by B. Love
They hadn’t spoken to each other since the funeral, and Cassius had no idea what he would say to her if she even let him inside of her office. Hearing those words come out of Eira’s mouth put things in a different perspective. In a real perspective. It was one thing for him to brush off love and friends… but when it came to his family… that shit hurt him to his core. It was time for him to not only make love and Treasure his priority but strengthening his bonds with his family as well.
Losing Trevor should have been a wakeup call that none of them took lightly. None of them knew when their time would be up, and it would be in their best interest if they did whatever it took to make the most of it.
Before going into Treasure’s office, Cassius sent everyone in his family and Kameron the same text that invited them to his place for a set later that evening. He put his phone on do not disturb so the vibrations wouldn’t distract him, then headed for his treasure.
When he walked inside, Cassius was greeted by the receptionist. He walked over to her desk and asked if Treasure was in even though he saw her car outside. The receptionist told him that she was then asked if he had an appointment. Cassius told her no, so she offered to see if Treasure could see him. Instead of having a seat like she offered, Cassius headed to the back towards Treasure’s office. Whether she said she had time or not, she was going to see him regardless.
The receptionist’s heels clicked behind him, letting him know that she was following him before he heard her voice telling him that he couldn’t just burst into Treasure’s office.
“Yes I can,” was all he said before he turned the doorknob and stepped inside of her office, slamming the door in her receptionists face in the process.
Treasure rolled her eyes and tried to her hardest to hide her smile. “You are so damn rude. Get out and go apologize.”
“I ain’t apologizing for shit.”
“Cassius.”
Cassius groaned and turned around. She only called him that when she meant business. Opening the door, he headed back down the hall and mumbled a quick apology before returning to Treasure’s office. She was still reading over the papers on her desk, as if she wasn’t fazed by his presence at all, but Cassius was burning up on the inside at the sight of her. Treasure seemed to have gotten even more beautiful over this past week, and he wasn’t sure how that was even possible.
“Is everything okay, Cash?” The fact that she didn’t even bother to look up as she spoke to him irritated him. Treasure knew he demanded respect, and that included looking in his eyes when you talked to him.
Deciding to play her game, Cassius sat in one of the chairs on the opposite side of her desk and remained silent until she looked up at him.
“How are you?”
She smiled with one side of her mouth. “You made it clear that you don’t care how I feel when you kicked me out, so what do you want?”
“I want you.” Treasure’s eyes rolled as she dropped her pen onto her desk and sat back in her seat. “I know what I did and how I did it was fucked up, but I felt like that was necessary. In that moment, all I could think about was handling business, and I didn’t want to neglect you or put you in harm’s way because of it.”
“What’s changed?”
“It ain’t that big of a priority to me no more.” When she didn’t say anything, Cassius continued. “If I felt like apologizing would earn your forgiveness, I would, but I know you require actions to prove remorse. So I’m here to ask for the chance to make amends.”
Treasure nibbled on her bottom lip for a moment before sighing and shaking her head. “You’re right, I don’t want an apology, because I don’t want you to think that’s all it takes to make what you did okay. Even though you’ve seen the error in your ways, there can’t be anything between us if you feel as if it’s okay to shut down on me and not take my feelings into consideration. If we’re going to have a partnership, you have to remember that you’re not the only person that matters.”
“I know that; I just need the chance to show you.”
Treasure paused and thought over his request again.
“Fine, but this is the only other chance you’ll ever get. I don’t give men multiple chances to show me that they don’t want or value me. And if I didn’t know you as friend, you wouldn’t even have this one.”
Cassius stood, letting her shit talking go in one ear and out of the other. She had her chest poked out now, but all it took was some sweet talking and wining and dining for her to be purring in his ear again.
“I’m having a set tonight and I invited the family over. Can you come through so I can start making this up to you?”
With a smile, Treasure picked up her papers and straightened them out before laying them flat and grabbing her pen. “Thanks, but I have other plans.”
Cassius was no fool. Her ass was boring as hell. The only plans she had was a popcorn and wine date with Netflix.
“Cool. Well can I call you tonight at least?”
Her smile widened as she nodded. “That’s fine, Cash. Tell everyone I said hello.”
Making his way around her desk, Cassius licked his lips. He was unable to resist. There was no way in hell he could be this close to her and not feel her lips. As he lowered himself and she tilted her head, he decided to exercise all the self-control he had and kiss the corner of her mouth instead.
“I’m picking you up after my family leaves. Have a bag packed, and don’t make me wait outside for long.”
Her tongue rolled around her cheek as she gave him an open mouthed smile. Even though Treasure didn’t say yes, she didn’t say no either.
Instead of going straight home, Cassius stopped by the store to grab some meat for the grill. He told everyone else to bring sides, liquor, and something for dessert. By the time he made it home, it was a little after three, and that gave him more than enough time to chill and take a nap before it was time to start seasoning the meat.
Cassius ended up starting a text conversation with Treasure before falling asleep, and he didn’t wake up for four hours. At that point, he took a shower and refreshed his hygiene then seasoned and marinated his meat. Even though he told everyone to come at eight, Estella and Ai were always early because they genuinely wanted to help. They both came at seven something, prompting him to throw some hot dogs and smoke sausages on the grill so they would have something to eat while they waited for everyone else.
