Lover's Island, page 19
Aida crossed her arms, shaking her head dismissively. “I’m not worried about Jabari. He’s a hustler, not a gangster,” Aida answered, focusing her gaze directly on Pierre. Gold slugs lined the top and bottom rows of his teeth, only adding to his rugged sexiness. The contrast of the gleaming gold against his chocolate skin was godly. A white Amiri T-shirt covered his chest, and a diamond chain dangled against his neck. His locks were freshly two-strand twisted. The gray sweatpants he wore barely concealed the print of his dick. Aida grinned when Pierre’s gaze followed hers and their eyes met.
Pierre nodded and took a few steps toward Aida again until he towered over her small frame. He gripped her hips and pulled her body to his and smothered her with a bear hug, lifting her body inches off the floor. “Can’t lie. You been on my mind,” he whispered into her ear before placing Aida back on her feet. “You straight? Need anything? Your nigga hitting that shit right?”
Aida blushed as she rested her hand on Pierre’s chest. With her free hand, she played with his locks, twirling them around her fingers. “I’m single actually, but I missed you too,” she admitted. A part of her wondered if they would’ve built a relationship like Nyimah and Cree’s if they had stayed in touch. Minus the baby. “I’m good, though. Thank you.”
Pierre raised an eyebrow and looked at her skeptically. He reached into his pocket and retrieved a wad of hundred-dollar bills. After parting the bills, he handed Aida a stack, not even attempting to count the cash. There was plenty more where that came from.
Aida shook her head and waved her left hand in the air. “No, Pierre, you don’t have to. I’m good.”
“I’m not asking. Take it.” After taking her right hand, Pierre rubbed his thumb across her wrist gently before placing the money on her palm. “Get the kids something nice.”
Frowning, Aida glanced down at the money in her hand. It was behavior like this that had attracted Aida to Pierre initially. The fact that she had kids didn’t faze Pierre. He couldn’t break Aida off without slipping something in for her children. He was naturally a giver. While the monetary gifts were appreciated, it wasn’t what Aida loved the most about him. Pierre’s selfless ability to please Aida in any capacity she desired made her swoon. Her mind flashed back to Vegas and the nights he had made her cum back-to-back before allowing himself to climax. It was behavior like that, the boss behavior, that had Aida stuck on Pierre. Big bag, big dick, big pleaser.
“Thank you. Still so generous, I see,” she said.
“Only with those I care about,” he replied.
Aida curled her lips into an unsuspecting smile and gripped her chest. “I’m in that category?” She gasped, and then followed that with a chuckle. “Didn’t think so after you asked to let what happened in Vegas stay there.”
Pierre rubbed his hands together and nodded. “That had everything to do with me. Not you. I don’t have the luxury of settling down, with the life I live.”
“I never asked you to,” Aida retorted, placing her hands on her wide hips.
Pierre snickered, fingering his chin hair. “Knowing our vibe, I would’ve eventually, and I ain’t ready for that. I’m in these streets more than I’m at home. I deal with different women from time to time. I put getting money first. You feel me?” he said. “I look at my brother and admire the man he is. He built for that family shit. Me, I’m built for this street shit. Love ain’t on my radar right now. It’ll only get us both hurt.” He looked down at Aida and lifted her chin with his finger before leaning down to kiss her lips softly. “You deserve more than that.”
Aida closed her eyes as she savored the electrifying bolt of passion Pierre’s touch sent through her body. Opening her eyes, she smiled and traced the outline of Pierre’s jawline with the tips of her fingers. She inhaled his scent deeply, anchoring herself in this moment, because she knew it was possibly their last encounter.
While she wished they had met at a different time, Aida appreciated his honesty. She’d experienced her fair share of fuck boys. A year ago, Aida had been in a toxic relationship with Khalid, the father of her twins. Khalid had fucked other women and spent the majority of his time running the streets. He believed that as long as he paid all the bills, his behavior was excused. Whenever Aida had confronted him about his cheating, he’d gas-lighted her. I could be holding the truth in that nigga’s face and he’d still lie, she thought.
