Chapter 7

Beethoven

I didn't expresshow I felt to Omari. He was my cousin, my right hand, but his devotion to the business kept me from being vulnerable with him. Regardless of how I felt about it, Omari would agree this was for the best. Tonight, I didn't need someone to tell me my father was right. I needed someone to tell me that regardless, I had the right to feel just as fucked up as I felt.

All it took was one text in our group chat, and they all pulled up. We met at Bully's home because his fiancée, Innvy, was out with Merc's fiancée, Neo, for girls' night.

"So you telling me you actually agreed to this shit," Asylum said. I wasn't surprised he was against it. He'd been married to a woman he didn't love for twelve years and was now with his true love—Dauterive. After spending all of that time apart, Asylum didn't believe in wasting time being with someone you didn't really love or care about and see a future with.

"From the sound of it, he really didn't have a fuckin' choice," Merc replied.

"Everyone has a choice," Bully said, rolling up a blunt. "He made a choice, and that choice was the business and his father's approval. The consequence is a marriage to a woman he doesn't know."

"That's true," I unfortunately agreed. "I can be okay with this eventually. What's fuckin' with me is the fact that Whiskee genuinely had no idea what was going on. They signed the contract and told her afterward. That broke something inside of me. She could give me hell throughout this whole thing simply because of how she was forced into it, and I couldn't even blame her. They really took away her choice in the matter, and y'all know how I feel about that bully shit."

"Damn," Merc muttered. "Hopefully, y'all can talk and become partners in this. I'm sure it really hurt her for them to handle her that way. She's going to need you, Toe. Don't let her push you away."

"Where she at now?" Asylum asked.

"With her best friend. I didn't want to let her go, but I know she needs space to process this."

"You like her, Toe," Bully announced more than asked.

That was his thing. He swore he was a love whisperer or some shit. Even when we denied or couldn't accept how we felt about someone, Bully did. Merc was the one to be supportive no matter what, even if you were going against what you truly wanted. Asylum would keep it real about what you truly needed. I had a solid circle of brothers that I was grateful to God for. I may have been the only one still in the streets, but my crew was very much about that life. It was nothing for us to pull up for each other.

My head shook, but I couldn't open my mouth to deny the claim. She was beautiful, that could never be denied. Her skin was the same shade as whisky, and the yellow dress she had on tonight looked so damn beautiful against her smooth brown skin. Whiskee was short and curvy. I loved that shit. Regardless of how much I tried not to look, my eyes kept lowering to her ass. She had big, doll-like eyes that were so dark they almost looked black. Round lips were covered in red lipstick that matched her nails. As far as arranged marriages went, it could have been a hell of a lot worse.

"Nah," was what I said, but I felt my lips lifting into a smile. "I mean… I like the way she looks… yeah. She's beautiful. Very beautiful. And I feel drawn to protect her, but that's about it." They all looked at each other before laughing, causing me to say, "Mane, fuck y'all," which only made them laugh harder. As much as I didn't want to, I joined in, grateful for the release. It was exactly what I needed tonight.

My phone vibrated in my pocket. When I pulled it out and saw it was a text from an unknown number, I knew it was Whiskee. She was the only person who could be texting my personal line.

901-550-9881: Thanks for tonight. I never asked how you felt about everything. This affects you too. – Whiskee

I don't like it or want to do it, but I'm dedicated to this life and business so I'm down for whatever.

I thought about it for a while and double texted, which was something I never did.

Having a temporary wife that's as sweet and fiery yet beautiful as you helps.

Whiskee: ?? You're sweet. Thank you for being so kind. If you weren't there, I probably would have lost it.

I meant it when I said I got you. Get some rest. We'll talk tomorrow.

Whiskee: . . .

Instead of replying, she hearted the message and left me on read, which was cool. I didn't really want to get close to her. I didn't know how long this would last. Pops said he'd have our attorney email me a finalized copy of the contract in the morning, and I'd look everything over then. For tonight, I needed to sit with my thoughts and feelings so they wouldn't consume me. At the end of the day, this was a business arrangement, and I would have to treat it as such.