Something dangerous flashed in those ocean-colored eyes, but then his lips curved into a mocking smile. “A lowlife you had a whole baby with,” he countered, his voice silky smooth. “What’s that make you, sweetheart?”
“You don’t knowshit about me.”
“I knowyou had a baby with a nigga who spent all the baby’s life in prison. I know you only feed that baby sugar…”
My hand flew upbefore I could stop myself, palm open and ready to connect with his smug face. But Prime was faster—much faster than a man his size had any right to be.
His hand clamped around my wrist mid-swing, the force of his grip making me gasp. In one fluid motion, he spun me around, my chest slamming against the kitchen wall. Both my wrists were captured in his massive hand, pinned high above my head. His other arm snaked around my waist, holding me firmly against him.
“That wasn’t smart,” he growled, his breath hot against my ear.
I struggled against his hold, but it was like fighting against steel. His body pressed against mine from behind, the hard planes of his chest against my back, his hips pinning mine to the wall. The position was compromising in ways I didn’t want to acknowledge—the heat of him, the strength, the way my body betrayed me with a shiver that had nothing to do with fear.
“Let go of me,” I hissed, my voice shakier than I wanted it to be.
“Not until you calm down and listen.” His lips were so close to my ear I could feel his warm breath on my neck. “And if you ever try to hit me again, I won’t be so gentle.”
I went still, my body trembling with rage and something else I didn’t want to name. The feel of him pressed against me was overwhelming—his scent, his heat, the undeniable power in his body. I could feel every hard inch of him, and it was doing things to me I hadn’t felt in years.
“What do you want?” I finally asked, my voice barely above a whisper. The fight was draining out of me, replaced by a weary resignation. “Just tell me what you want and get the fuck out of my house.”
He loosened his grip slightly but didn’t release me completely. “Meech wants to see his son. This weekend. And you’re going to bring him.”
I laughed, a bitter sound that scraped my throat. “Like hell I am.”
“It wasn’t a request.” His grip tightened again, reminding me of how easily he could overpower me. “You’re bringing Yusef to visit his father this weekend. And next month, you’re going to testify at Meech’s parole hearing.”
The word “parole” hit me like a sledgehammer, and I went completely still in his grip. A cold chill ran down my spine despite his body heat against my back. Meech could be coming home soon. I needed to be in another state when that happened.I was going to have to move again, but I was so tired of running away.
“Get the fuck away from me,” I whispered, a tremor in my voice. “I’m not doing shit for Meech. Not now, not ever.”
Prime chuckled, a deep rumble I could feel vibrating against my back. “You think you have a choice? That’s cute.”
He loosened his grip just enough to spin me around, still keeping me caged against the wall. His face was inches from mine, those unsettling ocean eyes boring into me.
“It was too easy getting your routine down,” he said, his voice casual like we were discussing the weather. “You work at Grits; usually the breakfast and lunch hours, except when Larry sends you home early for not letting white ladies pet you like some zoo animal.”
My blood turned to ice. How did he?—
“When you work the morning shift, you take the 42 bus to work at 6:15 every morning. You get off at the corner of 8th and Maple, stop at the bodega for coffee—black with two sugars—and you’re at Grits by 6:45, ready for the morning crowd. Your landlord let me in yesterday when I flashed some cash and told him I was your baby daddy and wanted to surprise our son Yusef for his birthday. Nice old man, didn’t even ask questions.”
I felt my stomach drop as he continued, his voice almost bored.
“Yusef isdown the hall at Brandi’s apartment right now. 3C. They’re probably playing that video game he likes—what’s it called? Fortnite? They play it every Monday after school. Your friend Brandi seems nice. Trusting. Leaves her spare key under that fake plant by her door.”
Every word was like a knife sliding between my ribs. He knew everything. My routine. Where Yusef was. Who watched him. I felt physically sick, bile rising in my throat.
“You threatening my child?” My voice was barely audible, rage and fear making it hard to speak.
Prime’s expression hardened. “I don’t threaten children. Ever. But I am making sure you understand the situation. Meech wants to see his son. And you’re going to make that happen.”
I closed my eyes, trying to steady my breathing. This man could take Yusef. Could hurt me. Badly. I could feel the power in his body, the strength he was holding back. I’d been in enough bad situations to recognize the real thing when I saw it.
“Fine,” I whispered, defeat washing over me. “Fine. I’ll take him. Just this once.”
Prime stepped back, releasing me completely, satisfaction flashing in those ocean eyes. “Good choice.”
My legs nearly gave out when he moved away, the sudden absence of his body heat making me shiver. I wrapped my arms around myself, trying to stop the trembling.
