do it without any remorse?
Without Kaz, I entered the conference. Harlem trotted by my feet. It appeared he liked to fly.
I studied the convenient workspace. Weeks ago, I had kicked Kaz’s butt in this same room, trying to show him that I could handle myself. Neither of us knew for sure that I was pregnant. Now everything had changed. I carried our son in my womb. Kaz and I were closer than ever. And we both trusted each other more. He knew when to let me go. He understood that I was a boss in my own right. And I knew when to stand behind him, when to listen to his common sense, and when to let him simply take care of me.
Noise sounded.
I turned around.
Blue and King David chatted as they entered. His arm was in a sling. Scratches covered his hands and there were bruises on his face. But overall he appeared just fine.
Blue flipped him off. “You should have brought me along for that brothel. You wouldn’t have a sling on, if you did.”
King David chuckled. “No. I would have been too worried about my buddy. We don’t want to make that blue hair, purple. I like it just the way it is.”
Blue smirked. “I would have loved the idea of shooting pedophiles in their dicks. It helps me sleep better at night.”
“This way is better.” He winked at her. “Now, when you sleep, you’ll know that I’m the one that gave you the rest.”
“Whatever, King David.”
Harlem jumped on my lap.
I scratched his ear and continued to listen to the banter in front of me.
Blue twisted her lips. “I heard you have to bust a nut, before you can go out and fight.”
King David widened his eyes. “Bust a nut?”
“Have an orgasm. Cum.”
“Oh. Yes. Always. It’s not even something deviant. It’s kind of a spell.”
“A spell?”
“Yes. Sex is magic. You’re exchanging more than bodily fluids and pleasure. You’re transforming energy. Sex can give us strength as we expel our weaknesses. So I always bust a nut, before I go fight.”
“Sex magic? Where did you get that from?”
His face reddened with embarrassment. “My grandmother.”
“Whoa. My grandmother never gave me cool advice like that.”
“My Baba is an interesting soul.”
Max and Boris barreled in afterwards.
Boris frowned. “It’s not necessary.”
“It is. You have to let it out, man. Or you’ll die.” Max sat down next to me. “You want to die, Boris?”
I turned to Boris. “What’s wrong? Were you shot or—”
“No,” Boris grumbled.
Max tapped my arm. “This motherfucker hasn’t had sex in four years. What kind of shit is that?”
Boris gritted his teeth. “My family and I were starving and barely getting by—”
“That doesn’t mean you don’t fuck.” Max shook his head. “That shit is crazy, man. You can die from that shit. I bet all types of poisons and stuff are inside your body.”
Looking at Blue, King David gestured to Boris. “You see what I mean?”
Boris eyed him. “What are you two talking about?”
Blue laughed. “We just happened to be talking about the importance of releasing your sperm.”
Max nodded. “See. Even David and Blue know you can die from it.”
Boris frowned. “I release it.”
“But not really.” Max shook his head. “You can’t tickle yourself, man.”
“What?” Blue laughed.
“Okay. Okay.” I waved my hand in the air. “Let’s get off this topic.”
Max muttered. “Fine. But know that his ass is going to die.”
I rolled my eyes. “Would you stop?”
Valentina entered next.
Shock hit all of our faces.
“You’re here?” I was about to stand to greet her. Granted, Harlem lounged on my lap. But it was all unnecessary.
She shook her head as she came over, lowered, and hugged me. “Yes. I had to come. My brother needs to be surrounded by those who love him.”
I hugged her back. “You’re right. I’m glad you’re here.”
Valentina winked at me. “We’ll take care of my brother. He doesn’t need so many men around him anyway. Good women make a leader unstoppable. Good men make a leader pretty decent.”
Max groaned at that.
Valentina ignored him and sat next to me.
Now I was between Max and her.
Valentina leaned my way, “Who is the old woman on the plane? I just saw her. A bunch of men carried boxes.”
“Oh. I had no idea Kaz had invited her,” I whispered. “That’s Baba. I guess he’s bringing her along.”
Valentina kept her voice low. “Is she a good person? Smart?”
“Yes. I think she has a good heart and she. . .tells the future or. . .more like she provides very helpful guidance for the