Chapter 15

Chapter 15

It was only a few days since he was released, and Jason had already found an apartment in Detroit. He got one very quickly like he didn't want to spend one night in my home. I knew he wouldn't be fond of Rio right away, but this was odd. Another odd thing was Rio's attitude towards him. Rio had nothing on him, yet he clearly had a problem with him. Was I missing something?

I was in the shower, washing the night off of me. I had been on and off the phone all night trying to fix an issue at our Jersey charter. Don was a pig as usual, and I had to dodge that bullshit while trying to conduct business over the phone. If Rio had been home during these calls, it wouldn't have lasted long, but he was out, working.

I let the hot water run over me, and I jumped slightly when I heard the bathroom door open. I looked to see Rio peeling his clothes off. I smiled and continued getting my hair wet. He walked into the shower and smiled at me. My smile dropped once I saw blood spatter on his beautiful face. My thumb ran over his cheek, smearing the substance slightly. His smile faded, and his jaw tensed.

"What happened?"

"Usual. I had to take care of some business. It got a little messier than I had anticipated. But I don't care, it's done, and I got my beautiful...." He said, kissing me. "Wet woman in front of me." He said as he snaked his arms around me.

"You okay?" I asked as he started on my neck. He nodded. He bent down in front of me and lifted my leg over his shoulder, and shortly after, my eyes rolled into the back of my head. If there was one thing Rio was good at besides crime, it was making me forget.

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When Rio and I were done in the shower, we got out and got dressed. Just as I had dried my hair, we heard a knock at the door.

"You expectin' anyone?" He asked. I shook my head no. Rio grabbed his handgun and cocked it. He walked over to the door, keeping the gun out of sight, then opened it to reveal Jason. Rio opened the door wider, giving Jason an unspoken invite. Jason walked in, and I walked up to hug him.

"Hey. What are you doing here? Everything okay?" I asked. Jason nodded.

"Yeah, I um. I wanted to apologize. To both of you." Jason explained. I looked at him sideways, and he turned to Rio.

"I came across as a dick the other day, man. I didn't mean to. My mind is just trying to wrap around everything." Jason said. I smiled at him then at Rio, waiting for Rio to accept his apology. Rio had his arms crossed against his chest, and he slightly shrugged, not taking his eyes off Jason. Not the acceptance I was hoping for, but it's something.

"That's nice of you, J, right babe?" I asked Rio, egging him for a better reaction.

"Yeah. Sure is." Rio said sarcastically.

"Look, I'm trying to say I'm sorry, man. Give me a little credit." Jason said to Rio. Rio chuckled.

"Let me ask you somethin', J.," Rio said as he uncrossed his arms and walked to Jason, so they were nose to nose. "What made you get outta that nuthouse now, huh? It's been almost ten years, right? Why now? Can't unscramble brains that are too far gone, am I right?" Rio said. Jason eyed him.

"Babe, come on." I breathed out. Here we go.

"Alright, you know what? I was trying to be the bigger man. But forget it. I'll see you later, Andy." Jason said as he stomped off.

"J wait!" I said, chasing after him. He was already out the door. I turned back at Rio, and he tensed his jaw as he does and set his handgun on the counter. "What the hell was that?!" I yelled.

"I don't trust him," Rio said simply.

"Rio, he's been in an assisted living facility more or less since he was fifteen. What kind of threat could he possibly be?" I said as I set my hand on my hip. Rio looked at me in that serious expression he usually had that gave me chills down my spine.

"Andy, you're the smartest woman I have ever known. You can't sit there n' tell me that you don't find it a little odd that your brother can bounce outta a nuthouse that easy? Nah, baby, someone got him out." Rio said. I scoffed.

"You're saying you think he's working for someone? Come on, Rio!" I yelled.

"Yeah, I do. Just not sure who yet...that kind of pull, though. Sounds official." Rio said, thinking out loud. I laughed.

"You're saying the feds got him out? J would NEVER rat Rio!"