It wasn’t long before everyone else arrived. The music was blasting, blunts were being passed, drinks were flowing, and Cassius and Diem was beating everybody’s ass in spades. The vibe was good as hell, letting Cassius know the night of fun was most definitely needed. Only person missing was Eira. And Treasure.
When his doorbell rang a couple of hours in, Cassius excitedly went to answer it thinking Treasure had changed her mind. His entire mood was fucked up at the sight of James. He started not to answer but he knew James would just call him to come to the door if he didn’t. Cassius opened the door with a scowl that was unmistakable… not that he’d try to hide it anyway.
“Fuck you doing here?”
“Your mama told me about it and said I should come and apologize for how shit went down.”
“I don’t need your apology.”
“And I don’t want to give it. But me and E are having enough problems as it is. I’m not trying to hear her mouth about how I did you wrong.”
Not caring either way, Cassius released a sigh and stepped to the side so James could enter. The moment they walked into the living room, everyone’s laughter and conversation ceased. All eyes went from James to Cassius and he shrugged. It wasn’t his bright idea for the man to be there.
Sensing the tension, James was on the offensive in his usual fashion.
“What? Y’all don’t want me here?” When no one replied, he laughed and widened his stance. “Y’all wish it was me that was gone instead of him, don’t you?”
“Sit down and have a beer, James,” Estella suggested, trying to lighte
n the mood.
“No, fuck that. Y’all wish I was the one dead. Say it!”
“You gon’ have to leave if you gon’ be on that bullshit, Rock,” Cassius warned returning to his seat. “Everybody having a good time and I ain’t about to let you fuck that up. Sit your ass down and have a drink and some ribs or bounce. Either one is cool with me.”
Slowly, everyone began to return their attention to their conversations and the game. James stood there for a while before yelling to hell with all of them and storming off. Though Cassius smiled, he tried his hardest to hold his laugh in, but that was damn near impossible when Ai’s already tipsy ass burst into a fit of giggles.
“Why y’all do Rock like that?” she asked, clutching her stomach as she continued to laugh.
“Mane, forget him. He’ll be cool in the morning,” Chief assured her. “A nigga ain’t got time to be stroking his ego and babysitting his jealous ass.”
Cassius shook his head before slamming his cards down on the table, refusing to let James or anyone else fuck up his night.
Chapter 17
Xi was approaching their table, as if there was no fear or bitch in his blood, and as much as Eiryx wanted to deny it… she liked that shit. After they had so much fun at Cassius’ impromptu set two days ago, Eiryx and her siblings decided to go out tonight. There was a lot going on that they needed to vent about and celebrate, so they decided to go to dinner and hit up the club to do so.
To start, no one on their team had snitched yet from when their shipment was intercepted, so that was good.
Diem had finally found a man worth her time and effort. Yesterday, her and Cassius had to make an example out of someone who used to be on their team. When asked who he wanted to get his ass whooping from, he chose Diem, as if he expected it to be easier to handle coming from a woman. He learned quickly that that was a mistake, and Diem’s knuckles were bruised and cut up because of it.
When Deacon called her for a random lunch date, she declined because she didn’t want him to see her with blood on her clothes and hands. She lied and said she didn’t feel good, and he popped up on her to take care of her. His concern softened her even more towards him, and that heightened when he didn’t judge her. Instead, he kissed her knuckles, ran her a nice bath, gave her a full body massage, and spent the rest of the day making love to her.
Diem was on cloud nine – until she heard him having a muffled conversation before leaving without so much as a goodbye. She hadn’t talked to him since, so this night out was much needed for her. Eiryx and Ai tried to convince her not to overreact and think the worse while her brothers felt as if she should cut her losses and do away with Deacon now if he was showing signs of inconsistency or that he couldn’t be trusted.
Chief wanted to take Remington out to celebrate because in a short amount of time, the city had shown her so much love because of Gray. When she first went live and explained how she’d fucked herself up making a man her everything and had to start all over because of it, her books filled immediately with people who genuinely wanted her to do their hair and some paid deposits just to send donations her way. And when word began to spread that Gray had been killed, everyone swore it was his karma for the way he’d treated her and several other women while they were together.
Today, she signed the lease for her own shop again, and she was able to make the down payment on her own. Even though Chief offered to buy her a building or pay the deposit if she preferred renting, Remington made it clear that this was something she had to do for herself and by herself.
And Eira… Eira proved his loyalty by deciding not to bring anyone from the family down with him. He told his lawyer that he would be facing the charges alone. On top of that, he asked that no one from his family or Sienna visit him while he did his time because that would only make things harder for all included.
Needless to say, with the mix of both good and bad things happening for them, the whole family wanted to step out and get loose.
For the most part, everyone’s mood was chill, and Eiryx wanted to keep it that way. With that in mind, she quickly stood from her seat and headed away from the table before Xi could get to it. Her sisters already knew what was up, but her brothers still had no idea that Xi was the reason Gray was dead and that she’d had a moment with him.
