Chapter 25

25

Lila (Nala)

S lim was dead.

I still couldn't believe this shit was finally over. It was going to feel weird not living life on pins and needles. No longer did I have to live in fear. I didn't have to walk around looking over my shoulder or feeling like I had a target on my back.

We ended up staying in Georgia an extra two weeks simply because I wasn't ready to leave my family just yet. Kari and I alternated our time between my parents' home and Ahmad's place. While Slim and his associates were gone, he still wanted to make sure we were safe.

When he dropped us off, he always had a detail sitting outside the house until he came to retrieve us. Kari had fallen in love with her family. It was almost like they weren't total strangers to her. While she loved spending time with them, as soon as Ahmad arrived, she was running outside to greet him.

He'd smiled more in the last two weeks than I'd ever seen him in the time we'd been with him. I believed he was falling in love with my baby. She brought out a certain softness in him. They were learning each other. When he woke up to cook breakfast, she was often right there to help him.

The other morning, I came downstairs to find her on a stool next to him cutting up strawberries with a butter knife. He didn't even hesitate to take it from her when she offered him one. He simply smiled and allowed her to feed it to him. They had inside jokes, and she now insisted he be present when I read her a bedtime story.

The shit was crazy.

We felt like a little family. I couldn't help but wonder how things would be once we made it back to Cali. If Ahmad and I seriously pursued each other, could we be happy? Would him kidnapping me find its way back to the forefront of my mind? I wasn't sure what the future held, but we were headed back to Cali today to find out.

After a teary goodbye to my family, we made our way to the airport to board the private plane waiting for us. As we boarded, I giggled to myself.

"Brings back any memories?" I jested.

Ahmad smirked. "Don't let me catch a case of PTSD."

I laughed as I ushered Makari into a seat. Just as I got her strapped in, the pilot from the last time stepped on board. My eyes settled on his nose which was slightly crooked. He glared at me for a moment before Ahmad got his attention.

"We got a problem?" he asked.

"I should have let y'all find your own way back to Cali."

"You knew better."

He frowned. "All I know is everybody better stay in their seats and keep their feet to themselves this go 'round."

"I apologize," I said.

Ahmad shook his head. "Don't apologize. You didn't see that foot coming to your face?"

"Nigga, fu—"

"Watch your mouth in front of baby girl, Carl. I'd hate for this to be your last flight."

Carl looked between the three of us. He looked mad enough to spit, however, he didn't say anything else. Him and his crooked ass nose headed into the cockpit, slamming the door behind him.

I covered Kari's ears. "I pray he doesn't crash this plane to prove a point."

"He ain't stupid," Ahmad said, buckling himself in. "You ready for this flight, Rabbit?"

"Yes! I can't wait to see Ms. Tiffany! I missed her so much!"

I'd spoken with Tiffany a few times since our initial conversation. She told me she'd been by the house to check on things and do some light cleaning and stocked the fridge with food in preparation for our return. I appreciated that. The last thing I wanted to do when we finally made it home was have to clean my house.

"I'm sure she missed you, too," I said. "Kari, I need you to remember not to say anything about where we were or what Mr. Ahmad did, okay?"

"Okay, Mommy. I don't want him to get in trouble like he did with Grandpa."

My father still wasn't completely on board with Ahmad. He'd asked me several times if I was sure this was what I wanted to do. I assured him that I knew what I was doing and who I was dealing with. He wasn't thrilled, but he let it go, making me promise to let him know if Ahmad turned out to be anything like Slim. There was no doubt in my mind that he wouldn't follow through with his threat to kill him or die trying.

Carl announced that we were preparing for takeoff. I settled into my seat and rested my head against the headrest. This was going to be a long ass flight. I knew as soon as I got home, all I wanted to do was shower, climb in my bed, and sleep for a few days.

After what seemed like forever, we finally landed at the private airstrip. The three of us filed out of the plane. The first thing I saw was a very handsome man leaning against a blacked-out SUV. He looked vaguely familiar. I gripped Kari's hand and held tightly to Ahmad's arm.

"Who is that?" I asked.

"My brother, Ashton."

I frowned. I wanted to be mad. I wanted to punch him in the face for ever putting Slim on my trail with his investigating ass. He smiled as we approached him. He and Ahmad slapped hands before sharing a brotherly hug.

"Glad to see you made it back," he said. He looked over at me and Makari. "Ashton Pryor. You must be Nala and Makari."

"I would think you already knew that," I said, my tone laced with venom.

He chuckled. "Yes, ma'am. It was nothing personal. Just business. If I'd known about you having a kid, I wouldn't have accepted the job."

"Well, it's too late for that, now isn't it?"

He looked at his brother. "She's just as feisty as you said."

"You ain't seen the half of it," Ahmad said. "Make yourself useful and grab our bags."

He slapped his brother on the chest before opening the back door, ushering me and Kari inside. I watched as Ashton grabbed our bags and Ahmad spoke with Carl. It wasn't long before they were both climbing into the SUV and we were leaving the airstrip.

I sighed a breath of relief.

I was safe and I was home.

Home sweet home!

We pulled into my driveway about an hour later. I was so happy to see my house still standing. Tiffany's car was parked on the curb. The moment we got out of the car, the door opened, and she stepped out. Kari released my hand and ran to her.

"Ms. Tiffany!" she screamed.

