For a man like Merc, his reputation has always preceded him. Known for his allegiance to the criminal underworld as a protector, the gangster only shows love to his family... and his son and the woman who birthed him are at the top of that list. Whe...
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That made me smile. I could admit I had a healthy sex life. Aries may have been the last woman I was in a serious relationship with, but I rotated the women I dated and had sex with regularly. Being honest though, that shit was getting kind of played out. I was tired of getting to know women and learning them. There were times I wanted one woman to know, trust, and come home to, but I didn’t see that happening for me any time soon—if ever.
“I have no idea, but I know I’m getting into something.”
“Yeah, I bet.” She chuckled as she buckled her seat belt.
“I’m about to run some errands. Let me know when you get home.”
“Okay, be safe.”
With a nod, I closed her door and headed to my car. I had three. Marz wanted me to take him to school in my black Camaro because it matched his outfit. That boy was something else.
Once I was settled in the car, I checked the notifications on my phone. A smile spread my lips at the sight of Asylum’s text, letting me know he was going to be a father by blood for the first time. He was on a weeklong vacation with his woman, Dauterive, and I couldn’t be happier for my best friend. Out of my crew, Asylum was the one we least expected to be in a new relationship with a baby on the way… seeing as just last year he was married to someone else.
That whole situation was a trip, but I was just glad he was finally with the love of his life and still able to maintain his father daughter relationship with his stepdaughter,True. After sending him my congratulations and letting him know we’d have to celebrate when they got back, I headed out of the parking lot to run my errands for the day. I turned up the Yo Gotti that was playing and cruised the streets with peace in my soul and love in my heart… even if I didn’t have a woman to give it to. My life in all other areas was good, and I was grateful to God for that.
With a frustrated sigh, I rolled off Victoria. Even with the Hennessy in my system, I couldn’t keep my dick hard. I kept telling myself getting it wet would keep it up, but I couldn’t force myself to enter her soaking pussy. There was nothing wrong with Victoria. She was beautiful, thick, and down for whatever. It was me.
I was tired of fucking on one woman after another. The pleasure, fun, and victory of a conquest was getting played out. My mind told me because it was Valentine’s Day, I deserved to end my day in some pussy, but my heart wanted something… someone… different.
Running my hand down my face, I looked down at Victoria. It was clear she was frustrated as she sat up, but she remained silent.
“Look… I’m just not feelin’ this shit,” I told her honestly, looking around the hotel room I’d brought her to, because I never took a woman where I laid my head and raised my son.
“Why not? Do you need me to suck you off a little longer?”
My head shook as she rubbed my back, and even her touch was annoying me.
“Nah. I think I’m just going to call it a night.” Standing, I ignored the chuckle she released. “You can stay here until morning if you want.”
“You’re serious?” Victoria asked, watching me slip into my pants. Since that was clear by my actions, I didn’t bother answering with my words. “What the hell am I supposed to do for the rest of the night, Merc?”
“I don’t care. Go somewhere. Have someone else come up here. Whatever you do, it just won’t be with me.”
With a pout, she crossed her arms over her chest and grumbled under her breath. I did feel kind of bad for leaving her without this dick, but I didn’t feel bad enough to force myself to do something I genuinely didn’t want to do. Pulling out all the cash in my wallet, I set it on the nightstand and gave her a kiss on the temple. Since I hadn’t gotten her anything for Valentine’s Day, I told her to treat herself with the money and have a good night. Lord knows I was going to—in front of my TV with a drink… enjoying my own damn company.
My peaceful night of solitude was interrupted by Aries barging into my home. We had boundaries that allowed us to be respectful and considerate of each other since she lived behind me, so I could tell she was excited about something as she rushed into my home theater without bothering to knock or call me first. I let it slide since I wasn’t entertaining anyone. Taking a swig of my beer, I kept my eyes trained on her as she skipped into the room.
“Merc!” she yelled before squealing and covering her mouth with her hands.
I took pride in being observant, so it didn’t take me long to notice the ring on her left hand… her left ring finger. Scoffing, I shook my head as she came toward me.
“Omar proposed! I’m getting married!”
She stretched her arm out so far it almost hit me in my face. Chuckling, I took her wrist and lowered her hand to inspect the ring. It looked cheap as fuck, but I knew not everyone was able to spoil their woman and provide financially the way I could. Being an enforcer, for the clients I took on, was a seven-figure business. I didn’t just provide security and protection; I was a hitta too. For Asylum, I was the head of his security, and I used to be a freelance musician as well. Money was something I’d never have to worry about… and neither would my son.
It was instilled in me if a man couldn’t provide for his wife, he wasn’t ready to be a husband yet. Still, I wouldn’t speak on the cheap ring. There was an issue more pressing that needed to be addressed anyway.
Releasing her wrist, I told her, “I’on know how I feel about him being your husband.”
Scoffing, she rested her hands on her waist. “What is that supposed to mean?”
“I don’t like Omar. I’ve only tolerated him because you seemed to like him. But he ain’t good enough to be my little man’s stepfather, so you need to give that mane his ring back.”
For a while, she just stared at me. Done with the conversation, I returned my attention to the wall. The projector was showing an Unauthorized Biographies with Peter Graves episode that featured John Gotti. He was probably the most influential don I’d studied over the years. Not because I was out here selling drugs or managing gambling rings or loansharking, but because of the code he lived by and instilled in his men. Even after his episode, I’d continue to watch the show because I loved learning about people who had succeeded for inspiration… regardless of how their life ended.
“I’m sorry. I’m not understanding why you think you have a say in who I marry.”
“The fact that we went half on a baby gives me that right. If I don’t approve of the man you settle down with, he ain’t gon’ be around my son.”
