Misunderstood (Toussaint Mafia #4)

Chapter 1 #2

“I get that you’re going through a rollercoaster of emotions right now. I can’t even imagine how you’re feeling. I’ve only seen stuff like this in movies or books. I don’t want to go on and on because it’s not my place to tell you how to feel. But I told Ossa that seeing my mom change is what made it easier for me to forgive her. Once I married Ossa, she proved herself through her actions and support. I haven’t forgotten all the hurtful things she said, but I’ve moved on from it. Honestly, that was the best thing for me and my kids,” Imani replied.

“And why’s that? Did she actually deserve it?” Meilani frowned, frustrated by how Imani’s words always seemed to make sense, even the ones she didn’t want to hear.

“How can I ask God for forgiveness if I won’t forgive others? Just like we’re affected by our parents’ trauma, they carry their own too. I’m not justifying anyone’s actions, but your father is an extremely callous and unpleasant person. She went through hell being married to him. You never know what he did to her. So, before you judge her, maybe consider hearing her side. You might see that she’s human too and that she made mistakes. Please know that I’m saying this with love, favorite sis-in-law. I bet this mistake hurts her more than it hurts all of you. As a mother, I know firsthand how hard it can be to make certain decisions. While I don’t agree with what she did, I understand that being a parent is tough. Now, throw in a crazy husband who’s the Don, rich as hell, and conniving—that can only make things a thousand times worse. Your mom was facing things none of us have had to deal with, and that shouldn’t be overlooked, Meilani. Now, how’s everything with your husband?”

As Meilani boiled water for her macaroni, Yaseer crossed her mind.

“I messed up, Imani. You tried to tell me, but I didn’t listen. Now I’ve got to make things right and I honestly don’t know how to do that,” she whispered into the phone.

“Man, y’all are gonna give me gray hairs in these locs. Did you tell him about the things he forced you to do?”

Meilani’s throat tightened as she swallowed.

“I haven’t yet, but I will. I just can’t find the right words.”

“Come on, Meilani there’s no easy way to tell him the truth,” Imani replied, smacking her lips. “But for your man, you better dress it up. Cook a fancy dinner, wear something sexy, and give him some loving before you drop the bombshell. At least he’ll be too tired from all that to really explode. Yaseer loves you, but trust me, he’ll feel the heat on this one. Men like him and Ossa don’t like feeling like the people they love have gotten one over on them. They value respect and trust. It’s on you to fix this. The sooner you tell him, the better. Do it today, sis.”

Meilani thought of telling Yaseer her secret after cooking him dinner, and a knot of worry tightened in her stomach.

“I promise, I’ll do it soon. I need to go but thank you for listening. You better come home soon, or I’ll come and get you myself,” Meilani grinned feeling better after their talk.

“Love you too, and we’ll be back sooner than you think. Hug everyone at the repast for us. Ossa doesn’t want to come because he’s afraid she’ll be there. Send our love and let Reuben’s wife know I sent flowers and a card.”

Meilani nodded, hating that Ossa was so hurt by Jazmine being back that he was allowing for it to keep him away from the family. The time they were in called for him to be there and she honestly needed her big brothers presence.

“No problem, sis.”

After hanging up, Meilani finished up dinner and later found herself sitting next to Yaseer in the car as they made their way to Reuben’s repast. She loved moments like these, where Yaseer would go out of his way to show her how much she meant to him. Instead of having the driver handle it, he took the wheel himself, treating her with that extra care that only made her fall harder for him.

They had showered and dressed in all black, fitting for the occasion. Meilani rocked a sleek black shift dress with matching pumps, while Yaseer opted for a black sports coat and slacks, keeping it clean. His hair was now freshly braided to the back as he donned a clean line up. Yaseer smelled as good as he looked, and Meilani couldn’t stop peering over at him soaking him all in. Unsure of what the future held for them she wanted to cherish every moment she had with her husband whether it be big or small. As they cruised, she noticed a black SUV trailing their Mercedes, while his hand rested firmly on her thigh, like it belonged there.

“Your guards trailing us?” she asked, already knowing the answer.

Yaseer gave a nod, pulling up in front of the rental hall in Corktown for the repast.

“They get worried when I’m out alone. Like I ain’t been that nigga,” Yaseer shook his head. “It’s all good, though. With everything going on within the family right now, I don’t mind it. That’s what I pay them for. To be on the lookout for shit that I might not see, but how you doing, baby? I know Reuben was like an uncle to you. You good?”

