5. Anastazia

COUPLE DAYS LATER…

I was due to go in to my new job in a couple days, so I decided to take myself out to have a drink and possibly a meal if my appetite showed up.

Not wanting to be bothered, I ended up at the Compton Boys’ diner, knowing it was very secluded and so much so that you couldn’t even peek inside due to the way the trees, branches, and vines were placed. It was the perfect haven for people who didn’t want to be bothered.

“Do you have a reservation?” a woman standing right inside of the entrance asked me.

I wanted to get into the back lounge area, and judging by the snooty look on this bitch’s face, I could surmise that a reservation was needed.

“Oh, no, I don’t have one.”

“Well, I’m sorry. The lounge room is fully booked as well as the diner.”

Damn.

“Okay, thank you.” I smiled at her, and she shot a fake one back before focusing down on her phone.

“Anastazia.” A deep voice sounded off behind me, and it was one I was all too familiar with now.

“Hey.” I turned to see Asif shutting the door to his Maserati and strolling over.

He looked so good—hair freshly twisted, clothes looking like they came straight from the cleaners—and his cologne had already danced its way over to me as he swaggered my way.

“What you doing here? You following me?” He smirked cutely.

“No. As you can see, I was here first, but don’t worry. I will be leaving.”

“Why?” His lids lowered, tongue dragging across his supple bottom lip as he took me in.

“I don’t have a reservation,” I admitted.

Not saying a word, Asif placed his hand on the small of my back to guide me in, and my stomach began to do an impression of Simone Biles as he led me back to the entrance. I felt frozen, not wanting to make any sudden moves with his hand on me like this. I couldn’t help but to sneak peeks at the way his tatted arms looked in the short-sleeved Louis Vuitton polo style shirt.

“She don’t need a reservation,” he told the woman plainly, no introduction or anything.

“Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t know she was associated with the family.” She damn near panicked. “I’m so sorry, Mr. St. Thomas, and I would appreciate it if we kept this from Mr. Compton.” She giggled nervously, referring to Shakur.

Ignoring her, Asif gave me a sexy simper and gestured for me to go inside.

“Thank you.” I slipped past him to see the place was live with people dancing, eating, talking, and just having a good time as “You” by Lucy Pearl bumped throughout.

I hated that I was wondering where Asif was going and why he was taking so long to come inside. Shaking those thoughts from my mind, I took a step toward the bar but felt a much softer hand touch my arm.

“Hi, sorry. We have a table for you right over this way when you’re ready.” The same woman who was at the front moments ago, denying me entry, was grinning like a Cheshire Cat now. It was crazy how different she was now that she knew I was somewhat connected to the owners.

“Great, thanks.” I half smiled then continued on.

I went to order my drinks and then took a seat in the plush private booth. It wasn’t long before a waitress came over to take my order whilst also delivering my Sidecar cocktail. I, of course, went for the Presley’s Porkchop dish and took a large sip as the waiter walked off.

I made sure to pump enough milk to last Sophie all week, which was easier now that she was older, since she only drank breast milk sparingly.

“How you doing tonight, baby?” A baritone interrupted me reading an article on my phone.

I looked up to see a man with curly hair, light skin, minimal facial hair, and a bright gold watch. He was cute, but not as cute as he thought he was. I could tell he was used to getting women whenever he pleased, but I wasn’t going to be one of them.

“I’m fine.” I nodded, taking another sip.

“What you drinking on? I wanna pay ya tab.” He sat down.

“No, it’s fine. I don’t want you paying for my stuff thinking it’s gonna get you somewhere with me,” I stated truthfully.

His wide smile dropped for a second as he licked his lips, wiping the corners shortly after with his thumb and pointer finger. He laughed awkwardly, then briefly glanced off.

“Aight, well how about I get my drink and food then just eat with you?”

