Save Room for Us (Crenshaw Kings Book 7)

by Shvonne Latrice

Anastazia might not have been in the mood for a new nigga, but she was about to get one.

“Why can’t I be looking for a man? After what I endured, I deserve it.” “Because when you start looking, yo’ eyes need to land on me.”

“So you ready to play step daddy?” “That’s already in a nigga’s blood. You forgot? I was put on earth to be a step daddy.” He smiled and I chortled, thinking of Lisara. “But I don’t play no roles, love. I live in the shit, show other muthafuckas how it’s done. That was supposed to be my baby anyway.” “I didn’t know you when she was created.” I hated myself for cheesing at this shit he was laying down, but I couldn’t help it. “Now you do. You bet not have another fucking baby that ain’t carrying my DNA.”

“My ex was a psycho,” I admitted. “Nah, he a coward. And I can tell you right now he not willing to do what I am for you.” His eye contact was so strong I had to glance away here and there. “He don’t even have the ability to.” “What are you willing to do for me?” I put it as a joke, but I truly wanted to know. “Anything.” He lifted his brows briefly.

“Yeah, really.” I nodded, and I could see the puzzled look on her face begin to form. “As much as this may sound like game or bullshit, Anastazia, from the day we made eye contact in my brother’s office, I thought about you at least once a day. Never forgot your face, your name, your voice. And when my brother actually married Leeci, I was happy for him, but I was even fucking happier to have you close. I knew with yo’ sister being my sister-in-law, I would always know you.”

“I know we friends, but I want you. Long as I ain’t making you uncomfortable, let me do me. A nigga can’t see something I want and be idle, baby. I’m a go-getter.” Moving a piece of my hair from my face as he peered down into he continued, “I’m yours and you been mine since you walked into that fucking office. When I thought you was happy, I was willing to suffer and be a homeboy or some shit but now that you free, love, I gotta do what I gotta do; go for what I want. I’m ready to lock you down, ice out that finger, put Sophie on a nigga’s taxes, and take care of you. When you ready, of course.”

“I think you perfect, baby, but I want you to think you perfect too. I want you to feel the way a nigga feels whenever I see you walk into a room.”

Asif had left an impression on me that quickly, and I knew another man would never be able to fill his shoes. He helped me understand women like my mother, ones who had such a good man that they didn’t need to remarry or replace him once he was gone from this earth. I always thought my mother was lonely, but being here and experiencing Asif showed me that she was most likely the opposite. She was content, happy to have experienced a man like my daddy.

The thought of another muthafucka doing this shit with Anastazia drove a nigga crazy already. Nobody deserved this shit but me. These other niggas didn’t want this woman the same way I fucking did. To other muthafuckas, she was a beautiful woman they could possibly see some shit with, but to me, she was a nigga’s future. I’d go to war for it and would bet on everything I loved that no muthafucka walking this Earth would outlast me.

“No, who is this nigga, and why he got my baby?” Cedric cut his girl off. “This my baby, nigga.” I couldn’t help it. “I’m the one reading bedtime stories, learning nursery rhymes, footing the bill for her needs, and taking good care of her mama. This my family, nigga.” I gestured toward Mrs. Chase as well, seeing a lingering smirk in her face. “You the muthafuckin’ outsider. Next time you open yo’ fucking mouth, it need to be to thank me.” “You fucking my bitch?” His eyes narrowed as his baby mama to the left of him stared down at his ass in surprise. “Nah, I took a woman yo’ bitch-made ass ain’t have no business in the same room with and moved her on up, nigga.” I adjusted Sophie as she stirred some, waking up. “Be respectful when speaking on the mother of my child ’cause it’s nothing for a nigga to take this Hermes leather off and put belt to yo’ ass like yo’ daddy should’ve.”