Meilani thought of Reuben and Beanz then sighed. Even with them living in the life it never crossed her mind that she could one day lose either of them. Now they were dead and while no-one was saying it, the signs pointed to her father. To know that he could kill his best friend and someone he viewed like a son showed how heartless he could truly be. Meilani was hurt and embarrassed by her father’s actions.

“I’m hurt because I didn’t see this coming, and I’ll miss both of them. Everything feels unreal, but I’d rather not talk about it. I’ll be fine,” Meilani said quietly.

Yaseer studied her face intently.

“Mei, you don’t have to bottle up your feelings, ma. Tell me what’s really going on,” he urged, his hand gently massaging her thigh.

Meilani’s body tensed at the thought of revealing just how deeply everything was affecting her. Shaking her head, she forced the best smile she could muster for her husband.

“I’m okay, Yaseer. I promise.”

Yaseer watched her for a few moments longer before speaking again.

“The food was hella good. I know it’s a lot going on and you didn’t have to make me anything. I could have had the chef come over, but I appreciate it, ma. No one can cook like you, but you already know that shit. Don’t you?” Yaseer smirked, showering her with compliments.

Meilani blushed and leaned closer, unbuckling her seatbelt and brushing her hair out of her face, her eyes locked on Yaseer. Sitting there, he looked too big for the seat, tugging on the bottom of his beard as he watched her.

“I cook better than your momma, right?” she grinned.

Yaseer let go of his beard and leaned back in the seat, licking his full lips before glancing at her.

“I mean, yeah, but don’t be telling’ her that shit,” he smirked.

Meilani giggled, and he gently touched her face. She closed her eyes as his hand slid to the back of her neck, pulling her closer. Her lips stayed on his as they shared a slow, sensual kiss. Yaseer’s kisses lit a fire inside her, making her skin tingle and her body ache for him.

“Mei, you love me?”

Still kissing him, she nodded, and as he held the back of her neck, she opened her eyes, meeting his intense gaze.

“I do. So much,” she whispered, her voice thick with emotion, her eyes brimming with tears.

Yaseer nodded, tasting her lips again before reluctantly pulling back. He went back to tugging on his chin hair, as Meilani sensed something weighing on him.

“Yaseer, what’s wrong?” she asked, her voice soft but concerned.

Yaseer cleared his throat. “Meilani, we in this together, right?”

Her heart skipped a beat as the temperature in the car seemed to rise. He rarely called her by her full name, and it made her uneasy.

“Of course, Yaseer.”

His eyes, dark like rum, shifted toward her, piercing through her.

“Did you know your pops was up to all the shit he’s been doing’?”

Meilani wanted to look away, but she couldn’t. Yaseer would see right through her.

“You said we in this together,” he reminded her, his tone heavy.

Meilani’s shoulders slumped as the weight of her secret settled on her. She couldn’t keep lying to him.

“—Yes, to some degree, but not everything he was into. He kept a lot of personal stuff locked up, even from us. And I didn’t know he was stealing’ money from the family,” she confessed, her voice shaky with nerves.

Yaseer gently took her hand and pressed a tender kiss on the back of it.

“Don’t stress, we in this together. But I need the truth, baby. Don’t keep me in the dark about shit. I tried to forget about it, but I can’t. I gotta know everything so I can stay in the loop and, most importantly, keep you safe. ‘Cause no matter what the fuck he did, nobody’s gonna lay a finger on you. Not even the Founders, so don’t be afraid of shit, Mei. Have you talked to him?”

Meilani quickly shook her head, feeling a rush of warmth as he kissed the back of her hand again.

“Let me ask you this one last time, Mei. Is what Revvy think happened to Cage the truth?” he asked without uttering a single word of death, but the unspoken question hung in the air, and she understood it all too clearly. Yaseer wanted to know once and for all if Boston killed Cage. Meilani tired of the lies, breathed deeply and nodded. As she waited, anticipating Yaseer’s anger to erupt, she was surprised to find that it never did. He gently kissed the back of her hand once again before releasing it. “I appreciate you telling me the truth. Let’s go inside, ma.”

“Okay,” Meilani uttered out of whack.

Meilani and Yaseer stepped out of the car their fingers tightly intertwined as they made their way into the grand hall. Inside, the walls were lined with large photos of Reuben and his wife, capturing the years of love they’d shared. The soft cries of Reuben’s wife, Rebecca, filled the air as she sat near the front, right next to his urn. She wore all black, just like everyone else, while Jazmine sat beside her.

Meilani’s steps faltered her feet suddenly glued to the floor. Her heart raced at the sight of her mother. She hadn’t expected to see Jazmine again—not like this, not in this lifetime. Even though she knew deep down that her mom would probably show up, a part of her had been holding out hope that she wouldn’t. The sight of Jazmine stirred something uncomfortable in her, making it hard to breathe.