“No—”

Before I could finish, he hopped up and hurried off. Just as he did, I felt eyes on me and sure enough it was Asif. His MFM chain was shining, right along with his icy Rolex. He didn’t look happy or mad, just like he was observing the scene. A few women were surrounding him, trying with the utmost effort to steer his attention away from over here, but it wasn’t working.

Finally, he said something to one of his friends and started over this way. Like always, a nervousness filled me to the damn brim.

“Why you staring a nigga down?” he asked, leaning against the booth seat across from me. His deep caramel complexion looked so smooth and creamy, even with him having a very much roughneck appeal and look.

Laughing, I said, “You were staring at me. I only looked over because I felt eyes on me.”

“Oh, excuse me, man.” The light-skinned guy returned, plate and drink in hand.

Asif looked him up and down, then said, “We busy, nigga.”

Chuckling awkwardly again, the man replied, “Come on, man. I was here with her first.”

“Finders keepers, muthafucka.” Asif straightened up, no longer leaning on the booth seat and now slightly dwarfing the man. “Take ya loss like a man, lil nigga. You dismissed.”

“How about—” The man attempted to speak, but Asif chuckled, cutting him off, making it obvious he was getting irritated.

“ How ’bout you walk off while you still can, nigga. ’Cause if I have to put hands on you, then I gotta shoot you, and I don’t think getting bodied is worth a woman you never gon’ have. But you let me know.”

For a moment, they stared at one another, and I guess the man caught onto whom he was dealing with, so he simply nodded, gave me some sympathetic eye contact, and walked off.

“Thank you so much.” I snickered at Asif running his annoying ass off and how he kept checking over his shoulder at us as if he expected Asif to grow horns and carry a pitchfork.

“I gotta make sure you ain’t out here looking for a man, love, so don’t thank me.” He slipped his hands into his pockets, just as the waiter brought my food.

“Why can’t I be looking for a man? After what I endured, I deserve it.”

“Because when you start looking, yo’ eyes need to land on me.”

He didn’t crack one smirk or flirty smile as he spoke, just kept strong eye contact with me, so there was no room for me to wonder if he was serious or not.

I always knew Asif and I had a mutual attraction, but I figured it was nothing more than that. He would always politely speak to me when he saw me, and every so often, we would catch one another’s eyes, but it never gave that he wanted something with me. Now, though, it was very clear to me, with Cedric out of the way, he was trying to stake claim. Or maybe he was just using his gift of gab, something I’d learned that all men raised by Prime had.

“So you ready to play step daddy?”

“That’s already in a nigga’s blood. You forgot? I was put on earth to be a step daddy.” He smiled and I chortled, thinking of Lisara. “But I don’t play no roles, love. I live in the shit, show other muthafuckas how it’s done. That was supposed to be my baby anyway.”

“I didn’t know you when she was created.” I hated myself for cheesing at this shit he was laying down, but I couldn’t help it.

“Now you do. You bet not have another fucking baby that ain’t carrying my DNA.”

No smile was present on his handsome face.

Inhaling sharply to snap myself from this verbal tango, I said, “Well, you have nothing to worry about because I’m not looking. And if I was, it wouldn’t be with him. Plus with all those women you have staring over here right now, I would say you have your hands full.”

“I got some big hands, baby. That’s impossible. You can try though.”

“Oh my gosh.” I laughed before eating some of the honey chipotle pork chop, trying my best not to look at him because it was too much fine for one person to digest consistently. “I don’t compete for men though.”

“You won’t have to.” He leaned onto the booth more, resting his folded tatted arms atop it. “I’m gon’ put it to you like this though: Either you fucking with me or you single.” He shrugged subtly and nonchalantly.

“What if I don’t like those options?” I questioned, trying to ignore the stirring he’d caused between my legs. It’d been a long time since a man turned me on and an even longer time since I wanted to have sex.

Cedric had turned me completely off of relationships and anything that came with them, so the fact that Asif was awakening even a little bit of something inside of me said a lot.

“Then find you a nigga willing to go to war for you. But judging by ya track record, I doubt you can.”