Pierre had just laid all his cards on the table, which was something most men couldn’t do. Aida appreciated Pierre’s honesty, because it allowed her the privilege of choice. If she decided to pursue him after his warnings, it’d be a choice she made with her own authority. But Aida refused to subject herself to another heartbreak. It’d be like setting herself up for failure. If Pierre admitted he wasn’t in a position to be the man she needed, Aida had to accept that. She’d be a fool to ignore his warnings and fall in love with him. Because if we stay in touch, that’s exactly what’ll happen. My heart can’t take that, she thought.
“If you only knew that you do too,” she whispered to Pierre before pecking his cheek.
The chime of the bell above the door announced Cree’s presence, and Aida slowly peeled herself away from Pierre. A minute more in his embrace and she’d never want to leave.
“What’s the word?” Pierre asked.
“We out,” Cree replied simply. He had planned on spending a few more hours in the city, looking for Nyimah, but Nova’s call had caught him off guard. Sanai had regained consciousness and was asking for him. That revelation would’ve been news to celebrate if he hadn’t sensed the sadness emanating from Nova. Something was wrong, and she didn’t want to tell him over the phone. “I hate to cut this short, but we gotta go. If you hear from Nyimah, call me, ” Cree stated as he placed one of his cards on the table.
“I will,” Aida vowed, picking up the card.
“Be safe, Aida.” Cree tipped his head in Aida’s direction and exited the salon.
“Use that card if you need me. Take care of yourself,” Pierre said before kissing Aida’s hand gently.
Aida blushed as she blinked away tears. “I will. You too,” she responded as she walked with Pierre to the front door. After she opened the door and stepped outside with Pierre, she exhaled and watched him make his way to their rental car.
“Keep that shit tight, A!” he yelled over his shoulder, with a grin, before climbing into the Escalade truck.
Aida let out a laugh. “Silly ass,” she said to herself. Then she stepped back inside and locked the door behind her.
* * *
Cree anxiously stepped into the hospital’s elevator. He hated that he had had to leave North Carolina sooner than intended, but he had dropped everything when he received Nova’s call about his daughter. His eyebrows knit together with worry as he watched a number light up with each floor the elevator ascended. When it reached the eighth floor, Cree briskly exited the elevator and located Sanai’s room. He opened the door, and his eyes instantly landed on Sanai, who sat, awake, in the hospital bed.
“Hey, baby girl.” Cree rushed to Sanai’s side, expelling a sigh of relief. “I’m so glad to see you. How are you feeling?” He affectionately brushed Sanai’s curls away from her face.
“Cree, you should speak with the doctor,” Nova interjected. The uncertainty in her voice tore Cree’s attention from Sanai, and he finally noticed Nova standing in the room, along with Dr. Leland and his mother. Nova’s eyes were red, like fresh blood, and her eyes were puffy. The dark circles beneath them revealed the exhaustion that plagued her. It looked like she had lost ten pounds since he’d last seen her a few days ago.
“She’s conscious. That’s a good thing, right?” Searching for answers, Cree focused his soul-piercing eyes on Dr. Leland.
“It is. Your daughter coming to on her own is a hopeful sign in regard to her recovery,” Dr. Leland said, tucking his tablet tightly under his arm. He pursed his lips before adding, “However, we’ve come across an unforeseen complication.”
“Complication?”
“Listen, son,” Loveleen said sternly. She knew how overprotective Cree was of his loved ones, especially his daughter. He’d prefer for the doctor to not mince words, but this was a delicate situation.
Dr. Leland cleared his throat. “The damage to your daughter’s—”
“Sanai.” Cree’s brows furrowed, and he held his finger up to correct him. He refused to let the doctors reduce his baby girl to a chart that they shelved at the end of their workday. “Her name is Sanai.”
“Of course. My apologies. The damage to Sanai’s spinal cord was more substantial than we expected. It is what led to the swelling around Sanai’s brain. Now that she has regained consciousness and the swelling has subsided, we were able to perform more extensive tests. She can breathe on her own again, but Sanai is suffering from paralysis in her legs.”
“She’s paralyzed?” Cree exclaimed. His heart dropped, and he turned his gaze to Sanai, who sat there, seemingly oblivious to the conversation being carried on about her. Cree wiped his hand over his goatee, attempting to maintain his composure. His baby girl had had her future stolen from her in the blink of an eye. He now regretted not ending Darnell’s life himself. “Is it temporary or what?”