“Come on, baby,” Yaseer whispered, his voice filled with tenderness, as he guided Meilani by his side. Yaseer stopped at Promise, who was sitting near the front with Maia, and they exchanged a friendly dap. “What’s good, nigga and Maia you been good sis?” he inquired, taking charge like only he could, all the while holding Meilani close.

“I’m handling it,” Maia replied, her tired eyes making Meilani worry even more.

Her baby sister, with heavy-lidded eyes, stood and gave Yaseer a quick, tired hug before embracing Meilani tightly.

“You okay?” Meilani whispered as she let her go.

Maia nodded, resting her head on Promise as she sank into her seat, looking up at Meilani and Yaseer.

“Don’t worry, I’m good,” she reassured them. “Boston wasn’t feeling’ too well, and Masami’s outside talking to Nano.” She frowned slightly.

“Oh, okay,” Meilani said, still feeling uneasy about her sister’s exhaustion.

“Hey, Meilani, sweetheart,” Rebecca called out, catching her attention.

Inwardly, Meilani groaned but followed Yaseer as he gently pulled her down the walkway toward Rebecca and Jazmine. Meilani did her best to ignore her mother’s piercing stare as she leaned down and wrapped Rebecca in a tight embrace.

“I’m truly sorry this happened. You know how much we loved Reuben,” Meilani whispered softly.

Rebecca sniffled, her eyes filling with tears.

“I know,” she whispered back, “And he loved all of you with everything in him. I just can’t believe he’s really gone,” Rebecca cried, her voice breaking.

Meilani gently patted her back before standing up. Yaseer handed Rebecca a card, which Meilani hadn’t even noticed him carrying, before giving her a brief hug.

“Reuben was a good man. I’m sorry for your loss. My mom’s sends her love,” Yaseer spoke, his voice deep and respectful before he turned to Jazmine. “How you doing, Mrs. Toussaint?”

Jazmine stood up, embracing Yaseer tightly before turning toward Meilani. Meilani wanted to push her away, wanted to distance herself, but she couldn’t—not with everyone watching. Her family was already the talk of the room; she wasn’t about to give them more to gossip about.

With a tight hug, Jazmine whispered, “Hey, baby.” Standing in heels, they were nearly the same height, and Meilani hated how good it felt to be in her mom’s arms. “I love you, Meilani. My precious Meilani,” Jazmine whispered, her voice full of warmth.

Meilani nodded, unsure of what to say, before pulling away.

“We’re gonna sit down,” she said quickly, grabbing Yaseer’s hand and hurrying off.

They found seats in the row behind Maia and Promise, where the rustling of programs and low whispers filled the air. Meilani tried to avoid looking in her mother’s direction as Yaseer squeezed her hand firmly.

“You only got one mom, Mei. Don’t forget that. Ain’t worth holding onto old grudges, especially when it comes to our lifeline. Your moms? She’s your lifeline, baby. Making peace with her could be the key to healing whatever’s still broken within you,” Yaseer said quietly, silencing a buzzing phone as he finished speaking.

Meilani didn’t respond, her eyes locked on the pastor as he recounted Reuben’s life and the tragedy of his death. But her mind was elsewhere. How was she supposed to sit here, in this room, and process the fact that her mother—whom she thought was dead—was alive and breathing right in front of her?

How did Yaseer expect her to move on from that?

“I’m craving meatloaf, mashed potatoes, green beans, cornbread, and pussy. I gotta have that pussy, bare, soaked, and ready for me when I come home, Mei. You know I can’t stand flying out like this. My dick was rock hard when I woke up this morning and you were blocking me from getting what I wanted,” Yaseer complained.

Meilani walked into her place with a big smile on her face. Yaseer was spoiled, no doubt. He wanted her all the time—her food, her heart, and her body. He couldn’t get enough of her.

“I swear, everything going on lately is messing with me. My head’s been killing me again this morning, but don’t worry, baby, I got you. When are you coming back?” she asked, slipping off her heels. Her brows furrowed when she noticed the bathroom door slightly ajar.

“In about four hours. I gotta bounce but remember what I said—I need that food, and I really need you. I’m hella backed up, Mei. I love you.”

Before she could respond, Yaseer hung up. Meilani sighed, dragging her gun out of her purse. The staff was off today—she needed a few quiet weekdays to herself—and the house guards had already left the house. Her gut told her to double-check the situation before alerting security. She tiptoed down the hall, gun ready, when suddenly, Yaseer’s mom appeared.