“My ex was a psycho,” I admitted.

“Nah, he a coward. And I can tell you right now he not willing to do what I am for you.” His eye contact was so strong I had to glance away here and there. “He don’t even have the ability to.”

“What are you willing to do for me?” I put it as a joke, but I truly wanted to know.

“Anything.” He lifted his brows briefly.

“Oh… I see,” was all I could say, messing with my food instead of eating it. I wanted to remain calm even though on the inside, I was shrieking and bewildered.

Though I found myself to be pretty, I didn’t know what this man wanted with me. I was a single mother, I’d shot my ex, I could possibly be going to prison, and I couldn’t get a job without his help. A man like Asif had a plethora of options, so the math wasn’t mathing.

“I’ll let you be though, love. I’ll make sure no more niggas come bothering you tonight, tomorrow, the rest of the fucking year.” He backed away. “If you in the mood to be bothered, though, just shoot me a look, aight?”

“Alright.” I did my best not to blush, but I didn’t think it worked.

FIRST DAY…

Pulling up to the warehouse, I was beyond skittish. I’d been feeling this way the whole morning, all during the ride to drop Sophie at her aunt’s daycare, and still right now. I came half an hour early so I could give myself time to calm down. I didn’t want to pull up and immediately be thrown into my duties.

I knew everything about nursing like the back of my hand, so it wasn’t the actual job. It was more so being around Asif and then having to care for these types of men who lived such a fast paced and rough lifestyle. I just hoped they had some sense and decorum, because these LA niggas were known to get active from being turned down or embarrassed.

The door to the warehouse opened, and I noticed Grady step outside. Upon seeing me, he cheesed widely and started toward my car. Not wanting to be rude since he’d been pretty nice, considering who he was, I climbed out of the car.

“Damn, you know you fine when you sexy in scrubs.” He smirked, eyes roaming all over my body.

He was quite a stocky guy, around Cedric’s size but slightly shorter. He reminded me of my ex, and that made me a little bit uncomfortable, but I tried not to show it. It wasn’t his fault that he was similar in looks and build as Cedric.

“Are you really flirting with a woman who is on trial for shooting her ex?” I half joked as we walked inside, heading to the hospital area of the warehouse.

After seeing so many comments about me online, stating how no man in his right mind would want me after what I’d done, it shocked me when niggas who knew what I did still tried their hand. With Asif, it was different, and I guessed that was because he’d explained his outlook on it, and he knew more about the situation than these other niggas.

“That nigga deserved it, from what I’m seeing.” Grady sucked his teeth as I locked my things up. “I wouldn’t treat you like that, baby. I would do you right.” He made his way closer to me, filling me with a little bit of fright just like Cedric did.

“I’m not really trying to date.” I quickly moved from being trapped between him and the locker, and he followed me into the hospital room.

“That’s because you?—”

“Fuck you doing in here?” Asif showed up in the doorway, frown so deep I didn’t think his face could ever return to normal.

He wore a wife beater, royal blue track pants, and sneakers. His dreads were loose, and damn was he sexy. On top of it all, his build and height were drool worthy, and I tried my best to focus.

“Oh nah, I was just looking out for her, keeping guard and shit because you know how them niggas in the back can get.” Grady laughed nervously, just like the man at the lounge.

I noticed everyone laughed nervously around Asif, and he didn’t even need to say much to get such a reaction.

He stood there, seemingly reading Grady for a beat, then said, “Let me worry about that.”

Then, with a simple head nod, he dismissed Grady, who took note, quickly jogging out of the room to which Asif shut the door. Locating me, his face switched from one of irritation to bliss as he smiled at me. It was eerie but at the same time flattering how quickly he could switch.

“Poor guy. He was just being nice,” I said, setting out the things I thought I would need for the day.

“He ain’t being nice, love. He trying to be ya man, and I’m not having the shit. Like I said, when you in the market for a new nigga, I want you having tunnel vision, with me at the end of that muthafucka. Plus, only bodyguard you need is me. You don’t know these other niggas I got working for me, so you need something, you come to me only.”

