“Thank you, Aunt Wanda,” RJ said and then he escorted the ladies to the door. When he got back to the bar, Venus was there waiting for him.
“I just wanted to thank you. The show was great.”
“I’m glad you enjoyed it,” RJ said, and the two secret lovers eased into a very public conversation. They were having fun, laughing and talking until Pills tapped RJ on the shoulder.
“Here comes Sterling.”
“Let him come,” RJ said to Pills and then he leaned close to Venus. “Here comes your man,” he said, and Venus stepped away from RJ quickly.
“I was lookin’ for you. I’m ready to go,” Sterling said and grabbed Venus by the arm. He looked at RJ. “What you doing over here anyway,” he said to Venus, but he still hadn’t looked away from RJ.
Since he was in no way intimidated by Sterling, RJ didn’t look away either. Venus had to think quickly before this all blew up and somebody ended up dead.
“I was just saying thank you to RJ for the great seats,” she stood closer to Sterling and kissed him on the cheek, hoping that would pacify him.
“I didn’t know that you two knew each other,” Sterling said and the stare down continued.
“He was the one who was here when I came and got the tickets,” she lied quickly and hoped he believed her.
“Oh … okay.” Sterling nodded. “Let’s go,” he said, put his arm around Venus and then he turned to walk away, but Sterling turned back quickly. He pointed at RJ.
“Stay the fuck away from my woman,” he said, and RJ said nothing. Venus pulled Sterling’s arm until he walked away.
Judah leaned closed to RJ. “That went better than I thought it would.”
“Yeah, me too.”
“But it was bound to happen sooner or … damn! Who is that with Kelsey.”
“That’s Fantasy.”
“Damn sure is,” Judah said. “My fantasy.”
“No, that’s her name,” RJ explained.
“So, that’s Fantasy,” Marvin said as she came toward the bar dressed elegantly in a twilight navy Zac Posen floral-print strapless dress.
“How come everybody knows about Fantasy but me?”
“I didn’t know about her, but I really want to know all about her now,” Pills said.
“I saw her first,” Judah said as Fantasy approached them, and she extended her hand to RJ.
“Hello, Mr. Ray. My name is Fantasy. I wanted to introduce myself and to say thank you so much for allowing me to get in without a ticket. And thank you so much for Kelsey. He has taken such good care of me.”
“It was my pleasure having you here this evening,” RJ said, and then turned to the other kings. “This is Judah, Pills and Marvin.”
“The vaunted Four Kings,” Fantasy said. “It is an honor to meet such distinguished gentlemen.”
“Believe me,” Judah said. “The pleasure is all mine.”
“Can I offer you anything?” RJ asked.
“No, thank you. I have another engagement that I am running a bit late for. But, I wanted to be sure to introduce myself and thank you all, once again, for a lovely evening,” Fantasy said and then she was off to J.R.’s to post up and wait for Carter to get there.
“I think I’m in love,” Judah said as he watched Fantasy walk away.
Chapter Six