37

Within an hour, Vincent and I were leaving my room. I was in a white gown with flower wedges. I had my jewelry on and I looked amazing. Our hands were intertwined together as we walked down the hall with Clay walking behind me.

Hold up, they don't love you like I love you

Slow down, they don't love you like I love you

Back up, they don't love you like I love you

Step down, they don't love you like I love you

Can't you see there's no other man above you?

What a wicked way to treat the girl that loves you

Hold up, they don't love you like I love you

Oh, down, they don't love you like I love you

As we exited the elevator with prideful smiles, Vincent's men were waiting for us and they followed behind us as we led them to through the hotel as if we were a mighty king and queen. As we got outside into the busy world, Vincent looked at Sammy.

"Yo, Sammy take the day off. All of you." he said. Sammy looked stunned.

"You sure boss?" he asked. Vincent nodded motioning to Clay.

"Yeah we got all the protection we need today." he exclaimed. Clay didn't say a word as usual. I smiled in response and Sammy nodded.

"Okay. Let's go." he said to his boys who got into their cars and drove off. Clay leaned in to let me know he was going to pull my car around. I handed him the keys and Vincent and I watched him walk to the parking garage.

"So this Yakuza guy you're meeting tonight, you know him?" he asked. I didn't want this discussion to ruin our time out, but I also didn't want to hide anything from him. I nodded.

"Yes. My boss and I did business- well tried to do business with his gang years ago. We did not get the partnership." I said looking away with a light scowl. He looked me over.

"Do you know him personally?" he asked. I was stiff for a moment before looking at him.

"I did." I responded him. "We were intimate, and he betrayed me trust and I broke things off. He did not like that, so he sabotaged our business deal." Vincent nodded taking my hand and bringing it to his lips kissing the top of my palm gently.

"I trust you." he said. I smiled lovingly leaning forward.

"That's all I ask." I replied kissing him passionately. The fact that Vincent was willing to help me shop for a dress basically for an old lover knowing full well what his business meant to me showed me loyalty almost above Clay's.

My car pulled up and Vincent opened the door for me and we got in.

"So where to?" he asks, and I looked at Clay.

"Take me to The Avenue." I replied. The Avenue was an upscale strip mall where many loved to shop at. It was good for walking and showing off. I just liked the stores. The car took off and we blended in with the traffic. Vincent hand's remained laced with mine as we drove into the city. It was busy and alive today and I knew I would be overwhelmed the entire day. Going out with my two favorite men, then partying tonight, I knew there would be some kind of trouble especially with my brother there. He was sure to have some type of interaction with us.

I let my mind drift thinking of how Ujio was going to act tonight. I hoped he behaved and didn't cause trouble. I hope he doesn't make me do anything I'd regret either. As the car stopped at a street light, I glanced out the window in thought some. I even rolled down the window so I could let some air in. A nice convertible mustang pulled up beside me. A dark skinned brother was bobbing his head to his music, his shades black as space. He started to look my way and I looked away.

"Hey baby, how you doing?" I heard him ask. I slowly looked his way and he was looking right at me giving a flirtatious smile. Clay glanced at him with a frownand Vincent leaned forward with a glare. In unison they both pulled out their guns and pointed it right at him. He cusses quickly and steps on the gas running the red light. A cop's squad car hits him in the driver side causing a wreck. The light turned green and Clay just smoothly drove by. I smirked and looked at them.

"Ya'll are petty." I said with a laugh.

"Just petty enough." Vincent replied putting his gun in his jacket. I growled and swung my legs over his lap. He looked at me seductively and locks his hands on my hips as I lean down and kiss him passionately in response.

"Mm causing car wrecks in broad daylight? Hot." I purred against his lips and he laughed.

"I'll burn the entire city down to see you smile." he growled kissing me again. "I'll even kick that disrespectful brother's ass of yours if it makes you laugh." I couldn't help but laugh at his threat. In thirty minutes, we were parked, arms linked and walking through the large strip mall. Clay walked behind me of course remaining silent. I glanced at him.

"Mute all my meetings, other clients and all contact from my Eyes go to you." I commanded and he nodded taking his phone out to do as commanded. Vincent looked at me with a big smile.

"I get you for the day?" he asked. I nodded with a smile. Until tonight that is.

"Yes. And I'll even let you pick my dress." I replied, and he grinned. We went to different high-end stores. I tried on different dresses from cocktail to off the shoulder dresses. Clay gave no opinion on anything I wore as usual. I came out of a dressing room in a white lace bandeau bra and matching panties. Vincent's eyes popped as he looked me over.

"Fuck we are buying that." he said. Clay tensed and just looked away.

"Pretty." he said awkwardly. Vincent approached eyes roaming my body.

"Is that a push up bra?" he asked with a growl. I shook my head with a smirk.

