All the King's Men ( An Urban Love Story )

♟With God♟

Jaden lunged out of her sleep in a panic as her eyes scoured the room. Sweat glistened on her skin as the moon illuminated the room through the large windows.

She released the breath she was holding and relaxed when she realized she was laying next to Desmond in his king-sized bed.

"I'm here baby," he said in a husky tone and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close.

"I'm sorry, Desmond," She began to tear up.

She turned to face him and he could feel her heart thumping through her chest.

"For what?"

"I suffer from a lot of trauma, and it's not fair that I just dropped it on you like that. I'm all fucked up."

"I don't care about any of that. I told you I want all of you, that includes that attitude, the flaws, trauma, and all," Desmond told her, honestly. "We've all been through shit, but that's what makes us who we are."

He cleared his throat and resumed speaking, "Are you happy when you wit me?"

"Yes," she smiled softly.

"I'm happy when I'm wit you, and my brothers will tell you, I'm mean as fuck." He laughed a little, "I'm different with you, though."

He looked her in the eyes as he wiped her tears away, "I'll go to war with God behind you." He whispered.

Okay Zaddyyyyy

"I wouldn't even want you to do all that."

"But if I don't protect and defend you, who will?" He questioned.

It wasn't until that moment that Jaden realized that's all she ever wanted. Someone who would protect her and have her back unconditionally. No one did that. She didn't know her father, her mother had disowned her, and she went along with Bishop because he said he would take care of her, and he ended up doing more harm than anyone. 

"Thank you," she said pecking him on the lips.

"You don't gotta thank me, just trust me when I say that I will do whatever for you."

•••

The next morning, Desmond got up early to go talk to Marquis. He wanted to catch him before he went to meet with Mama.

As he walked out the door, Marquis was already approaching him, his eyes held worry.

"What up?"

"Mama called me this morning," he started, "The police found Mina's body in the lake not far from the club."

"Oh fuck." Desmond's entire body went cold.

"Yeah, she asked if you could tell Jaden cause she didn't want to tell her over the phone and she preferred you tell her before she found out on social media. The police don't know the cause of death yet, but her car was still parked at the club, so they think she might've left with someone."

"Damn, I'm sorry Quis," Desmond said seeing his friend was visibly shaken up by it.

"If she been robbin niggas like she did me, then she probably had it comin," Marquis said coldly, trying to not seem bothered.

Desmond returned to his apartment and went into his bedroom. Jaden was awake but still in bed. Silent. He wasn't sure if she'd seen anything yet, but he needed to tell her.

"Baby," he sat on the bed.

She hummed a response, looking up at him with teary eyes.

"I needa tell you something." He said scooting closer.

Jaden climbed into his open arms and laid on his chest and began to cry. He rubbed circles in her back as she soaked his shirt in tears.

"It's about Mina." He finally said.

"I...know." She said through sniffles, "People keep texting me their condolences." She sunk her face deeper into his chest.

Once she cried herself to sleep, Desmond left the condo and went shopping. He knew she only had the clothes she'd been leaving at his house, so she'd need things soon. He went and grabbed her a few outfits and lounge sets just as something temporary until she felt like going shopping on herself.

Even then, he was sure he'd just give her his card to shop online. He didn't want to take any risks with Bishop looking for her, and her best friend's body being found. He didn't know if those things were tied to each other, but he couldn't be sure they weren't.

When Jaden woke up, she contacted her professors to have her assignments emailed to her since she was only a few weeks away from finals, and she didn't want to fall behind.

Desmond cleaned up the other room in his penthouse, which he rarely used as an office, so she could use it to focus and study distraction-free when she needed.

As he came back inside his bedroom, he saw that Jaden had fallen asleep on the seat near the window.

He picked her up moved her so she could sleep comfortably in the bed. As he came out the room, his phone rang, it was Marquis.

"Come to my crib real quick," Marquis told him before closing the call.

Desmond walked out his apartment and went over to Marquis'.

"What's the word?" Desmond asked immediately as he walked inside.

"So the advice I was given was go ahead with the sit-down. Mama will be on our side to make sure there's no bullshit. From her understanding, Pope don't even know what's been goin on, but she's gonna arrange the sit down to happen in a few weeks." Marquis explained.

"Why is she arranging it?" Desmond questioned.

"D, she's good people, your girl can vouch for that. Let her work the streets for us. She'll make sure that if it comes down to war, Bishop and his niggas will be on their own."

"I trust you with my life, Quis," Desmond reminded his friend, "Can you trust her the same way?"

"You and her are the only people in the world I know I can trust my life with." He confessed.

"Then I'm in."

♟•••••♟