Loving the Real E

Erik POV Part 4 (15.)

I woke up and it was about 10 pm. Princess was sound asleep but I saw someone left her a glass of water and another dose of pills for when she woke up. I kissed her cheek and climbed out the other side of the bed, trying not to wake her up.

After taking a quick shower and cleaning myself up, I walked into the kitchen to see my mom putting some dishes away. I kissed her cheek.

"Whatchu still doing here Ma?...I thought you went home" I asked her.

"No I decided to stay the night, make sure you guys were all right and didn't need anything" she answered. I smelled food but didn't see any and I was starving.

"In the oven" she said smiling, reading my mind.

I went to the oven and pulled out a plate wrapped up for me. It was her famous Yellow Rice and Red beans, with BBQ chicken and green beans. There was another pot also that sat with the lid on it.

"I made Princess a plate too but... that's soup for her unless she doesn't want anything heavy" my Mother added.

"Thanks Ma, you don't even know how hungry I was"

"Oh I know how you eat!" she teased me."How you holding up baby?....I know tonight was hard for you" she asked.

"I'm better now that she's ok....and as far as earlier goes, not even on my mind anymore....that nigga can burn in hell!"

"Hey!" she said, reminding me to watch my mouth.

"Sorry Ma" I added.

"I'm sorry baby, I never wanted you to have to deal with anything like this again....I know you see...and have to do your share of dirty work in this business....but I never wanted you to have to relive that moment again...I know how traumatizing it was for you as a kid" my Mother said.

She looked at me with such weary eyes and I just wanted her to know I was strong. I did what I had to do, just like last time. I don't regret protecting the women I love and I'd do it again, no hesitation.

"I was a kid then Ma" I said pulling her into a hug. "I'm a man now... but even then I knew....I'm not goin stand for any man putting their hands on women around me, especially the women I love."

"Thank God you didn't take after that man."

My mom hugged me tight and let me know she was going to bed. I finished eating while going through my phone, checking updates on any shit I missed in the last few hours.

Jonny had tried to run up on one of my warehouses. Turns out, he took some product and roughed one of my men up. Little does he know, the product he took was a decoy, basically baking soda and some other shit mixed up.

I had gotten word days ago that Jonny was going to try to make a move. Then, seeing him at the park yesterday had me thinking he was scoping me out.

Did this nigga really think I'd leave my warehouse protected by one man. He fell right into my trap.

I texted Steelo and let him know how we would handle this. He agreed with the plan, and we set up time to meet tomorrow.

Once I finished cleaning up, I went back to the bedroom. Princess was whimpering a bit in her sleep. I assumed she was having a nightmare. I crawled back into bed with her and held onto her tightly.

"It's just a dream baby....it's not real...Daddy got you" I whispered in her ear. I rubbed her head until she calmed down a bit. I put on ESPN and watched clips from the last game before dozing off myself.