"Oh no. This is all me." I replied. He grinned.

"Damn I may have to take this off you now." he said leaning over to kiss me.

"Yara?" a familiar voice caught our attention and all three of us looked over to see…

"Tasha." I said stunned and she arched a brow looking at Clay and Vincent approaching me. She was in a coral blue dress, of course tight as usual.

"Um hi." she said. Clay stepped over on instinct. Vincent raised his hand to stop him and without question he fell back. Tasha looked at Clay stunned before looking at me.

"Hi. What are you doing here?" I asked and she smiled some.

"Shopping. What are you doing here?" she asked her eyes looking me over. "Damn. This is cute." I cleared my throat some before looking up at Vincent who looked at her politely.

"And who is this?" she asked looking at Vincent who looked down at me with a smile as if waiting. I wrapped my arm around his.

"Tasha this is Vincent Ragni my boyfriend. Vincent this is Yara, my sister in law." I replied. Vincent faked a surprised smile.

"So this is Yaz's mom. Pleasure to meet you." he said raising his hand of which Tasha took. She smiled politely as well.

"Nice to meet you Vincent. We heard Yara had a beau and were wondering when she'd bring her around." she said. Vincent nodded glancing down at me.

"Yeah she's been keeping me a secret." he said. Clay was staring blankly at Sasha remaining quiet and I just shrugged smiling some.

"Yes. Well what can I say." I replied and Tasha nodded.

"Well I see you both are really serious." she said looking me over again with a smirk before looking around. "So I see you're going dress shopping. I guess you both are going to Truth tonight?" Clay looked at me now and I shook my head. I'm guessing James told her where I was going.

"I am. Just going with a client." I replied. Tasha arched a brow.

"A realtor going to a club with her client. They must be important." she said. I nodded slowly.

"Yes. Real important." I responded. "You just getting out and about?" Tasha smiled more.

"I am going to Truth too." she said and I faked interest.

"Oh so then I guess we will be partying together." I replied. Did James put her up to this? Was he really trying to figure out what I was into. Tasha continued to smile.

"I guess we will. You going to introduce me to your body guard?" she asked. I looked at Clay.

"This is Clay my personal assistant. Clay. Tasha." I replied. Clay nodded with little interest before looking ahead again. She nodded stiffly at him. "Right. Well I won't ruin you guys time. I'll see you tonight." I nodded.

"See you tonight." I replied watching her walk off, the sound of her heals clanging heavily. I watched her walk away, my smile fading some.

"Woah never seen you look so uncomfortable around your brother's wife." Vincent said and I glanced up at him and shook my head.

"She and I are… acquaintances." I replied and moved to the dressing room. "I'm going to take this off." Once I was dressed I collected the dresses I wanted to buy. We moved to the front counter and I pulled out my wallet, but Vincent raised his hand and pulled out his wallet.

"I got this." he said. I smiled and kissed his shoulder in thanks. The cashier smiled excitedly as if him paying was the sweetest thing she had ever seen.

"So how long have you two been married?" she asked. We both looked at each other chuckling some.

"Nah we're still dating." Vincent replied handling her his card. She took it and nodded swiping the card after scanning the price tags. $992. Once the dresses were in bags, I handed them to Clay who took them without question. I left the boutique happy again. I kissed Vincent's cheek.

"Thank you love." I replied and he smiled.

"Qualsiasi cosa per te, la mia gemma nera." (anything for you my black gem). I smiled and took both Clay and Vincent's hands and led them through the strip mall. We moved through the stores now only hunting for one thing: tonight's dress. And he was great at picking dresses. We picked out many dresses and I came out of the dressing room modeling my dresses. Mario's Let Me Love You was playing on the intercom and it definitely raised my mood. We had three options from a red off the shoulder dress, a champagne colored cocktail dress and last was a black puff sleeve dress.

While the chorus played, I found myself twirling in the puff sleeve dress. I liked it. Vincent smirked moving up to me and placing his hands on my hips, moving his hips with mine, and slowly we were dancing just like when we first met and were at Jazz and Envy.

You should let me love you
Let me be the one to
Give you everything you want and need
Good love and protection
Make me your selection
Show you the way love's supposed to be yeah
Let me love you

We danced together like we were the only two beings on earth. Clay watched in silence his eyes were calm as if he were on standby. He was comfortable not like when Tasha approached. He reminded me of a guard dog who didn't like stranger approaching his pack. I smiled and ran my fingers through Vincent's hair. He smiled placing his forehead into mine and slowly he kissed me deeply and lovingly. I felt life shoot up into me from this kiss alone.

"I like this dress." I replied against his lips.

"It's yours. They all are." he said lowly.

"You are spoiling me." I replied and he grinned.

