Page 9 of Love’s Decree

“Don’t speed, or I swear I’ll never speak to you again,” she warned before getting settled on the bike.

“You’re safe with me, sweetheart. Always remember that.” Once I was sure she was comfortable, I got on the bike and turned it on. The roar of the engine as I started the bike caused Rory to tighten her arms around my waist. I looked behind me to make sure she was good. Once I felt like she was ready, I kicked up the stand on the bike and slowly pulled out of the alley. Normally, I would’ve sped off, but I didn’t want Rory to be uncomfortable.

Our destination was a spot by the Harlem River where we could see the bridge that connected the city. It was a twenty-minute ride, and it took everything for me not to speed. While we rode, Rory would tighten her grip if I went too fast. It became our signal for me to slow down. When I felt her arms relax, I knew I was going at a speed that was comfortable for her.

The closer we got to the spot, the louder the waves became. I slowed down and brought the bike to a stop. Just as I put the kickstand down, I felt Rory moving behind me.

“That was the scariest thing I’ve ever done in my life. Never again,” Rory said.

“You’ll get used to riding with me.” I got off the bike and helped Rory get off. She passed me the helmet as she attempted to straighten her hair. I continued to watch her every move, studying her movements in awe of her beauty.

When Rory finished fussing with her hair, she turned around and stopped in her tracks.

“This view. My God, it’s beautiful. How did you find this place?” she asked.

The glow from the moon only enhanced her beauty.

“I stumbled on it one night as I was just driving around the city. It’s been my private little hideout since then, ya dig?”

“Sometimes, I get so lost in the hustle and bustle of the city that I forget spots like this exist. Do you come out here often?”

“When shit gets hectic, and I have a lot on my mind, I do. The sound of the water is one of the few things that can ease my thoughts.”

We sat in a comfortable silence. I wrapped my arm around Rory’s waist as she rested her head on my chest. I didn’t know what made me bring her out here tonight. The longer Rory and I stood out there, the happier I was that I did.

“What do you want from me, Aasim? I like to be upfront. Are you looking for a sex partner, a relationship, or something else?”

Damn, little mama straight to the point, huh? I didn’t answer right away. Whatever I told her would determine how we moved, going forward.

“Before I answer that, how do I know I can trust you? I’m involved in a lot of shit that could get my ass thrown under the jail. I can’t get so caught up in you that I ignore what you do for a living,” I admitted.

Rory turned around to face me. “Give me a dollar.”

“Huh?”

“You want to trust me, so retain me as your attorney. I don’t ever have to represent you, but I’ll be legally bound not to share anything you share with me. Is that enough for you to trust me?”

I raised an eyebrow at her because I wasn’t sure how serious she was. Little mama held her hand out and waited for the money. I dug into my pocket and pulled out a knot of bills. The smallest bill I had was a twenty, which I put in her small palm.

Rory took the money and tucked it inside of her bra. “I’ll draft up a formal contract tomorrow, just in case. Now that you can trust me, how do I know I can trust you?”

“I’m a man of my word. Even if I tell you something you don’t like, you won’t ever have to worry about me lying. That’s the only way I know how to be. I’m as real as they come, little mama.”

Rory stared at me with an unsure look on her face. I could see the wheels turning in her head. I could tell she liked to take her time to make logical decisions.

“Don’t overthink what I just said. When I first laid eyes on you, I knew there was something special about you. If I wanted to fuck you, we could’ve done that at the lounge. I want you in my life, Rory. I think my future includes you in it.”

“I need to know what you’re into before I decide if I can risk everything for you.”

I took a deep breath before I admitted anything. “Drugs and guns. I’ll leave it at that. You can fill in the blanks.?”

“I could be throwing away my entire career, being with you—a career I started to avenge my uncle. I’m an only child, and I support my mother financially. I have a lot to lose.”

“Being an attorney isn’t the only way to avenge your uncle. There are plenty of kids in the inner city that could use someone with your expertise. You don’t have to work for that stuffy law firm. As far as money goes, that is not something you’d ever have to worry about fucking with me.”

Her face held a blank expression. I knew I gave her a lot to think about, but I meant what I said. Rory could use her expertise to really help the youth. There were plenty of kids arrested every day, whether or not they committed the crime. Those public defenders wouldn’t fight for them the way Rory would.

“If money wasn’t an issue, what would you do? Would you still practice law?” I asked.