“We cannot say for sure. There is a possibility, but with injuries like Sanai sustained, we are lucky she woke from the coma. We’ll continue to monitor her over the next few weeks before her release. In cases like this, we also suggest seeing a therapist to help the child get adjusted to the lifestyle changes.”
A sob escaped Nova’s lips, and she rushed out of the room. Cree dropped his head, and he nodded at the information he’d received. It seemed like the events in his life had taken a turn for the worse. First, losing contact with Nyimah. Now learning that his daughter might never walk again. How could he explain to a little girl who’d been dancing all her life that she wouldn’t be able to anymore? Nova didn’t handle tragedy well, and Cree knew the task would fall on him to see Sanai through this.
“Thank you, Dr. Leland,” Loveleen said softly, dismissing the doctor. She placed a gentle hand on Cree’s shoulder.
“Take care, Sanai. I’ll be checking on you later. Mr. and Mrs. Baptiste.” Dr. Leland gave them a tight smile before shuffling out of the room.
“Am I okay, Daddy?” Sanai’s big brown eyes met Cree’s.
Cree’s bottom lip trembled, and he tucked it under his tongue. Sanai tried her best to sound like a big girl, but Cree knew his daughter well enough to recognize the fear in her eyes. “You are more than okay, baby. You’re alive. That’s all that matters.”
“But I can’t feel my legs. Am I stuck like this?” Sanai glanced down at her lower body. The doctor had explained to her that she wouldn’t be able to walk, but she needed to hear it from someone she trusted. There was no one she trusted more than her father. In her five-year-old eyes, he could fix everything.
Cree took Sanai’s hand in his. “I’m going to do everything in my power to make sure you aren’t stuck like this. I’ve never let you down before, have I?” he said gently.
Sanai vigorously shook her head from side to side.
Cree held up his pinky for Sanai to lock with hers. “Then trust me when I say we’ll get you the best treatments. I love you, kid.”
“I love you too, Daddy.” Sanai reached for her iPad and logged on to YouTube Kids, her worries put at ease. If her dad said he’d find a way to get her back to normal, she believed it.
Cree pulled his mother to the side. “Thank you for being here for her, Ma.”
“Hush. This is my grandbaby. You don’t have to thank me.” Loveleen patted Cree’s hands. “Did you find her?”
Cree shrugged rounded shoulders and released a long grumble. “Nah, I didn’t,” he muttered.
Stress weighed down on him like a boulder. With the life-changing turn in Sanai’s health, Cree realized he wouldn’t be able to focus much time on his search for Nyimah. Sanai would need him present now more than ever. Nova wasn’t equipped to handle a paraplegic child on her own. Neither was the condo she owned. The best option would be for him to move Sanai into his home and get all the accommodations she needed installed. That meant seeing more of Nova.
“I ’on’t know what to do,” he admitted.
“You focus on what’s in front of you.” Loveleen nodded to Sanai. “We won’t give up on Nyimah. What’s meant to be always returns. Right now, though, that little girl needs you now more than ever.”
“I got her forever. She’ll never have to worry about me not being there.”
“That I know. You were raised to do nothing less than that. And you always excel at everything you do. That’s why I know you’ll see her again.” Loveleen cupped Cree’s face with her palms and planted a kiss on his cheek. “Everything’s going to be all right. I love you, son.”
“I love you too. Go get some rest. I got it from here,” Cree stated.
Loveleen gathered her belongings and walked over to Sanai’s side. “I’ll be back to check on you tomorrow, stink. I love you.” Loveleen pecked her forehead.
“Love you, Grandma!”
“Be gentle with Nova. She handles these things differently. She allows herself to feel everything. She’ll need you too,” Loveleen whispered to Cree before exiting the hospital suite.
Eight
“Welcome home, baby girl.” Cree stretched his arms out, inviting Sanai and Nova into his newly renovated home. He had hired a team of contractors and had tasked them with making his home handicap accessible and as kid friendly as possible. There were custom-made ramps for Sanai to use and more. “Your mom brought most of your items from her house, so you’ll be comfortable.”