"Of course. Gotta spoil you so soon I can spoil our kids." he said. Out of the corner of my eyes, I could see Clay's eyes eyes wince a bit as if he had heard the words too. I didn't know how to take his words but I just smiled still and kissed him again to end this conversation.

"Come on let's get out of here." I replied and headed back into the dressing room. As I removed the dress carefully, I thought about his words. Kids? Did he really want that? I closed my eyes in thought. Kids in my profession- our profession? And how would we even be able to make that happen with our lives. Who was going to baby sit them? Clay? I shook my head killing those thoughts immediately as I got in my dress and came back out. Once we paid and were out, Clay brought the time to my attention. I looked at Vincent.

"Anywhere you need to go?" I asked and he shook his head.

"Nah my business is at Bamonte's I can handle it later. You ready to go?" he asked and I nodded.

"Yeah." I replied and we made our way back to our car. We put my things in the trunk and got in and drove off. Not even twenty minutes and Clay pulled off to the gas station. I didn't mind we had time until tonight. He got out and began the process of pumping gas. I suddenly had to pee. Vincent got out and I got out on his side and we walked over to the gas station. We entered, Vincent's hand was on my lower back as we casually strolled in. We heard bikes revving up behind us as we went inside. The clerk told me the bathroom was in the back.

"You want something to drink?" Vincent asked. I nodded.

"Get me whatever you get." I replied and headed to the bathroom. I peed quickly because I didn't really like using gas station bathrooms. When I was done, I headed back out and looked for Vincent to see him at the back looking over at water. I moved to stand beside him and look for waters. Casually his hand rests on the back of my neck, his thumb gently rubbing my skin.

The door opened and some people were coming in. Once Vincent and I grabbed our waters, we turned and walked down the aisles looking at snacks. We noticed some of the men on bikes were passing us. We both took steps forward to let them pass. Then I heard one of them scoff.

"Take that jungle fever shit somewhere else." One of the men said. I rolled my eyes.

"Oh fuck you." I muttered. The guy stopped and turned to me with a frown.

"Excuse me you got something to say?" he asked. Vincent raised his head and looked at the man.

"Yeah she said fuck you. You want be a piece of shit go be one somewhere else. We ain't bothering you." he said. Now the two, tattoo covered men turned to us.

"Oh well now you're bothering us." he said. I rolled my eyes and looked at Vincent.

"We got places to be." I replied moving to turn our bodies away from him. Vincent seemed to turn with us.

"Hey you need to put a muzzle on your bitch." he said. Now both Vincent and I both paused and Vincent just chuckled acidly. I just frowned noticing all of the bikers were standing in the aisles basically stopping us from leaving. Whether they were trying to intimidate us or fight us, they had sealed their fates. But what they didn't know that Clay was entering the gas station too quietly and stealthily. Only this time he locked the door so no one could leave or come in. He removed his glasses and began to put them in his suit pocket as he silently approached the men standing at the far end of the aisle. I looked at Vincent and Vincent looked down at me.

"I don't want to get blood on my dress." I whined gently, and Vincent smirked now.

"I'll buy you another one." he said. I inhaled and thought of his words.

"Knee caps and busted hands. I don't want them to be able to get back on their trailer trash hick bikes." I commanded vicious, and we moved so fast I was surprised how in sync we were. Vincent pulled out two guns, putting one in my hands and immediately we both turned and began to fire on the two men who started this whole thing. We aimed low and shot at their knee caps causing them to yell as they went down. Clay fired into the backs of the other men in the aisle. Oh yes he planned to paralyze them for sure. He knew which spots to shoot. The big man who started the shit was on the ground and he managed to pull a gun from his vest pocket.

Vincent was quick and shot him right in the hand. He screamed loudly and now we all paused looking around at all the men who were down on the ground. There was more yelling and screaming. Were we excessive yeah probably, did we care. Not really. Vincent and I walked down the aisle. He even took my hand and helped me step over all the men. We met Clay at the end of the aisle and we just looked around at our work. I then looked at my dress and twirled around so the boys could look at it too.

"Not a stain on you my sweet." Vincent said impressed and I grinned before looking at Clay.

"Call a crew. Clean up this mess." I replied patting his shoulder. Clay nodded and Vincent and I walked to the door.

"We did this in broad day light. We can't have any witnesses." he reminded. He would have to clean this up fast that much I know. I looked over at the clerk's counter. I knew he was hiding. He was just a kid really. I looked at Clay who just waited. We didn't say anything to each other. Vincent stared at us both wondering what it was we were saying with our minds. I then looked at him.

"Shall we?" I asked. He just smiled warmly at me raising his hand to me.

"We shall." he replied and we left out the gas station toward our car. Clay would have no issues sweeping this up under the rug. Besides, there was most likely going to be traffic on the road. There was a car accident between a citizen and a cop after all.