“What’s that?” I asked.
He looked over at me briefly before writing something else down. “My to-do list. I came straight out of prison, became a wedding crasher, and hopped on a jet. I didn’t even get to relish in our crib before I was coming for ya ass.” He chuckled.
I laughed. “I know Rahmeek spilled the beans on where the wedding was being held.”
“He did. If I had a gun, I would have had to put it to his head to give up the details.” He smirked. “I’m fucking with you, but you already know my niggas gon’ ride for me. It didn’t take much probing to get him to tell me.”
“I already know. You hadn’t mentioned Terrell. How’s he doing?” I could see him tense some then let out a slow breath.
“Shit got heavy for him when I went away. From what Meek and Killa told me, he blames himself for my going away for solong, so he started dabbling in coke. Of course, that shit became a gateway to him doing other drugs until, eventually, the heroin got to him.”
I gasped. “Oh, no. I’m so sorry, babe. I know hearing that had to hurt.”
“Yeah, I’m fucked up about it. Shit triggering. I couldn’t help my people, but I won’t let this shit take him out of here.” He shook his head. “I won’t let it.”
“And I’m going to help you. Whatever you need me to do. I’m here.”
One cheek lifted into half a smile as he leaned over and kissed my forehead.
“Promise?”
“I promise, . . . and this time, I’m keeping it.”
And I stood on that promise.
We landed back in Michigan around 7 p.m. that evening. Kasey was on the strip, waiting for us as we got off the jet. Zion put our bags in the trunk, then opened the door for me. Reaching over, I opened the door for him, and he got in, wrapping his hand behind my head and driving his tongue in my mouth. Caught off guard but accepting, I tossed my arms around his neck and deepened the kiss.
“I mean, y’all had a whole week to do all that shit. Y’all ain’t get enough yet?” Kasey asked, chuckling while he pulled away from the jet.
I pulled away and giggled. “Never enough.”
“That’s right, so mind your business, chauffeur,” Zion countered, and we laughed.
“Oh, you got jokes. That’s cool. Let’s see how funny you are when I get out this motherfucka and take the keys with me.” Another round of laughs filled the truck.
“Take us home, my G.”
“Home? Where exactly is home?” I asked him.
“You’ll see.”
I smiled. “I can’t wait.” Then a thought hit me. “I have to go get my things from Akeem’s place. I don’t know how that’s going to work out.” I could feel the anxiety creeping up my spine.
“Don’t worry about none of that. It’ll get taken care of.”
“Yeah, sis. Ya shit will be to you by tomorrow.”
“Not to be offensive or be disrespectful, but please don’t do anything crazy, especially you,” I said, eyes going to Zion.
“Don’t worry yourself, baby. I ain’t doing shit that’s going to land me back in prison. I’ll never leave you out here by yourself again.”
“Better not.”
He chuckled and planted a kiss on my forehead. The ride to his home was silent, with only the music playing in the background. When I noticed us pulling into what looked like a mini-mansion out in Royal Oak, my eyes misted a bit because it was the exact house I told him I wanted to move into.
“Zion, . . . oh my goodnessss.” I tried to stop them, but the tears wouldn’t stay in their holding place. I covered my face, trying not to let him see, but he pulled them down and pulled me close to him.
“I told you I want to restore everything that we lost. Every move I made was with you in mind. I listened to everything you said, even if you think I wasn’t listening.” He wiped my tears away with the pads of his thumbs. “Come on. Daddy is tired, and I want us to check the house out together.”