Chapter 6

6

K arrington

“You ready?” Beethoven asked, checking the time on his Audemars Piguet.

It made me smile because, when we all came into our wealth, we spent our money the way drug dealers and athletes did—Audemars Piguet and Rolexes, houses and cars for our people, and completely new wardrobes. Over the years, we learned the importance of investing and flipping our money, but the watches we all had were reminders of where we’d come from.

Even though I’d told the crew they didn’t have to join me, they insisted. It was Eyela’s graduation, and I wanted to see her. Be in her presence. The graduation was technically closed, but that meant nothing for men like us. A row in the corner of the stadium had been cleared for me and my people. As we walked in, I felt a bit more nervous than expected. There was something chilling about laying eyes on a woman who was not only a stranger but my fiancée.

Once we were all settled in our seats, I made sure my phone was on Do Not Disturb.

“Aye,” Merc called, nudging me with his shoulder. “We taking sis out after this? I’m hungry as fuck.”

I chuckled and shook my head. They had already accepted Eyela’s place in my life even though I hadn’t.

“Nah. I’m not even going to speak to her. I just… needed to see her, you know?”

Merc nodded. “I feel you. Well, we going out after this. We gon’ turn up in her honor.”

“That’s cool with me.”

The ceremony was boring as most graduations were. This one was different because as valedictorians and salutatorians were able to give speeches, rising stars in the music program were able to perform solos. Eyela had been chosen to perform, and pride soared within me at the sound of her name. My brothers cheered as she made her way on stage, and she looked around bashfully, probably trying to figure out who was causing so much commotion on her behalf.

I just… stared at her. The picture of her I’d seen didn’t do her any justice.

Her long, jet black hair flowed with each step she took. It came down to her ass, and I couldn’t wait to run my fingers through it and see if it was real. She was so poised, so graceful. It didn’t look like she was walking—she literally floated across the stage. A flowing white gown covered her slim frame. I was looking at a literal angel. The serious expression that covered her cashew brown skin broke into a small smile when she sat behind the piano. In one swift motion, she pulled her hair up into a high bun. After securing it, Eyela ran her fingers over the keys.

Loki, who was standing off to the side of the stage, looked at me for confirmation. I nodded. He was supposed to present her with a few gifts from me after they called her name, but after her performance seemed like a better time.

And what a performance it was.

I hung on to every note she played.

This wasn’t the first time I’d heard someone play the piano, but what Eyela did… it affected me in a way no one else had before. My fingers gripped my suit pants, my eyes remained closed, and it felt like I couldn’t breathe until she played the last note out of fear I’d miss something. It was haunting, soothing, and beautiful all in one.

When she stood and took her bow, nearly everyone in the stadium was on their feet clapping.

Loki quickly made his way onto the stage. I saw her father’s people heading in their direction, but as Loki whispered in her ear, she lifted her hand and stopped them. A smile lifted the corners of her mouth as she accepted the flowers and gift bags. Her eyes searched the room for me, but I intentionally hid my face.

“Yo, she’s pretty as fuck, Kare,” Bully said, causing me to lower my hand and look at him.

“That’s my fucking wife, bruh.”

He laughed and lifted his hands in surrender. “I know. I’m just saying. Sis is really, really pretty.”

“Not you being territorial already,” Toe joked as we stood to exit.

“You damn right.” I agreed, shoving Bully out of the row we were in. “She might not have my last name yet, but she’s mine.”

“So? You can’t stop men from appreciating her beauty,” Bully teased, and I was actually grateful for it. If I couldn’t depend on him and Beethoven to do anything else, I could depend on them to talk shit and joke with me. It almost made things feel normal. Almost .

“I can actually. I can rip their eyes out. They won’t be able to look at her or anyone else.”

“This nigga,” Merc grumbled with a shake of his head.

“I can see we’re about to have our hands full,” Asylum said, and unfortunately, my heart told me he was right.

A Few Hours Later

I hadn’t had one drink, but I let the crew indulge on my behalf. After what happened the last time, I didn’t want to risk my hurt and anger getting the best of me. We’d rented out space in Tyreek’s gentlemen’s club to turn up tonight, and even without smoking or drinking, I was enjoying myself.

It felt good to have something good to think about… even if Eyela didn’t know how proud of her I was. How impressed with her I was. Ever since we left, I hadn’t been able to get her off my mind. As possessive as I felt about the guys admiring her beauty, I couldn’t deny just how beautiful she was. She had the prettiest, most delicate features, and I was a sucker for a beautiful woman.

When my phone vibrated and I saw that it was Caesar, I headed outside. I knew the call would have disconnected by the time I got there, but I wanted privacy and silence to hear what he had to say. The contract hadn’t been signed yet, and I didn’t need him changing his mind.

Outside, I returned his call, and he answered on the second ring. “Hello?”

“Caesar… is everything good to go?”

“Yeah. My daughter wanted to speak with you. One second.”

“Oh. I—”

“Hello?”

The sound of her sweet, low voice made my dick harden.

“Eyela?”

She didn’t respond right away. “Hi.”

Slowly, my lips spread into a smile as I leaned against the brick wall. “Hey.”

Eyela cleared her throat. “Um… I just wanted to thank you for the gifts. You didn’t have to do that at all, but I really appreciate the gesture.”

“You’re welcome. Congratulations. I’m proud of you, and you did a wonderful job. The solo… touched me. I don’t know any other way to describe it.”

Her light giggle sounded like more music to my ears. “Thank you. I’m happy you came and that you enjoyed my playing.”

“How many instruments do you play?”

“Let’s see…” Silence filled the line as she thought about it. “Piano, harp, guitar, violin, flute. Five. Six if you include my voice.”

“Wow, that’s impressive.” I locked in the mental note to have a music room set up for her in what would be our home.

Caesar said something in the background that made her sigh. “I have to go, Karrington, but thank you again.”

“You’re welcome. Enjoy your evening, Eyela.”

“You as well.”

After disconnecting the call, I stood outside for a while, wanting to enjoy the remnants of our conversation. She seemed cool, but who knew how things would play out between us when we actually got married. Only time would tell.