Casually, Eiryx headed in the direction of the bathroom and Xi followed behind.
As soon as he was within her personal space, Xi trapped her between his body and the wall. She looked to the left, as if she’d be able to see her family, but Xi cupped her chin and pulled her attention back to him.
“What are you doing here?” she asked, pushing his hand down, even though she enjoyed the feel of his skin against hers.
“This is my club. Why wouldn’t I be here?”
Eiryx released a hard exhale as she closed her eyes and rested her head on the wall. Her family couldn’t have known that as much as they frequented the club. They wouldn’t have put money in their competitions pocket like that. Still, Eiryx had to give it to Xi – his club was one of the hottest spots for after hours in Memphis.
“You don’t want your folks to see you with me, Eiryx?”
She opened her eyes at the sound of his question, getting annoyed by the amusement in his eyes and small smile lifting the corners of his mouth.
“No. So I would appreciate it if you didn’t try to talk to me when they were around.”
She tried to walk away, but he used his hand around her neck to gently push her back into the wall. Eiryx’s head turned to the left again, causing Xi to lean against the wall and block her view.
“I’m grown as hell; I’ll talk to you whenever the fuck I want around whoever the fuck I want. And why haven’t you called me yet?”
Her smile was wide this time as she crossed her arms over her chest. “Is there somewhere we can go and talk privately?”
Xi’s head shook. “If I get you alone, talking will be the last thing on my mind.”
Eiryx considered his insinuation momentarily before agreeing with, “That’s cool too.”
Xi held her gaze for a few seconds before taking her by the hand and leading her through the crowd. She appreciated his tall stature shielding her and keeping anyone she knew from seeing her. The entire time she walked behind him, Eiryx convinced herself that she was attracted to him because he was handsome, and he’d saved her. That it was natural for her to feel something for the man. That all she had to do was fuck him once, get him out of her system, and never care to see him again.
But when they walked into his office and he locked the door behind them, Eiryx felt feelings for him locking themselves inside of her heart, too. Xi’s hand gripped her thigh, and he wrapped her leg around him as he pressed her body into the wall. Avoiding his piercing dark eyes, Eiryx gripped his shirt and inhaled a shaky breath.
This was wrong, on some many levels, but that was partly what made this feel so right.
“Why haven’t you called me?” Xi asked again.
“I thought we weren’t coming back here to talk?”
Xi smirked, releasing her leg and tugging her over to his desk. He sat her on top of it before pulling her panties down and stuffing them into his pocket. Eiryx laughed, but her laugh was silenced quickly when Xi placed her hand on his already hard dick.
“That’s what happens every time I see your ass. You need to quit playing and give a nigga a chance, Ree.”
Instead of replying vocally, Eiryx wrapped her legs around his waist and lifted his shirt over his head.
There would never be any denying their attraction to each other, and if what happened with Gray didn’t happen, neither of them would have acted on it. Eiryx reasoned within herself, that that was all the proof she needed that she’d be able to cut him off when this was over. Her hand went to the button on his jeans, but Xi wrapped his hand around her wrist.
“You don’t get the dick until after I get the number.”
Her mouth fell open before she laughed an
d yelled, “Xi!”
“Nah. I’m serious, Ree. You ain’t finna hit it and quit it. Give me your number or you don’t get the dick.”
With a pout, Eiryx considered his stipulation. Her arms crossed over her chest, but they lowered and went to his shoulders when he asked, “You need a reason to believe you need me on constant rotation,” while spreading her legs wide. But before he could lower himself to devour her pussy, the door to his office was being kicked in.
It seemed as if protecting her was Xi’s natural instinct at this point, because he was quick to push her down into his desk while pulling his gun from his back.
“The fuck?” he gritted, causing Eiryx to look around him.
The sight of Chief and Cassius had her rolling her eyes as she sat up.
“Get the hell out,” she yelled, using Xi to shield her body. Even though her dress was still on, the vulnerability of the moment they caught her in made her feel naked under their eyes.
“You lucky I ain’t come right in here and put a bullet in your motherfuckin’ head, Xi. Fuck you think you doing?” Chief questioned, stepping towards them with his gun still pointed in Xi’s direction.
Eiryx hopped down off his desk quickly and stepped between them. She looked to Cassius for help since he was usually the most sensible between her brothers, but he looked just as upset as Chief.
“Put the gun down, Chief,” she pleaded, placing her hand on top of his wrist. Slowly, she lowered his arm. Chief grabbed hers and used it to almost drag her out of the office. Forcing herself not to look back at Xi, she tried to wiggle free of Chief’s grip.
“The fuck wrong with you, man?” Chief checked, tightening his grip on her. “Don’t let me catch you with that mane again.”
“You are not my daddy.”
“I don’t care. Stay away from him, Eiryx. And that’s all I’ma say about the shit.”
Chief released her, pushing her forward and in front of him in the process. Eiryx quickly made her way through the crowd, ready to take her ass home already. Even if she didn’t want to see Xi again after tonight, the rebel in her made her want him even more since her family was trying so hard to keep her away from him.