Tiffany scooped her up in her arms and spun her around.

"There's my favorite girl! I missed you so much!"

She smothered her face with kisses, causing her to erupt with giggles. They had the most beautiful relationship. Tiffany was only twenty-one and Kari looked at her like an aunt and her bestie. She spoiled my baby with love and attention. Even when I was afraid to leave her, I knew she was in the best hands when I wasn't around.

"Hey, Tiff," I said, pulling her in for a hug.

"It's so good to see you. You had me worried sick for a moment." She stepped back and looked me over. "What happened to your foot?"

"You wouldn't believe me if I told you, girl. Just know I was clumsy and fell."

She shook her head. Her eyes landed on Ahmad and Ashton.

"Oh my… Who is this?"

"Tiffany, this is Ahmad and Ashton Pryor. This is Tiffany, my nanny."

"It's nice to meet you," they offered simultaneously.

Tiffany smiled and clasped her hands together. "Well, I cooked dinner to welcome you home. It's on the stove. I'm gonna head out. I just wanted to welcome you home."

"Thank you, Tiffany. You sure you don't wanna stay a while?"

"I don't wanna crowd you, plus I have plans with a friend." She kissed Kari's cheek before placing her on her feet and pulling me in for another hug. "I'm so happy you're home. Please call me if you need me."

"I will."

She offered Ashton and Ahmad a smile before she left. We made our way into the house and Kari grabbed Ahmad's hand.

"Come on, Mr. Ahmad. Let me show you my room."

I shook my head because he'd clearly seen her room that night, but I let her have it and so did he. They made their way upstairs, leaving Ashton and me alone. I looked at him and he looked at me.

Clearing his throat, he said, "I really am sorry about all of this."

"You should be sorry for almost sending me to my death. Maybe somebody should have you snatched up out of your house in the middle of the night to see how you like it."

He raised his hands in mock surrender. "I get it. I'm sure time with my brother was no walk in the park. If you can forgive him, surely you can forgive me."

"I'll think about it."

He chuckled as he reached into his back pocket and pulled out a piece of paper. He twirled it between his fingers before handing it to me.

"What's this?" I asked hesitantly.

"Just a little compensation for your troubles. I know it won't make up for it, but I'd feel better if you took it."

I frowned as I slowly took the check from him. Upon opening it, my eyes widened at the amount—three hundred and fifty thousand dollars. I pulled back my emotions as my eyes met his.

"Well… your guilt comes with a nice price tag. Thank you."

"I should probably be thanking you."

"For what?"

"I don't know what you did to my brother, but he's changing. He has a calmness to him I've never seen. To know Ahmad is to know he's not the softest or most levelheaded person. I don't know what it is about you and your daughter, but this is the most considerate and caring he's ever been. That man told me he loved me, and he doesn't say that shit. Whatever you're doing, keep it up."

I couldn't help but giggle at that. "I haven't done anything but give him the energy he puts out. He wasn't my favorite person at first. I will admit, I capitalized off his OCD just to fuck with him, but we're in a good space right now."

"It's a wonder you're still here. He used to beat my ass for that same shit as a child. I was the asshole. I guess I was jealous because he did whatever he wanted while our parents kind of sheltered me. He's my big brother, you know? I wanted to do everything he did. He never let me tag along and it pissed me off."

"So you were the annoying little brother."

He chuckled. "Pretty much. Me involving him with my PI firm was my way of finally teaming up with him. I guess I was hoping it brought us closer. He barely fucks with the family like that. I just missed him."

My face softened. "I guess that's sweet."

"Look at you being a sentimental lil bitch," we heard behind us.

I turned to see Ahmad on the bottom step of the stairs with a smirk. I wasn't sure how long he'd been eavesdropping, but it was clear he heard the last part. Ashton shot him the middle finger.

"You see how he treats me?" he asked. "This nigga likes to act like he doesn't love me."

Ahmad chuckled as he came over and stood next to me.

"Rabbit is in the bathroom."

"Are y'all staying to eat?" I asked.

"How clean is your nanny?" Ahmad countered.

Ashton held up a hand. "Speaking of the nanny... Is she single? 'Cause she's fine as hell."

I rolled my eyes. "She's also twenty-one."

He kissed his teeth. "Never mind."

Ahmad smirked. "Thirsty ass."

I shook my head. "To answer your question, she's very clean, Ahmad. And she's a great cook."

"I guess. It smells good."

"It tastes even better," I sang.

"I'm down," Ashton said.

Ahmad playfully punched him. "Fuckin' fat ass. You'll get enough of eating everybody's cooking."

"Well, your lady eats it and she's still here, so it must be edible. Ain't nobody at home cooking for me, and I'm starving, so fuck what you're talking about. Point me in the direction of the plates."

I giggled at their banter. Kari came trotting downstairs and over to us.

"Mommy, I'm hungry. My snack is all gone, and my tummy is growling."

"We're about to eat. Did you wash your hands?"

"Yes, ma'am!" She held up her hands for me to see.

"All right. Why don't you show Mr. Ashton where he can sit?"

"Okay. Come on, Mr. Ashton!"

She grabbed his hand and led him into the kitchen. Ahmad snaked an arm around my waist and pulled me into his chest.

"How does it feel being back home?" he asked.

"Like life is really just beginning."

We shared a sensual kiss before going to join Kari and Ashton. This was the start of something new.