"I don't think you know your brother like you think you do," Rio said, rubbing his chin. I rolled my eyes and chuckled.

"Yeah, okay. Get me the proof. Then we'll talk." I said, stomping upstairs. I faintly heard Rio respond, "I will."

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A few weeks had gone by, and the tension between Rio and Jason had gotten worse. It got to a point where I had to start visiting Jason at his apartment or a new job in the city because I just didn't want to deal with the alpha male bullshit between him and my fiance. Rio and I had fought several times over the past month about Jason. He was saying it was a bad idea to tell him about what we do. I tried to assure him that J wasn't the type of guy to snitch. He didn't believe me. He made me promise that none of our business would be told to Jason. I listened, but I didn't believe it would be necessary. But either way, even if I didn't believe it or not, I listened to Rio. He was still my boss.

I decided to surprise Jason with lunch at his new office since he said he was too busy to meet me somewhere. I had a meeting with Tia later that evening, so I figured now was as good a time as any. The living facility that J was in gave him the proper tools to integrate back into society now that he was better, and I had to admit, it was well worth the money I paid. Jason was on his own. He had a good job, a new apartment, his own car. I was proud.

When I got up to the Richfield & Associates floor, I got out of the elevator and went to the receptionists' desk. She was on the phone with a friend, talking about plans for the weekend. She saw me and held a finger up. I eyed her and sat there, food in hand and sipping on my drink. About three minutes go by, and I slam my hand on the desk.

"Yo Barbie. I just want to see my little brother. Can you tell me which way Jason Lorenzo's office is?" I ask. She stutters, shocked.

"Um, to the left. But you need an appointment..." She said softly.

"I don't need a damn appointment." I laughed as I went through the glass door. I found J's office, and he was turned towards the big glass window, his back to me. He was on the phone.

"Listen, I will get it. I just need some more time." He started to say as he turned to see me sitting there. He hesitated. "Hey um, I will have to call you back. My sister is here. Okay, bye." He said as he straightened his tie. "Hey, what did you bring?" He said, sounding...off.

"Oh, you know, healthy shit," I said as I busted out two burgers and two fries. He smiled and laughed nervously. "You okay?" I asked.

"Yeah, just bullshit clients, you know." He said as he sat down across from me.

"Need me to take care of em?" I joked. He eyed me. "Kidding, dude," I added.

"How's the wedding planning going?" Jason asked in a sarcastic tone.

"Fine." I hissed. We are planning for October. It only gives me about two months, but the wedding planner says she can get it done. Which reminds me...I have a favor to ask." I said, putting my burger down. Jason looked up from his fries. "I wanted to know if you'll give me away," I asked. Jason sighed.

"You sure you want to do this, Andy? What kind of life can he give you?" Jason said. I rolled my eyes.

"I'm not having this conversation again. I love him, J. And he loves me. I know he isn't exactly what mom and dad would have wanted to for me, but..." I started to say, then Jason scoffed.

"Yeah." He said sarcastically. What the hell was that?

"Why do you say it like that?"

"Nothing, forget it. Maybe we just didn't know mom and dad like we thought we did." Jason said, throwing the rest of his food away.

"What the fuck are you saying?" I growled.

"Nothing. I said drop it." He said.

"You can be a real dick sometimes, baby brother," I said as I roughly stood up, leaving his office. What the hell did he mean?

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I sat in Beth's basement, thinking about what Jason had said a few days prior. I could hear Annie, Ruby, and Beth bantering as usual. What the hell could Jason have meant? Our parents were just in the wrong place, the wrong time. Dad was an accountant. Mom was a florist. What more was there to know about that?

"Hello, Andy? You okay?" Beth asked.

"Oh, sorry, um, what?" I asked.

"Do you have our cut from last time?" Beth asked.

"Oh yeah, sorry, here," I said as I reached behind me to take a bag out of my backpack. I handed it to her, and she took it absentmindedly. Annie took her apron off and sat next to me.