“This is cool, I guess.” Sanai moved from the foyer into the living room area in her electric wheelchair. Her spirits had lifted some since her release from the hospital, but she had yet to return to her joyous self. “Can I go to my room?”
“Of course, baby. I’ll be there to check on you in a minute.” Nova rubbed the top of Sanai’s head and then turned to Cree once she was out of earshot. “I guess that makes us roommates now.” Nova crossed her arms playfully.
Wincing, Cree rubbed his shoulder. Nova had jokes. At least they were finally able to make light of such a dire situation. “Nah, not quite.”
Cree headed to his bedroom, with Nova on his trail. It’d been weeks since he got a good night’s rest in his own bed. Weeks of pent-up tension had accumulated in his shoulders, waiting to be released. He sank into his bed and released a breath. “I had the guest room prepared for you,” he told Nova.
“Very platonic,” Nova replied sarcastically. Although she didn’t expect Cree to welcome her into his bed with open arms, she wasn’t entirely against the idea either. “Will we be eating dinner separately too?”
Cree gave Nova a stern look, drawing his eyebrows together, and Nova raised her hands in surrender. “I kid. But honestly, I don’t want to be a burden . . . I just want to be close to my baby.” Both of my babies.
“I understand.”
Nova picked up the framed photo of Sanai on the dresser. She was only a few months old in the picture. “I think we can agree that Sanai comes first.” She ran her finger over other photos before landing on one with Cree and a woman she didn’t recognize. The two were enveloped in an embrace, with Cree’s arms wrapping around the woman’s waist. Full curls cascaded down the sides of the woman’s face, and her smile lit up the entire picture. There was no denying her beauty. “So, this must be her.” Nova lifted the picture frame into the air. “The woman who’s had you so distracted.” A lump formed in Nova’s chest, and she swallowed down emotion.
“Her name is Nyimah.” Cree sat up on the bed and eyed Nova.
Nova rolled her eyes at Cree’s comment. “She’s gorgeous. I mean, I expect nothing less. You always had great taste. But why her? What’s so special about her?”
“You really want to know the answer to that?” Cree licked his lips, squinting.
Nova shrugged indifferently, frowning. She placed the photo back in the location she’d found it in. “No, but I’d like for us to talk later if you’re up to it.”
“I’ll be here, Nova.”
* * *
Jabari pushed through the double doors and wiped his hand down his face as he entered the dimly lit garage. Power tools hummed from the mechanics working under the hoods of cars. He made his way into the back office, where Rozai waited.
“What’s up nigga?” he greeted Rozai, who sat behind a desk, shaking his hand.
“Aye, let me call you back. Got to chop it up with someone real quick.” Rozai set his phone on the desk and placed one hand on top of the other. “Do you know the story of the tortoise and the hare?”
Jabari frowned and shook his head. He had no inkling of what the fuck Rozai was referring to. He was already annoyed that he had to come to Rozai with his tail tucked and explain how he had lost his re-up money. “Fuck is a hare?” he asked.
Rozai sucked his teeth in amusement. “It’s like a rabbit, nigga. Damn, did yo’ ass pay attention in school?” He picked up a Dutch stuffed with weed and lit it. “So, we got the tortoise and the hare. These muhfuckas agree to a race. Race starts, and the hare takes off.” Rozai paused and took a toke from the blunt. “The hare gets to picking at the tortoise. Telling him how much faster he is, since the tortoise moves slower. Antagonizing him and shit. But the fucking hare started off so fast that he gotta take breaks during the race.”
Jabari crossed his arms and nodded, waiting for Rozai to finish his speech.
“Whole time, the tortoise still moving ahead, slowly but surely,” Rozai went on. “By the end of the race, the tortoise wins. Crazy shit, right?”
“Yeah, I guess so. Nigga should’ve never underestimated the tortoise.”
“Exactly. It ain’t about who’s the fastest. It’s about who’s consistent. Slow and steady.” Rozai passed the blunt to Jabari. “I bought this shop when I was still on the blocks selling eight balls. I wasn’t the richest nigga, but I had a vision, and I capitalized off that shit. Now I’m my own plug. You feel me?”
