Chapter 25

Whiskee

The Following Tuesday

Today,Mariam set up taste tests for me and Beethoven. It was overwhelming to say the least. Not just because we had a lot to try but because we had to make our decisions today as well. The wedding was exactly two months away and finalizing the menu was the last thing on our to-do list. We'd already selected the music and officiant, venue, décor and color scheme, stationery for invitations, and thank-you cards.

After this, we'd have to meet with the designer to go over the sketch and my measurements for the dress, then that would be it. Beethoven and I agreed not to bother with bachelor and bachelorette parties, but we did agree to an engagement party so his family could be in attendance. The good thing about this process was our bond and chemistry were genuine, so no one should question our feelings for each other.

With the bulk of the planning being done, Tim wanted Beethoven to get back to work, so we hadn't been spending as much time together as we had been. That made me grateful for the meeting with Mariam today. I was even more grateful when Beethoven asked me if I wanted to do a late lunch.

We decided on The Capital Grille, and as we sat across from each other, I was nervous. I knew this was the same man I'd been getting to know for the last month and a half, but it felt new.

"Why you actin' shy?" Beethoven asked as he looked over the menu.

"I don't know." With a quiet laugh, I twiddled my thumbs in my lap. "I feel like I haven't seen you in forever, but it's only been like three days. I think I missed my husband."

His grip on the menu loosened as he stared at me. "That's the first time you've called me that."

"Really?"

"Yeah, really."

"Hmm…"

"If that's what I get from being less present, maybe I need to work more."

That made me laugh. "Well, I'll never stop a man from working, but I really did miss you, Beethoven."

"I missed you too. Tryna balance Pops business on top of what me and Omari are trying to do in Rose Valley Hills is a lot."

"I understand. Is there anything I can do to help?"

"You can convince your brother to stand down and be the head of production only."

Our waiter arrived, taking our drink and appetizer order. When he left, I asked, "Is there a particular reason why Carlos needs a different position?"

"Yeah. He's not built to be the boss. Not right now at least." He paused and inhaled a long breath. "On top of that… it's safer for him if he does something else."

"What do you mean? He's aware of the risks of being the boss, Beethoven."

"Nah." His head shook as he picked his menu back up. "I'm not talking about enemies and law enforcement. There's a very present threat looming that he has no idea about. The only way to get rid of it is for him to stand down."

I didn't respond as I thought over what he said. I wasn't the smartest when it came down to their affairs, but I also wasn't dumb. If someone was going to come after my brother because of his position, it had to be Tim.

"Is it your father? Is he not pleased with what my brother is doing?"

Beethoven sighed as he put his menu back down. "Yeah, and it's not that he's not pleased, though he isn't. Business is business, and with the amount of product and money that flows from us to y'all, Pops can't take any risks with a weak boss. Your brother can't handle his emotions, he makes illogical decisions, and he doesn't have enough experience to head an organization of this size. Now, I'm not saying he's not going to be a good boss one day, but he's simply not ready right now."

"So Tim wants my father's business? Has that been his plan all along? He never wanted to work with us. He's always wanted to take over. Hasn't he?"

"I'd prefer not to discuss this with you. I just need you to talk to your brother and convince him to stand down."

"What was your part in this?" I asked, ignoring what he'd just said. "To get close to me so I could convince him to give y'all the business?"

Beethoven massaged the space between his eyes and stared at me. "Are we about to have our first disagreement?"

"It doesn't have to be. Just tell me the truth."

"No, it was not my job to get close to you so you could influence him. I was supposed to marry you to bring the both of you into the family. That's it."

"If he doesn't agree, then what?" He didn't respond right away, and the longer he remained silent, the more my heart palpitated. "Bay…"

"If he doesn't agree, he dies."

"And let me guess… you're the one that's supposed to kill him?" Chuckling, I stood. "I'm going home."

Beethoven stood. "Whiskee…"

"I'm going to Uber. I don't want to be around you."

