by HJ Bellus
I find Sunni curled up in a ball in the center of the bed. Her waves of curls cascade all around her like a halo. Her creamy skin is exposed from the waist up. The streetlight streaming through the curtains highlights her perfect nipples.
“Down, boy,” I whisper to myself and squeeze my hardening dick.
I kick off my boots, slip out of the rest of the damn stiff clothes, and walk to the edge of the bed. I take a moment to soak this woman in. Never knew a person would come by and knock me on my ass. I’d have called anyone a liar if they told me any different. Sunni Brown has proven me wrong time after time.
Her phone rests on the pillow next to her. I snag it and look around for a charger. It slips from my hand, crashing on the hardwood floor. The sound echoes around the room, sounding like a damn grenade.
“Shit,” I hiss, bending over to pick it up.
The screen lights up when I do. What I see on the screen has my blood running cold. My jaw cramps and my spine stiffen when I stare at the picture taunting me.
“Fuck.”
The high definition picture of me up on stage with two ring girls dangling off me with their lips sealed on each of my cheeks glints back at me. I glance back to Sunni, checking for evidence of tears or at least a tear-stained pillow, to find nothing.
Did she not cry herself to sleep? Why isn’t she awake, brewing, and angry as hell? Something is off. I push it to the back of mind and crawl into bed. I place her phone face down on the nightstand. Sunni rustles around in the bed when I pull her to me.
“Jag.” My name falls from her lips in a sleepy, heavy haze.
“Yeah, baby, I’m home.” I kiss her forehead.
Sunni nuzzles into my chest while wrapping her arm around me. She takes a deep inhale and sighs.
“How was the rest of the night?” she mumbles.
Is she baiting me? Fuck, I’ve played this game with women for years now. Her body is lax and not tense at all. She’s melted in my arms and content. Not a single factor of her being pissed.
I run my fingers through her loose curls. “It turned into a shit show after Landon Chandler showed his face.”
“Are you okay?” Her head pops up, concern covering her features.
I kiss her lips before answering. “I’m fine, baby girl. Are you okay?”
“I am now.” She smirks.
“I saw your phone.” I rip the Band-Aid right off the seeping wound. I refuse to let misunderstandings ruin us.
She tilts her head, still relaxed, not growing pissed off.
“The picture of the women kissing me.” I help her out, cutting through all the bullshit.
She sits up, her palm planted on my chest. Her naked skin is exposed to me. “Are you mad at me?”
“For what?” My brain spins in confusion. I’m so lost right now. She’s the one who should be livid at me.
“Googling your name.” Sunni throws her leg over me into a straddling position. “I searched your name because I wanted you by me. I looked at the images, loving your younger ones. When I refreshed, that picture popped up.”
“And?” I cock an eyebrow up and palm her ass.
“I saw that picture then read the article.” She nibbles on her lower lip. “Are you excited for the match?”
I sit up until I’m inches from her face. “Are you not pissed off about the pictures?”
She shrugs.
“None of that shit.” I tilt my forehead to hers. “Hit me with the truth. This is our space, and you need to drop the façade.”
Her lower lip trembles. “I didn’t enjoy seeing it nor will I ever. Other women on your arm will never be something I enjoy. It took me a few moments to realize it’s all a part of your career. I took a deep breath and remembered how much you love me. It grounded me, then I fell asleep.”
“That’s it?” I ask.
“That’s it, Jag. Don’t get me wrong, it will take me time to get used to your world, but I will because of you.”
“It was all a publicity stunt. Honestly, I was more focused on the shit going down than the tramps on my arms. Once their lips landed on my cheek, I flipped. The reporter must have had a quick trigger finger.”
“Don’t.” Her hands roam up the back of my neck. “Don’t talk about it. That’s too much. As long as you let everyone know you’re mine, I’m good. I trust you, Jag.”
Sunni inhales sharply, letting me know those words weren’t comfortable for her to speak. They aren’t anywhere near simple for me to digest either. I was armed and guarded for a battle followed by a screaming shouting match. Shit, it’s the only way I know these things work.