“Meilani! I thought you were flying with Yaseer to Miami today.” Yaseer’s mom stepped around the corner, Yoson, Yaseer’s little brother, tagging along behind her.

Meilani frowned, relieved she hadn’t fired by mistake. She carefully holstered the gun.

“I wasn’t feeling good, so he went with Joyner. He’ll be back later today,” she replied, her tone laced with a hint of attitude. “But what’s up?”

“Yoson, grab your things and head to the car. I’ll be out in a bit, and make sure you use the garage,” Yaseer’s mom said, her voice tinged with anxiety.

Yoson gave Meilani a quick nod before making his way toward the family room.

“Yaseer’s gonna see the tapes of him being here,” Meilani warned.

Yaseer’s mom nodded, her hand slipping into her pocket to retrieve her Jaguar key fob. She gave Meilani a worried glance and let out a long sigh.

“I know, and I was hoping you could delete today’s footage—just the parts with him. I promised Yaseer I’d keep my distance, but I can’t help it. Yoson and his brother... they’re a part of my husband, part of Yaseer. I’ll always love them for that. They need help, and I need to help them. As Yaseer’s wife, can you keep this between us? At least until I find a way to tell my son. Yoson and his brother are here, in Marcy Falls. Yaseer’s other brother just got out of jail, and I’m trying to give him a fresh start. That’s why I had them come here for good.”

Meilani hesitated, unsure of how to respond, which prompted Mrs. Saintil to continue.

“I know this might not make sense to you, and it doesn’t to Yaseer either, but I know my heart. Their mother is gone, and that’s all the more reason for me to care for these boys. I’m not the type of woman to punish children for their father’s mistakes. I’m too grown for that. I know it takes both the man and the woman to create a mess. It’s never the kids’ fault. I’d love for you to meet his other brother, too.”

Meilani’s mouth went dry as she cautiously scanned the foyer, her mind racing. Mrs. Saintil caught her bewildered look and gave her a soft smile.

“I know this is overwhelming. I’m always lecturing you and Yaseer about being honest, and here I am, asking you to keep a secret. I’m a hypocrite,” Mrs. Saintil admitted with a small laugh. “It just takes time to get Yaseer to calm down. He’s stubborn, just like his father. But you see his good heart in how he treats people. That being said, his pride is his biggest flaw. I promise I won’t take long to tell him. Can you give me a few days?” she pleaded, gently squeezing Meilani’s hand.

Meilani looked at her, conflicted. Mrs. Saintil had always been in her business, but she was a good woman who had taught her a lot in the last year. Still, guilt gnawed at her—another secret to keep from Yaseer.

“I don’t know. That’s a lot to ask,” Meilani admitted. “You know I respect you, but this isn’t right. Yaseer needs to know, and if we both keep it from him, he’ll lose it. Maybe if I told him?—"

“Honestly, Yaseer doesn’t give a shit about me. Not even Yannis and they grew up together. That nigga is heartless, but I don’t need nobody to have my back. Mom, it’s cool if we have to leave. We’ll find somewhere else to crash, cause we ain’t gonna beg nobody for shit,” Yoson retorted in his deep voice, showing Meilani his Yaseer-like attitude.

Meilani gave a quick look at her husband’s hot-headed younger brother and then coughed.

“See, what you’re not gonna do is try to attack my man. Yaseer is extra at times, but he goes so hard for the people he loves. I’m sure he has also gone hard for you and because he loves you, I do too,” Meilani admitted, realizing how Yaseer had softened her heart in so many ways. The old Meilani wouldn’t have given two shits about his mom or his half-assed brothers.

“So, I have a loft in Luxor where they can crash. It’s furnished, and I own it, so they won’t have to pay any bills. Family of Yaseer is a family of mine. There are two bedrooms, and you can stay as long as you want. Under my sink cupboard in the kitchen, there is a hidden stash of money. It’s only four grand, but you can share it and get what you need. Then you will have to figure things out for yourself and stop depending on Mrs. Saintil to save you. You gotta have your affairs in order to be an adult. Even when you don’t want to. You owe it to yourself. Oh, and keep your hands off my jewelry. I still want that, and you look like a sneaky one,” Meilani told Yoson, who relaxed and smirked at her words.

“I can help with jobs, but honestly, I will only do that after you have attempted to get your life together. Regardless of how you might think I’m living; I’ve worked hard for everything I have. You can do the same, now it’s up to you,” Meilani explained, making Yaseer’s mom smile proudly at her.

“They’ll gladly accept it. Thank you so much, sweetheart,” Mrs. Saintil said sincerely before pulling her into a hug.

Meilani nodded, with a wave of frustration washing over her as she realized this was yet another secret she would have to hide from her husband.