“I didn’t ask for Grady’s help. He just kind of gave it,” I wanted him to know.

“I know you didn’t. He like you, so he doing the most, despite me telling him it’s not gon’ happen.”

“It’s not? You never know. Men have worn women down in the past,” I jested.

“You right.” He nodded, watching me move around the room. “But the only way he or any other nigga is gon’ get a chance to wear you down is if they go through me, and I ain’t met a nigga yet willing to do that,” he stated seriously.

Just as I was about to say something in response, I noticed a humongous bouquet of red roses sitting on top of the desk I was to use for clerical work. They were so vibrant, and the amount let me know it cost a lot of money. I couldn’t remember the last time someone had gifted me roses. But maybe these weren’t for me.

“Who are these for?” I questioned, not wanting to be presumptuous.

“You,” Asif replied, nodding at the arrangement.

“From who?” I asked, and he just stared at me, so I tittered softly. “But why?”

“Don’t gotta be a reason, Anastazia. I wanted to buy you flowers, so I did, and I also wanted to welcome you to the crew.”

“Do I get a blingy chain?”

We chuckled in unison before he responded, “Nah, you can wear mine when you earn it.”

“Excuse me?” I folded my arms playfully.

Grinning, he said, “You free to do whatever for the moment. Just be ready when I hit you for help.” He quickly left the room before I could say anything.

Nothing happened for the first couple of hours, which was to be expected since this job wasn’t as high traffic as a hospital would be. So all I did was attempt to read to pass the time, but I couldn’t focus on anything other than how my life had changed, so it was difficult to get into the story.

Suddenly, I heard some commotion, and when my work phone chimed, I knew it was go time. Hopping up, I shoved my Kindle into my workbag and then went to wash my hands in the deep basin, just before the door came open.

Being carried in by three niggas was a young boy with a deep gash along his shoulder.

“Put him on the table!” I shouted, and the men surprisingly listened and didn’t argue.

As I prepared to look him over, slipping on gloves, I noticed Asif leaning in the doorway, watching. It was only then that I understood why everyone was on edge around him. He had this demeanor that made you anxious. I’d treated stab wounds one hundred times over, especially ones of this nature, yet I was anxious knowing he was there watching.

“Give her some room,” he told his soldiers, and they did just that, backing away and leaving out.

Taking a deep breath, I zoned in on the job at hand. “What’s your name?” I asked the boy, wanting to distract him a bit.

“Taj—arghhh!” he called out as I began to clean it.

“I’m sorry. You’re gonna be perfectly fine. We’re almost done,” I said, continuing on. “How did this happen?” I continued working. When he looked behind me at Asif, I figured he didn’t wanna say. “You don’t have to tell me. Now just relax a bit while I finish up, okay?” I smiled.

Taj went from wincing to smiling back up at me, almost like he was taking me in for the first time.

“Don’t get no ideas, nigga. She spoken for,” Asif called out, causing Taj and me to laugh.

An hour later and Taj was fast asleep in one of the hospital beds, shielded by a curtain, with his shoulder stitched up.

“Once he wakes up, he should be fine and able to go home,” I told Asif, inputting some notes into my computer. “His shoulder will feel tight, so he can’t move it as much. If you have some kind of desk work he can do, that would be preferred.” When Asif laughed, I asked, “What?”

“Nothing, love. I got you. I won’t have the little nigga working the stockroom.”

I finally caught on, realizing this wasn’t a typical job, and desk work wasn’t exactly a position within a drug empire.

“Ha ha, you are so funny,” I said sarcastically.

“You perfect for this shit. Nigga was so busy admiring you he forgot he was stabbed.” We exchanged smiles before he said, “You can dip if you want to. Just remember to keep ya phone close and be ready.”

“Okay.” I nodded.