“Thank you. I’m not saying those two words because you aren’t pissed over the picture, but you were honest, and that means everything to me, Sunni.”
This time her lips drop, sadness dances in her eyes, and it guts me.
“When you’re ready.” I lean down and kiss her collarbone. “When you’re ready, baby girl.”
Chapter 19
Sunni
“You’re here. Thank God.” Layla hands me Bella. “Can you watch her while I sort out this shit show?”
Layla races off toward the sea of people. I’m more than happy not to be involved in it. Stale French fry grease wafts off my pores. I needed to shower before heading here but didn’t want to miss the weigh in. It’s the one thing Jag asked me to attend this morning.
Five or six bodyguards swarm Bella and me. My heart seizes, and I step back.
“It’s fine, ma’am. We know who you are…”
My mind swims, and my vision blurs. I keep Bella clutched to my side. They’re here for me. My time’s up. Bella. I have Bella in my arms; she can’t be wrapped up in this mess. She’d come out a casualty for sure, being tied with my name.
“Are you okay?” One of the men grabs my shoulder, steadying me.
“Yeah.” I clear my throat. “What were you saying?”
“We know who you are. Jag and Boss have given strict orders to keep you safe. Now that you have Bella in your arms, there will be extra security on you.”
I gulp down the fear. The slivers and shards of the pain slice as they go down. Bella snaps me out of my trance when her tiny hands clap on my cheeks. “Wag.”
I look over at her. Her pointer finger waves wildly in the air. “Wag! Wag! Wag!”
Her voice grows louder each time she hollers his name. Even though the conference room is packed and wild with excitement, her sweet, little voice carries over the crowd. Jag peers up, recognizing his name. When he makes eye contact with us, Bella goes wild in some high-pitched warrior cry.
Jag tosses his head back in laughter and then sends her a wave-punch combo. It’s everything I can do to keep her in my arms. She chants his name over and over, calling out different punches. I manage to walk to a row of cushioned chairs perched against the back row. Since Jag, Boss, and Cruz are up on a stage, my view is perfect.
“Boobs.” Bella reaches down for the hem of her shirt and pulls it up, repeating the word over and over.
“Oh, honey.” I pull down her t-shirt.
My phone chirps, and I reach for it only to see Jag’s name on the screen.
Monster Cock: I fucking love you.
The sight of my phone distracts Bella from labeling her body parts. Her chubby fingers snag it out of my hands. I watch in amazement as she masters the buttons and swipes through my screens.
Her lower lip pops out and trembles. “Bubbles.”
“What, honey?” I push her bangs out of her face and adjust her bow on the top of her head.
“Bubbles.”
I’m lost. Clueless as she repeats the words over and over again, pounding the phone with her pudgy finger.
“Ma’am, let me.” One of the familiar bodyguards steps up and grabs the phone.
Bella’s inner demon comes out. I’ve never been afraid of Jag or Cruz after getting to know him, but the fit Bella is pitching right now has me fearing for my life. Her cry could pierce anyone’s eardrum. Her feet
and hands flail in the air. Her tiny body nearly squirms out of my grip.
“Here.” The bodyguard places the phone back in Bella’s view.
It’s like magic. Her cries stop, and she grabs the phone. Her giggles now ring around the room. Holy shit, I’ve never seen someone change moods so rapidly. Especially someone the size of Bella. The bodyguard places a sippy cup of juice next to my side and nods to me.
Not only does this little princess have a loving family, but also security and a babysitter wrapped in one. I place my lips on her feather-soft baby hair, relishing in her sweet scent.
“You’re so blessed to have so many people who love you,” I whisper to her.
Bella doesn’t glance up from my phone as she pops bubbles with her chubby finger. The chaos in the room is deaf on her ears.
Layla gives me a thumbs up from the stage and an apologetic grimace. I smile back brightly, loving the spot I’m in even with Bella’s outburst. There’s lots of movement and waiting until another man followed by his own army joins the room. That’s when the noise level rises as well as the tension in the room.
