“Did you enjoy yourself?”

With her purse in front of her as she walked, Penny blushed, not realizing that she was for the umpteenth hundredth time. “I did, yes. And I’m not sure which I enjoyed more. Whether it was the convention, your conversation, us playing Spades and Dominoes, or if it’s this.”

“A walk in the park?” Polo chuckled.

“We’ve never done this, Lawrence. It’s like you’ve said, we’ve always been working and focusing on drama. I’ve always been so angry that I couldn’t really see what was right in front of me.”

Now back in Montgomery on a late and starry, chilly night, Polo stopped at a flower vender in the park they were walking around and bought her a single red rose. Penny’s smile couldn’t have been wider when she accepted it.

“I swear it’s like I’m falling in love with you all over again. Only this time, it doesn’t hurt.”

“Oh, shit.”

She stopped and stared at him. “What’s wrong?”

Polo’s eyes were on his gold and diamond wristwatch. “Shit, babe, we gotta get back to your house. We’ve been gone all day without our phones. Your kids are going to pitch fits.”

“Oh, so now they’re my kids when you’ve basically kidnapped me and forced me to smile for all of twelve damn hours straight?”

“Yup.”

“You know what?” Her smile reappeared. “I’d get into trouble with you any day, Mr. Cree.”

By the time the Range Rover pulled into the circular head of the drive, Penny let herself out after seeing all three cars parked in front of the door.

“Officer, you don’t understand,” they heard Braxton say as soon as they opened the doors. “My parents are missing and they—”

They were greeted by A’Dre’s mug, who was sitting on the staircase with his fists balled underneath his chin.

Cain had come out of the study when he heard the doors and grimaced. “Brax, hang up! Here they are!”

Braxton hung up and scurried into the foyer from the sitting room. “Where have you been? We were worried sick!”

A’Dre raised from the stairs with his crumpled face displaying just how angry he was. “Do you have any idea how much we panicked? You even left your phones at the house?”

“Anything could’ve happened to you!” Cain yelled. “You just up and disappeared without a call or a text! We sent people out to look for you with no word back! Do y’all know what kind of business this family is into?” He snapped his fingers and spun around as he flailed his arms. “Pffst. That’s right. Of course, you know… because you started the damn dynasty! We thought motherfuckers could’ve come in here and dragged you out of here!”

“Sons, if you will let us explain—”

“Explain what?” Braxton cut Penny off. “Explain to us the fact that you two have been MIA, sending your sons, their women and our employees into utter chaos over your sudden disappearance? Everybody was in a panic! Even our business associates were sending hounds and asking questions. This was completely irresponsible on your part, and I— we— don’t think either of you understand that.”

“That’s enough!” Polo said sternly. “Now, I know y’all are upset, and maybe we should’ve let you know that we were taking a day off and to ourselves. But, come on. Kidnap? Really? And they just happened to lock the doors behind them, make your mama’s bed, and leave the master’s suite smelling like fresh cologne and perfume? Y’all boys really did jump overboard. However, we are sorry. Next time we want to get away from everything, we will tell you so that your blood pressure doesn’t shoot through the roof, and so you won’t put out a search party or make our associates want to slash throats because you panicked.”

“I’m still mad,” Cain complained. “That wasn’t cool, daddy. We honestly thought something happened. Now that I know y’all are okay, I’m going back home to my wife to let her know that she can stop praying and crying now.”

“Boys, we really are sorry,” Penny told them. “If it’s any consolation, we went to a convention and we really bonded today. We had a really great time. I can vouch for your father to let you know and to put you at ease when I say that he’s not trying to hurt me at all. He was the perfect gentleman.”

“Good. Now, kiss him goodnight, Penny Keeton. You know what happens when men take you off? Hmm? You come back pregnant. Is that what you want when all your sons are grown?”

A’Dre slapped the back of his neck. “They’ve been trying to have a baby, remember, fool?”

“Oh, yeah.” He shrugged. “Well… Daddy, don’t kiss my mama. You go on home. You’ve had her enough for the day.”

Penny rolled her eyes. “I guess my men have spoken.”

Polo licked his lips, hanging on to his bottom lip before he opened his arms for a hug. “It was nice getting into trouble with you, Penny. We should do it again sometime.”

She deeply inhaled his scent with her eyes closed and her cheek pressed against his chest. “You know I’ll be up for it.”

“My sons, I love you. Y’all back up a little and give your mama some breathing room. And remember that she’s not made of glass, and that before y’all were watchin’ out for her that I was. Me and your mama’s union is only a real symbol of the love we have for each other. Real love doesn’t hurt. Goodnight, y’all.”

Penny waited for Polo to leave, closing the door behind him.

“Mama—”

“A’Dre,” she cut him off. “Do us both a favor and shut the fuck up.”

He squinted as his head tilted to the side.

“Look, I know you’re only trying to protect me from what he used to be, but you need to remember that I am a grown ass woman. Whether it be my cartel or my love life, which you know I never really had, I am in control of it all. You don’t have to coddle me or breathe down my damn neck. Just notice that for once I’m smiling, I’m light, and I’ve had everything under control. Yes, I’m going to marry your father. Yes, he used to be one way but now he’s another and it’s hard to believe. But you know what? It’s my burden to bear if it all goes south. Now, call off your hounds, known as your brothers, and let me go up to my room with what happiness I do have in my heart.” She cocked a single brow at him.

“You’ve never spoken to me like this before.” A’Dre was stunned.

“Yeah, well, I gave you too much power and I should’ve reminded you that you were my son, not just the keeper of my everything. But what did you expect from me? I wasn’t a real mother. Now that I am, I demand the same respect that I’ve given you over the years. Stay in your lane, son. Now that you know I’m alright, you and your brothers go home. The next time I gallop away with my first of everything, I will send out a courtesy text beforehand. Agreed?”

“Agreed,” he said just above a whisper.

As soon as Penny got up to her room, she noticed her iPhone on the charger and picked it up. There was a message waiting for her.

“Forgot my phone, beautiful. Thank God I left my burner cell in the armrest. I’ll be by to get it in the morning. Breakfast at Tiffany’s?”

Penny blushed. Polo still remembered her love for Tiffany’s jewelry. “That’s a bet. I’ll bring your phone with me.”

“I love you, Jennifer. I really did enjoy our time together, even though your taste in music sucks ass crack.”

She busted out laughing before replying, “All of Jodeci’s songs sound the same, but I love you too, and I can’t wait to spend more time with you.” Penny skipped to her shower, feeling like a love-sick fourteen-year-old all over again.