"You okay, lady?" Annie asked.

"Yeah, just family shit. It's nothing. How are you and Eddie? I never see him much anymore. Rio stole him from me." I said, laughing slightly.

"We're good. We're taking it...slow. Ya know? Don't wanna jump into a relationship like this too quick..." She started to say.

"With a gangbanger." I finished for her, smiling. She looked at me sympathetically. "No offense taken here. I get it. But actually, I have a small favor to ask." I said, lowering my voice so the others couldn't hear. My marriage to Rio might be awkward with Beth.

"So, Rio has Marcus and Mick as his groomsmen in the wedding. I only have Rhea as my maid of honor." I started to say. Annie squinted her eyes.

"Wait, Rhea. Isn't that Rio's like...ex-wife?" Annie asked.

"Yeah, I know it's weird. But she is the closest thing I have to a best friend. But I was going to see if you would be my second bridesmaid? If you don't want to, I totally understand." I said quickly.

"No, I'll do it. Totally!" She said with slight hesitation.

"Really? Well, thanks! I'll hit you up when Rhea and I got dress shopping if you'd be into that." I said.

"Well, believe it or not, I have been in more weddings than I can count, so I am a badass at helping pick out dresses. I'll be there. Just let me know." She said. I smiled. I think Annie I were...becoming good friends.

I got home from Beth's and walked into the apartment, Rio and the essential crew sitting at our dining table. I shuffled inside, my feet tired from my heels. Rio extended his arm, and I leaned on him as he wrapped his long arm around my hips. I put the product on the table, and Mick scooped up the bag.

"Five hundred G's. I counted it before I left. Eddie, Annie wants you to come over tonight. I guess Ben is at his dads' house." I said as I yawned. Mick playfully punched Eddie on the arm.

"Get on it, homie," Mick said, laughing slightly. Eddie smiled, and Rio nodded at him.

"A'ight. I'm out. See y'all later." Eddie said before dipping out.

"Remember to pull out my friend!" I yelled after him, Eddie gave me the finger, and I laughed. I was only half kidding. I knew Annie didn't want any more kids.

"We'll get this dropped off at the warehouse tonight," Mick said as the rest of the crew stood up with him. "I'll check in after. Night boss." Mick said, shaking Rio's hand. It always made me laugh, Rio and Mick and their unspoken bromance. Mick gave me a peck on the cheek, "boss lady." He said, winking. I wasn't his boss, but they all called me that still. They all left, leaving Rio and me there. I was now sitting on the dining chair adjacent to his. He was holding my small hand in his, staring at me.

"What?" I asked, smiling.

"I just love you. So fuckin' much." He said as he stood from his chair slightly to take my chin into his hands and kiss me.

"I love you," I said after he pulled away. "Oh, I need you, Marcus and Mick, to get fitted for your tuxes this week. Marla says we need to get that done. I need to find a dress this week too. I need to text Rhea and Annie..." I said, looking down at my home. Rio groaned.

"So Annie's in, huh?" He asked. I eyed him. "Alright, what my queen wants, she gets. Just ugh. Annie." He said, teasing me.

"Deal with it, baby," I said as I sent Rhea a text. I sent one to Annie too. I should have just asked her when I saw her tonight, but I forgot Marla, our wedding planner, wanted me to look this week. Rio laughed at my abrasive tone. "Is it weird your ex-wife is my Maid of Honor? Is that conventional?" I asked. Rio smiled and shook his head.

"Baby, we ain't conventional." He said as he got up and kissed my forehead.

"I guess that's true. I asked Jason to walk me down the aisle. He, um, hasn't given me an answer yet." I said, waiting for a smartass response. But Rio said nothing as I heard him rustling around in the fridge. "Anything?" I asked.

"Nope." He said as he smiled and went out to the balcony. Weird. Normally Rio always had something to say about Jason.

*Happy Good Girls Day everyone! This season is nuts! Please comment, vote, and follow! Enjoy!*