Jag crosses his arms over his chest; it’s then I realize what’s printed on his shirt. My cheeks flame into a fiery inferno. I taste like honey. Free taste tasting. The phrase is followed up by a down arrow pointing to Jag’s junk. The morning in our kitchen floods back in.
Leave it up to Jag to throw some humor in this tense situation. I’d be the only one to pick up on the joke. Jag doesn’t show one side of his jackass humor. Once the other men joined the stage, he’s all game. That look on his face when he’s about to enter the ring is held firmly in place.
What happens next is confusing as hell. Jag and another man stare at each other like they’d like to rip their heads off. This all happens after they stepped on a scale and their weights were announced. Now they stare into each other’s eyes, nose to nose, and ready to rip one another body’s apart.
I squeeze Bella for security. She doesn’t pay me a piece of attention, absorbed in the game on my phone. I glance around, and nobody else seems to think anything is off. I’m ready for the two men to throw punches. They remain frozen for long, drawn-out moments.
Jag’s opponent is the first one to step back. He pounds his chest and roars to the crowd. He doesn’t stop there, showboating the entire time. Jag doesn’t engage. He yanks on his t-shirt, keeping his game face in place. Boss and Cruz stand by his side with identical looks covering their features.
It’s like black and white between the two teams. One quiet, confident, and respectful while the other is vocal. I couldn’t be any prouder of Jag than at this moment. This isn’t him, and I know it’s taken every ounce of his strength to remain quiet. A gentle smile dances across my face as I watch the man I love stand with pride and confidence.
My chest tightens with love as each second ticks by. My phone holds Bella’s attention until the room clears out. I don’t move, waiting for Jag and the rest of the crew. They disappeared behind a closed door about twenty minutes ago. Even though there’s only about ten people left, the bodyguards remain right next to me. They’re quiet and not overwhelming, and deep down, it’s comforting.
A door next to the stage bursts open. It’s the first time Bella looks up from the phone. She tosses it to the floor and leaps from my lap, screaming out her version of Jag. He drops to his knees without a second thought, throwing his arms wide open.
“I swear we are chopped liver when he’s around,” Cruz grumbles.
“I know.” Layla pats his chest. “She’s still a daddy’s girl. Don’t you worry about that.”
“It’s because he’s a damn clown. What little kid wouldn’t love him?” Boss adds.
I stand up and stretch out my limbs. It’s the truth. Boss couldn’t have said it any better. Jag’s future children will never have any idea how blessed they are. I don’t let the sadness creep in and lock it out. This is Jag’s moment.
“Jag already said yes, but I want to pass it by you first.” Layla directs her words at me.
“What’s that? Should I be scared?”
Everyone laughs.
“You’re a smart girl.” Boss wraps an arm around my shoulders, surprising me.
When Layla is done laughing, she clues me in. “Any other time I’d say yes. It’s nothing big. Cruz and I want to go to a local concert, and Jag volunteered to babysit Bella.”
“We’d love her,” I say without thought.
“Are you sure? She’s a handful.”
“Trust me, she scared the crap out of me earlier when I didn’t know what ‘bubbles’ were.”
Cruz’s shoulders shake. “I saw your panic from the stage. Good thing she has all these men trained.”
We continue talking, waiting for Jag and Bella to finish their wrestling match. I find out the bodyguards are up-and-coming fighters. Hell, I thought it was something official and fancy. It cements the fact these men are a family, one where bonds can’t be broken and your back will always be covered.
“Madré. Madré.” Bella races up, throwing her balled fists into Layla’s thigh. Once she has her mom’s attention, she pats her little chest over the Diablo Throne’s logo. “I go Wag.”
Layla kneels down and speaks to her daughter in Spanish. The only word I pick up is yes, and whatever else she says appeases Bella. Her eyes light up, she races to her dad and gives him kisses and hugs, then is in Jag’s arms.
“You forgetting someone?” Boss steps over to Jag and holds his arms up.
