He chuckled and shook his head. “Never thought I’d see the day my sons would be sad they couldn’t go shoot a nigga up. How did y’all turn out so crazy?”
Him making light of the situation made us all laugh. I started to tell him it was his fault. The more he tried to shield us from that dangerous part of his life, the more it appealed to us. After this situation, though, I could honestly say I wasn’t sure I wanted to be an enforcer anymore. The senseless killings and danger Heir was in just because of a man who felt entitled to her made me not want to have anything to do with the streets. And even though I wasn’t sure if Kiana’s baby was mine or not, just the thought of having a baby on the way made me want to stay completely legit.
As quietly as Itried to get into bed, as soon as it dented, Heir woke up. I’d been home long enough to shower and take a shot. It was supposed to be celebratory because Pops and my uncles had found Iman’s compound, infiltrated it, and took out him and a few of his men. But as the brown liquor slid down my throat, it felt more like a calming shot to seal Iman’s fate. I’d be lying if I said I hated that he and Jay had lost their lives. When it camedown to my wife,anybodycould get it. What I hated was the fact that it had even come to this, but at least Heir was free and it was over.
“Babe,” she called, reaching for me.
“I’m here.”
As soon as I was within reach, she pulled me down to her and hugged me, wrapping her leg around me.
“What happened? Is it over?”
Sighing, I ran my hand down her hair and neck. She must have accidentally fallen asleep because she never went to bed without wrapping her hair.
“We did our statements. Based on camera footage, we’re cleared for Jay and his partnas. Self-defense for me and defense of others for my folks.” I felt her body deflate against me. “And Iman has been handled.”
“All of your people made it out okay?”
“They did.”
She thanked God and then me. “I’msoglad this is over.”
“Same,” I mumbled, releasing a long breath.
“What’s wrong?” she asked, sensing my mood.
“I’on know, bae,” I grumbled as she snuggled against me.
After kissing my chin, she challenged me with, “Yes, you do. Do you just not want to accept it or talk about it?”
As much as I hated how well she knew me already, I also loved it.
“I don’t think I want to be an enforcer anymore.”
“Why not?”
“This street shit is all fun and games until someone you love is in danger. I was cool with it until you were involved.”
“What happened with me wasn’t your fault, babe. You did what you did protecting me, and things just snowballed after that.”
“That’s true, but I can’t ignore the fact that Iman tried to use you to get to me. I also can’t ignore that he’s a clear representation of the kind of men I’ll have to deal with in the streets. And some will be worse.” I sighed and relaxed against her as she rubbed my back. “And then I’m thinking about the baby. Even if it's not mine, it took Kiana’s pregnancy to realize how my pops felt when he retired from the streets. I don’t want to be involved with anything that I can’t be proud of, nor do I want my hands in anything that could cause you or our children harm.”
“Well, whatever you decide, I support you. Do you plan to continue to manage the academy and take on private clients? Or do you want to pivot altogether?”
“For now, I’ma stick to what I’ve been doing. If you going back to school inspires me, I’ll cross that bridge then.”
Her hand slid up and down my arm as she declared, “I’m proud of you. And I’m happy to be your wife.” My smile stretched at the realization that she finally called herself what she’d always been to me. “I love you, Marz.”
Tilting her head, I kissed her lips. “I love you too.”
A week had passedsince everything went down, and now that I no longer had to worry about Jay and Iman, Kiana had less grace. I went up to her job, hoping bringing her favorite salad would make our conversation a little easier. She eyed me skeptically as she took a small bite, and I couldn’t help but laugh.
“What you lookin’ at me like I’m holding you hostage for?” I asked.
“Because I feel like you’re up to something, but I don’t want to know what.”
“I was hoping if you were full and happy that we could agree to a time and day for the paternity test. I’m not leaving here without that being done, Kee.”