The Gentleman Thug

Part 7

Jay was the first to come to. He gave me a sour look but his eyes were filled with grudging respect. When Oriana came to she was hysterical.

Jay- "Sorry to scare you. Your ex husband knows your here and if my cousins bird is right. He should be here in .." He checked his watch, "Damn, any minute now."

"Oriana..."

She sobbed.

Oriana- "I'm sorry I got yous involved. I'm so sorry."

Jay- "It's not your fault. This meeting is long overdue. Don't fret. I won't let any harm come to you. My wife will have my neck. Besides, I don't think your man is g'na hand you over easily."

Oriana- "My man?"

She glanced at me and looked away blushing.

Jay- "That's telling. I never said it was Dommie.

He wore a cheeky grin.

"Stop teasing her."

A quick knock at the door ushered the rest of the boys in. Nathaniel walked in with a stranger.

Jay- "Hey, who's your friend?"

Nathaniel- "I'll explain later.. Hi I'm Shayes husband."

Oriana- "It's a pleasure to meet you."

Nathaniel - "Don't worry we'll handle everything."

Oriana- "I'm so sorry I got yous involved."

Nathaniel- "Your family now and it's our job to protect our family."

She gave a grateful smile.

"DOMINICO!....DOMINICO!"

Spencer's angry voice reached the apartment. I stood up to walk outside to meet him when Nathaniel grabbed my arm to wait. His phone rang and he answered, listening intently to what the person on the other end was saying. He hung up.

Nathaniel- "He's here with a car full of his boys but they're unarmed."

That was all I needed to hear.

"DOMINICO!!!!!"

All the boys followed me to the door. I shook my head telling them to stay put. Jay pushed pass me and opened the door, waiting for me to walk out with him.

Jay- "Lets do this uce."

We stepped out. Spencer was standing alone. His boys lined up behind him. He snarled when he saw Jay who smiled in return.

Spencer- "Where's my wife?"

"Ex wife you mean."

Spencer- "The only way she'll be my ex is if she was dead and buried."

"What do you want?"

Spencer- "MY WIFE!"

"Your wife isn't here."

Spencer- "ORIANA!!!"

"Your wife is not here are you dumb? Deaf or plain bloody stupid."

Jay- "Am I invisible or?"

Spencer- "Where is my wife?"

He began walking closer. Anger evident in his eyes. I decided to meet him halfway.

"Your loss is my gain."

Spencer pulled out a gun.

"SPENCER!"

Whirling around, the guy Nathaniel brought with him stood behind us.

Spencer seemed dumbfounded.

Spencer- "Josh? What are you doing here?"

Josh- "Stopping you from making a mess of your life. What are you doing?"

Spencer- "I'm tryna get my wife back."

Josh- "The wife you hid away from the family? The wife you forgot to mention to us? The wife you beat up behind closed doors? That one?"

Spencers hand started shaking. He looked unsure of himself.

Spencer- "Its..its.."

Josh- "Enough!"

Jay- "Who the heck are you?"

Josh- "His older brother. Imagine my surprise when I got a call from Nathaniel calling in his IOU."

Jay- "IOU?"

Josh- "Back in the day when your cousin and I were the head of our trade, we were enemies too. One night I was gang bashed within an inch of my life when your cousin happened to walk by. He saved my life. You didn't know that did you little brother. Dammit put that toy away before you shoot yourself in the foot."

Spencer and Jay were speechless.

Josh- "Whatever animosity there is ends here. Little brother let her go."

Spencer- "Josh...."

Josh- "Let her go."

Jay and I didn't know how to react to the news. Nathaniel walked out putting his hand on Josh's shoulder.

Oriana walked out too looking at Spencer scared. He stared at her for a long time. We all waited to see what his next move will be. I went and stood beside her to lend her my strength. Spencer put the gun down.

Spencer- "I'm sorry Oriana. I loved you so much I didn't know how to keep you with me."

He looked at Jay,

"Your cousin saved my brothers life. You'll no longer have anymore trouble from me."

Jay stood quietly. Nathaniel said his name and Jay mumbled something under his breath.

Jay- "Likewise."

Nathaniel turned to Josh.

"Your debt is paid in full. Thank you"

They shook hands before Josh parted with a broken looking Spencer and his boys. We remained standing outside trying to figure out what just happened. Nathaniel rescued what could have turned out to be bloodshed.

Oriana- "I'm really free?"

"Your free."

Oriana- "I can finally stop running."

Jay- "Ahem.. Seeing as your technically under my care. I think it's best you come home with me tonight. Ria is expecting you."

She slowly nodded. Looking to see if I'd say anything or object. I remained silent. There was no longer any valid reason for her to remain under my roof. Ria was waiting for her and her life was no longer in danger. She moved away from my side and I felt the emptiness already. She walked inside to grab her things. Jay came up to me.

Jay- "Now. Ahem you need to woo her gently. Don't let me down uce. If you don't, Psalms and Ryder will start coming over to try and win her over."

Woo her...that word was foreign to me.

She walked out with her bag. She lightly kissed my cheek before she got into Jay's car with the boys. Ryder remained behind.

Ryder- "I have a bottle of Jack Daniels."

We walked back into a now cold apartment with every intention to get roaring drunk and let sleep overtake me.