Bella squeals something in Spanish and loves on her grandpa. She doesn’t leap out of his arms but instead snuggles into his chest while we finish up talking. Layla tells me everything about Bella and the time they expect to be home.
Cruz and Layla finally leave after peppering their daughter with kisses. She couldn’t care less her parents are leaving. I think that might hurt them more than the fact that they are leaving their daughter.
“Come to Wag.” Bella squeezes Boss’ cheeks.
“It’s my bedtime, baby Bella.”
Her bottom lip pops out on cue, and tears well in her eyes.
“C’mon, old man, we have an extra steak and dose of Geritol.” Jag slaps him on the back. “Shit, you can even sleep over. We can pick up a pair of Depends on the way home.”
I hear Boss grumble as we walk out the door. Pretty sure he’d kick Jag’s ass if he weren’t holding his granddaughter in his arms. One of the things I love the most about this town is everything is pretty much within walking distance. Jag holds my hand as we walk the six blocks to our apartment.
Boss and Jag talk about the fight tomorrow. I’m shocked they’re so calm about it. You’d think they were talking about a money transfer or placing an order for a case of ketchup and not a match where one or both men will get beaten to a bloody pulp. I cringe, thinking of the bruises on Jag’s face from the last fight that took a good week to heal up.
Jag unlocks the apartment and holds the door open for all of us to enter.
“Let me go change, then I’ll start dinner,” I announce.
Jag follows me back to our bedroom while Boss and Bella make themselves comfortable on the couch. She’s never been here since I moved, but it’s clear she’s visited her Uncle Jag before by the way she makes herself at home as she kicks off her sparkly shoes.
“Babe, I’ll cook. You worked today.” Jag grabs my hips, pulling my back to his chest.
“It’s not like you’ve been lying around and eating potato chips.” I wrap both arms back around his neck. “Go relax and enjoy. My man needs to win tomorrow.”
“Babe, are you sure?” He kisses the side of my neck.
“Go.” I push off him. “Let me change out of these stinky clothes, and I’ll be out there.”
Jag grumbles and gropes my ass before leaving the room. The happy chatter outside energizes my exhausted limbs. The tiredness in my feet fades away as I move about the bathroom, throwing on comfy lounge clothes.
Bella has the two men enter
tained when I reemerge and head into the kitchen. I had a salad and cut-up veggies prepped from a few nights ago. It takes no time to cook the steaks on a George Foreman grill. It’s the loaded potatoes that take the most time. Jag had told me he’d need to carb load tonight. I looked up a recipe on Pinterest yesterday and found all the ingredients.
“You keep teaching her bad things, and Layla is going to kick your ass.”
“Ass. Ass. Ass.” Bella follows the men in the kitchen, chirping away.
Jag laughs, encouraging the behavior. Boss scoops the little girl up in his arms, doing his best to correct his wrong. Jag grabs a beer out of the fridge for Boss and pours me a glass of wine. I take a sip and kiss him without thinking. Everything feels so damn natural between us.
We enjoy several laughs and a great meal. Our impromptu visitors are perfect to relax Jag before his big unexpected fight.
Chapter 20
Sunni
The sun assaults my skin through the open curtains, offering up the perfect warmth to keep me in a sleepy haze. I should get up. Layla and Cruz showed up around midnight last night to pick up Bella. Jag and Bella had long since passed out on the couch while watching a marathon of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
Of course, this was before Jag unrolled two entire paper towel rolls and made swords out of the tubes. They didn’t last long, and soon Jag became Bella’s personal trained fire-breathing dragon, and they conquered all the lands. Boss snuck out in the middle of the action. It was nice getting to know him more. I’m not sure if it was the beer and the wine that made our conversation flow or if it was just Jag’s loving nature.
Monster Cock: Roses are red. Violets are fine. You be the six, and I’ll be the nine.
I shake my head at Jag’s insane text. The man devoured me last night and this morning before heading out to the gym. He left at six in the morning to get his head in the right frame of mind.
Me: You did that this morning. Was it that forgettable?