Before I could walk away, he gripped my waist. "We need to talk about this."

"There's nothing to talk about. You've known all along your father wanted you to kill my brother and you've allowed me to get close to you." Shoving his hand from my waist, I gritted, "That's sick."

I got a couple of steps in, but he grabbed my hand and pulled me back, causing eyes and heads to turn in our direction.

"I've been trying to find a way to keep him alive. This is the only chance he has, bae. Get him to stand down and he won't have to worry about me or anyone else from the organization coming after him."

Jerking away from him, I hurried out of the dining area and hoped he wouldn't follow me. Here I was looking forward to marrying this man, even if it wouldn't last forever, and he'd been plotting to kill my brother the whole damn time.

"Well, at least he was honest,"Mahogany muttered.

"I wish he would have lied."

Pouting, I swirled the glass of wine I'd been babysitting for the last hour as we talked.

"Aww, you don't mean that."

"I actually do. He ruined the fairytale I'd been in. Now that I know the truth, there's no way I can be with him."

"I don't know about that, sis. I mean… I could see if he didn't tell you and tried to kill your brother, but he was honest and he said he's been trying to find a way to keep Los alive. That has to count for something… right?" When I didn't answer, she continued, "I think you should talk to Carlos. Convince him to stand down. If Tim wants to be in control, from what you've told me about him, nothing will stop him. I don't think you want to make an enemy out of Bay. I think you should try and keep him on your side."

"See that's just the thing. A part of me knows Beethoven would never let anything happen to me, and I think he includes my brother in that because he's an extension of me."

"Then what's the real issue here, Whiskee?"

Setting my wine glass on the island, I thought over how honest I wanted to be with my best friend, only because I hadn't been fully honest with myself.

"What if this is a sign that I need to start detaching from him? We won't be together forever anyway. Even if Carlos does stand down, Beethoven will be leaving soon. Maybe it's for the best if I stop getting attached to him now. Make it easier on myself."

"Except you're already falling in love with him, babes."

There it was… the truth I'd been wanting to avoid.

I should have known I wouldn't be able to avoid it with her.

Gulping down my wine, I stared at the ceiling as she laughed at my expense and gave me a hug.

"Admit it, Whis. You're falling hard for that man, and that's okay. I got a feeling Beethoven is strong enough to catch you."

The doorbell rang, and I shot up to answer the door, grateful for a distraction. What I wasn't grateful for, or maybe I was, was the sight of Beethoven. Those golden-brown eyes… those juicy lips. God. This man was too handsome for his own good.

"Huh." He extended a bag in my direction, and when I noticed it was full of my favorite snacks I laughed. "Figured you'd appreciate that more than flowers."

"I do, but what are you doing here? I told you I didn't want to be around you."

"Still?" Between the confusion on his face and distress in his voice, he was making it harder and harder to want to stay away from him. Sucking his teeth, Beethoven crossed his arms over his chest. "For how long?"

"I don't know, baby. It's only been a few hours. I don't know how long it takes to get over your man plotting to kill your brother."

"I wasn't…" With a groan, he covered his face as his head shook. "I don't regret being honest with you, but I wish I wouldn't have told you today. I wish I would have waited until your brother agreed to stand down so we could have avoided this."

He lowered his hands and looked into my eyes.

"Honestly, Beethoven, I don't think it would have made a difference. My brother is the only family I have left. Your father wanting to bring him harm will never be okay. I do respect and appreciate you trying to find a way to spare him, and I will talk to Carlos about standing down. I guess his decision will determine if I will feel comfortable enough being with you."

"I can accept that. Regardless of what happens between us personally, though, the wedding still has to happen, or this conversation won't matter." He placed a kiss to the center of my forehead. "I'll see you in a couple of days for the meeting with Mariam."

"Okay."

As much as I wanted him to stay, I was glad Beethoven left without putting up a fight. Getting him out of my system would be torture. God… I prayed somehow that I didn't have to.