I was exhausted from being here so long, so I decided to go ahead and take a nap in the room Asif explained was mine. Locking the door as instructed, I took my shoes off and lay down, drifting off only seconds later it seemed.

THE NEXT MORNING…

When I woke up, I hopped into the luxurious shower then brushed, flossed, and rinsed my teeth before checking on Taj. No one was here besides Asif, who got up from the table he was seated at once he saw me.

“Do you ever go home?” I asked, walking outside of the warehouse and noticing he was trailing me.

“I do, but you hadn’t left, so I wasn’t leaving.”

“Oh shit. I’m sorry. If I’d known you were gonna stay, I would’ve taken my ass home. I was just too tired.”

“You good, baby.” He ran his hand down his face, tiredness evident.

I felt bad as hell.

“You didn’t have to stay, Asif. I locked the door.”

“I did have to stay. I told you I was gon’ look out for you while you was here. No way would I leave you in this fucking warehouse alone. And I don’t trust nobody else to protect you, so it is what it is.” He pulled open my driver’s door for me, taking my workbag in the process.

“I see. Well, thank you.” I climbed inside as he put my bag into the back seat. “Go home and get some sleep.”

“I am.” He gave me a closed mouth smile before shutting the door.

Lord, why was he so handsome? I mean, his father was too, so I guess it made sense, but man. I’d never seen Prime young, but if he looked anything like Asif, which I was sure he did, then I didn’t blame Lisara for going through a seventh pregnancy just for him.

The drive home seemed to take forever, but when I finally made it to my mama’s house, I noticed a familiar Toyota 4Runner in the driveway. Shutting the engine down, I groaned, not wanting to go inside anymore, but I was too exhausted still and wanted to be with my baby.

Entering the home, I saw Cedric’s father, Gabriel, and his stepmother, Carly, on the couch, laughing while Sophie talked their ears off.

“Mommy!” She beamed like always, running to me.

“Hi, beautiful.” I squatted down to hug her extra tightly, Cedric’s family’s presence making me want to shield her even more.

“Where were you all night?” Carly quizzed as I rose to my feet, watching Sophie run back to her dolls.

“Right. No job will hire you, so it couldn’t have been work,” Gabriel added, looking just like an old version of his pitiful ass son.

“None of your business. You focus on Cedric and where he’s going, which isn’t far since he’s in a coma,” I shot back, knowing I was wrong for going that far. “Then again, you don’t care about what he does, either. That’s why you didn’t give a fuck when he beat me.”

Carly and Gabriel’s jaws dropped as they regarded me as if I were a monster.

“You know what? I cannot believe they still allow you to see this child knowing you’re a murderer,” Carly spat, lips tightened.

“I wish I was a murderer, but unfortunately, he lived.”

“You are disgusting. It doesn’t matter what he did. He didn’t deserve to be shot, Stazi.” Gabriel’s lids lowered in disdain.

Though I had said some foul things, his last comment bothered the hell out of me.

“Okay, y’all need to get the fuck out!” I snapped.

“What is going on?” My mother came into the living room, brows furrowed.

“This bitch and her husband are making comments that’s gonna get them both slapped or put right where their son is!”

Gabriel and Carly both shot up from their seats as if they were about to jump me.

“Hey!” My mom hopped in between us. “You two are here to see Sophie and that is it. You don’t even need to converse with my daughter right now. You are lucky I’m allowing you to visit my granddaughter and in my home, especially after what I learned of you two, so don’t fuck that up.”

“Farrah, she?—”

“I get that you are upset that Cedric has been shot, and his life is hanging in the balance, but you must understand that he was not a good man. He beat and terrorized her, so when you do horrifying things, they come with horrifying consequences.”

“My apologies, Farrah,” Carly said. “See you soon, sweetheart.” She bent down to kiss Sophie’s head, and Gabriel did the same before they left out.

Sitting down, I pulled Sophie into my lap and kissed her cheek, hugging her again.

My mother and I made eye contact, shaking our heads and nonverbally agreeing that this was only the beginning of a shit show.