Black Pearl (21 page)

Epilogue

One year later…

“Girl, that was some class,” Mercedes sighed as she entered the door behind Devyn. She and Nikola had moved into the mansion he’d grown up in. Iris insisted they move in and she would take Nikola’s old condo and redecorate. Although Devyn told Iris she could stay in the mansion, her mother-in-law insisted that no newly married couple should have to deal with a mother-in-law in the home. Iris still spent a great deal of time at the home anyway, to visit her grandsons.

Mercedes and Devyn had just returned from their Saturday kickboxing class for lunch. Devyn was taking extra classes to try and lose the rest of her baby weight. Six months after the birth of Theodore Andre Collins and Jacques Raul Collins—named after their uncle and godfather of course—she had about eight more pounds to get down to her pre-pregnancy weight. Not that her husband seemed to mind. He’d barely been able to wait the six weeks of recovery time after she gave birth and ever since, there wasn’t a day that went by that he wasn’t telling her—with his words and actions—how much he loved her or thanking her for making him a father.

“Yeah, it sure was. I made sandwiches and salad beforehand. Let’s eat on the patio.” It was late in fall, but the weather was nice enough to sit outside for lunch.

“Sounds good to me. Where are my god babies anyway?” Just as Mercedes finished her question, Devyn heard her favorite sounds ever, the laughter of one of her babies followed by the laughter of their father. Nikola strolled from the hallway with Jacques tucked under one arm. She marveled at how much he already looked like his father. His skin only slightly darker than Nikola’s. She often commented on how it looked like Nikola was the one who gave birth to the boys instead of her. Jacque laughed as his daddy tickled him under his chin.

“Where–?” Devyn’s question was answered when Raul strolled up behind Nikola holding a bouncing Theodore. Devyn noticed a look she couldn’t quite figure out, pass over Mercedes’ face when she saw Raul, before it turned into a mask of indifference.

“Hi, baby. Raul stopped by for a little while to visit his godsons,” Nikola said pressing a kiss to her lips.

“Killer, it’s a good thing these babies got your looks. They’re adorable.” Devyn knew that was a lie. Those babies were a mirror image of their father.

Raul had taken to calling Devyn ‘Killer’ after the night he and Nikola walked in on her kicking the shit out of Marcus. Devyn thought about how much her life had changed since that night. Marcus was rearrested, but had to spend a week in the hospital after having surgery on his ruptured testes. He was placed back in jail, but only a month after he was there, he was placed in the general population, which literally meant murder for a former cop. A week later he was found shanked to death in his cell. Devyn suspected that Nikola and Raul were behind his moving from solitary to general population, but she didn’t bring it up. 

“They do look like me, don’t they?” Devyn teased, eyeing her husband and grabbing Jacques who squealed and reached for her. As soon as he saw Devyn take Jacques, Theodore started squirming in Raul’s arms and reaching for his mommy. Devyn took him from Raul. Mercedes shook her head.

“Three demanding men in your life. Couldn’t be me,” she said aloud. Devyn laughed.

“Well, I was heading out. Good to see you, Killer. Nik, I’ll call you. Mercedes.” Raul gave her a curt nod.

“Mr. Santiago,” Mercedes returned his greeting just as curtly before turning and walking to the kitchen. Devyn looked at Nikola and his look let her know he was still clueless as to what went on between their two best friends. He walked Raul out to his car, and Devyn set up lunch on their back patio. She settled her boys in their play pen next to the table, while she and Mercedes ate.

“Are you ever going to tell me what happened between you two?” Devyn asked Mercedes.

“Nope. Water under the bridge,” Mercedes waved off the question. Devyn knew it was deeper than that, but didn’t push.

Later that afternoon Iris had picked up the boys for a sleepover. She’d said every healthy marriage needs a lot of private time for just the couple without the kids, so she volunteered to take the boys overnight. Devyn suspected that was just an excuse to keep her grandchildren with her as much as possible, but Devyn wasn’t complaining. She happily packed up plenty of pumped breast milk, diapers, and clothing to make sure Iris had everything she needed for the sleepover.

Devyn had a special treat planned for her husband that night. That evening, after dinner, she arranged for a driver to pick them up at 8:00 p.m. She refused to tell Nikola where they going. When they arrived at The Black Kitty, it looked completely dark. Nikola looked curiously at Devyn.

“Mistress Coco let me rent out the place tonight for an audience of one.” She eyed him and winked.

Devyn planned it months ahead of time. They had just celebrated their one year anniversary a few weeks prior with a surprise trip to Rio with the boys. Devyn hadn’t gone back to performing as of yet, but she still planned on performing. For now, she was comfortable coming up with new routines for her husband.

They entered The Black Kitty to find it lit with candles leading up to a table right in the center of the room and a spotlight on the stage. Devyn escorted Nikola to the table and pressed him into the seat.

“I love you, Mrs. Collins,” Nikola said pulling her onto his lap. Before she could even protest she moaned as he trailed kisses down her neck.

“I love you too, Mr. Collins,” she reached down and rubbed his growing erection through the fabric of his pants.

“Forever?” He asked biting her earlobe.

“Forever,” she sighed before stepping back.

“Ah, ah, ah. You know the rules. Hands to yourself,” she began walking to the stage.

“I was thinking of a new routine and wanted you to see it. This one may not go into my performances though,” she said stepping on the stage.

Under her long trench coat she wore a revealing sexy pink lace lingerie and corset, complete with stockings and garter belt. As soon as she stepped on the stage, the opening notes of Rihanna’s
Skin
began to play. She swirled her hips seductively, as her husband sat back in his chair with a rapt expression on his face.    

Black Pearl was in her element.

The End

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