help you out of it. It’s not much, but I got a boo that won’t hesitate to lend me some change.” Cindy was known to stay with a man that had some money.

Rumor had it that this salon was bought with drug money because she was that girl back then. “I promise I am not in any trouble anymore.”

“What trouble were you in?”

“Can we start with the good?”

She popped her hand onto her hip and stared at me, waiting for me to tell her. “Go ahead and give me the good, Stevie.”

“I’m getting married today.”

Cindy remained quiet as she searched my face. “Are you doing drugs?”

“What? No… I am getting married. Right, Duke?”

“To him?” she nearly hollered.

“Beloved, easy on me. Steve-o is old enough to nearly be my niece… I like my women seasoned… feel me?” He licked his lips, and Cindy blushed.

“Am I interrupting something here?”

Cindy turned her attention back to me. “Who are you marrying, Stevie?”

“His name is…” I paused, correcting myself. “Menace.”

There wasn’t much out there on Maverick, including his real name. All you knew is that is name was Menace Caselli, never his full name. Some people didn’t even know what he looked like because he moved in the shadows like a ghost.

As his soon-to-be wife, it was my job to protect him. “That last name, I’ve heard about it… Caselli. Where do I know that name from?”

“I don’t know, but that is who I am marrying today.”

“How does one go from a vacation to never coming back to work, and now you’re getting married. Stevie, this is me… what is going on?”

I sighed, and ran down everything that went on with Priscilla, and Cindy was so livid that she snapped the comb in her hand. “I told you that bitch was no damn good. I’ve been around my fair share of bitches that don’t mean you no good. Stevie, she could have gotten you raped and killed.” Cindy paced the shop, and Duke reached over and handed her one of the waters that she tried to offer him moments before.

She stood in front of him, facing me, and Duke swallowed her small frame up. If she had been behind him, you wouldn’t have seen her. Cindy snatched the water bottle and opened it, taking a few sips.

“It looks bad, I kno⁠—”

“Looks? The girl put you in a situation to almost lose your life. Then if that wasn’t enough, she offered you up to the man that kidnapped you in the first place. Thank God Skyler knew him, or you would have been dead. Men like that don’t care if you take a dollar, they want your head… Jesus, I need to sit down.” She plopped down in the chair and fanned herself.

I felt stupid because everyone that I knew had been trying to warn me about Priscilla and I refused to believe it. Being so desperate for a friend, I ignored red flags that someone normal would have noticed.

I’ve always known how serious the situation was, even when I was in that warehouse for a week. No matter how nice Beans was to me, I knew that my life was hanging in the balance, and I could be killed at the end of everything.

“I know.”

“Baby, I need you to use that head more and realize that every chick that is nice, isn’t your friend. That girl may have been nice, but she didn’t give a damn about you… not one bit.”

“Yeah.”

She took a deep breath. “And this Mania character… you are going to marry him because you want to or because he’s forcing you.”

I giggled. “His name is Menace, and I am marrying him because I want to. Cindy, I am in love with him.”

“Baby, how do you know this is love? He kidnapped you, then told you that you were gonna marry him or that bitch and your father would die… how is it love?”

“She could have left the first night she arrived,” Duke answered. “I’ve been with Mens for a while, and when he first laid eyes on you, I knew you were different. He paced the front of the house for an hour before walking in the first night you came to the house. If he wanted to kill you, he would have and Skyler wouldn’t have stopped that.”

I smiled as I looked at Duke. “I know I love him because my heart has never felt that way with anyone. I want to protect him, defend him, and love him all at the same time. I know he can protect himself, and he does very well, I feel like I have to. He actually sees me for the Stevie I am, I don’t have to pretend around him, and you know how much I pretend around guys. Not him, Cindy. He accepts me for who I am, and he encourages it. He made his pool house into a studio for me, and he hates mess. I can see his body tense up with pain from the mess in there, but he likes to be near me, so he sucks it up… that’s love.”

Cindy studied me from the chair and took a deep sigh. “I have had my fair share of crazy stories from when I was younger and hanging my ass out in those streets, so I am not in the position to ever judge you. However, I want to meet this man and see who I am giving my baby girl away to.”

I smiled as she stood up and held her arms out, and I ran into them, hugging her. “You can come to our ceremony… please.”

“Chile, I’m already mentally preparing how I’m going to run across town to change clothes. First, let’s get this hair together because I refuse for you to get married to that man with these split ends.” She ran her hands through my hair, and I laughed.

“I’ve been roughing it out here.”

“I can tell. You can go ahead and sit down, and lock that door… I know you need to protect her, but you standing is bothering me.”

“I got you, Beloved.”

Cindy smirked, as she got right to work, and Duke took a seat. I closed my eyes and put my headphones in to listen to my favorite song.