“Ma, it’s not that. Not this time. I promise.” Again, Asako cringed and felt bad. The two years of her life where she got caught up running the streets, getting high, and submerging herself into the world that introduced her to Vega and locked her under Patterson’s control had stressed her parents. They lost a lot of sleep at night not knowing where she was and if she was safe, not to mention the times she was around them and they witnessed how badly she had fallen because of the drugs. After she got clean and they admitted their true feelings of the struggle she caused, Asako promised to never do that to her parents again, and now here she was, but for different reasons. She was doing this for them so they wouldn’t lose everything they worked for, or even worse, suffer the devastation of losing their only child because surely she would die if she didn’t follow through. Patterson had already made that clear. He promised to make her suffer one way or another, whether that be by ruining her life, her parents, or losing her life. Neither was a reality Asako wanted to face.
“Sweetheart, I promise you can talk to me. No matter what,” her mother pleaded, which only made things worse.
“I’m fine, I love you. Tell Dad I love him too and I’ll see you guys soon.”
She ended the call, shoving her phone under her pillow as she tucked her arm under it as well and pressed her head further into it. Closing her eyes, she prayed for a peaceful sleep knowing the days ahead of her were going to be complicated. One way or another she had to make East trust her enough to let her in. She just didn’t have a clue how to make that happen, so for now, she was going to sleep and worry about it in the morning.
22
“What do you want?” Nyelle narrowed her eyes at Vega the second she locked her door and turned to find him heading her way. She couldn’t help but admire how sexy he looked in the dirty washed gray jeans he wore along with a matching gray pocket tee. His outfit was simple, but on him, it looked sexy and exclusive.
“I want to see you.”
“Okay you see me, now what?” Nyelle fired back, unable to control the irritation mixed with disappointment she felt. Vega had promised to see her the night before and after the explosive situation between her, Vega, and Reese, she was looking forward to it. They needed to figure things out because she was falling for him and had to be sure she was moving in the right direction. However, after he disappeared on her, didn’t respond to texts, or answer calls, she was beginning to question things. Just that quickly her guard was up again and she was pushing him away.
“Come on, Pretty Ny, don’t do me like that. I know I promised to kick it with you last night, but a few things came up and?—"
Nyelle rolled her eyes, holding up her hand to halt his explanation. He wasn’t hers, so he didn’t owe her anything. She had, however, decided that his disappearing act was proof she needed to slow things down a little between them. The problem was she didn’t know how. Even now, standing close to him, filled with disappointment, she was weak. He was so sexy and smelled so damn good that her will was crumbling by the second.
“You don’t owe me shit. So don’t waste your lie. I’m late for work.” Sucking in a deep breath, knowing it would be a challenge for her to make it past him, Nyelle started moving. Just as she suspected, Vega put up a fight for her presence and time by cutting off her path. With quick hands, he spun her around, forcing her back against the wall and holding her hostage with his body blocking any chance of a quick escape.
“I do owe you and I wasn’t about to lie. Some shit really came up, plus my mood was all fucked up because I ran into my father at my brother’s place. As much as I wanted to see you, I didn’t want to bring that negative energy to you.”
Nyelle was quick to debate him but decided to hold her tongue. He seemed sincere, and as much as she knew men lied, she had dealt with a man who lied for years. Vega had proven to be a man of his word, so she couldn’t make him pay for another man’s faults.
“You could have at least answered my calls to tell me that.” Vega felt like shit because she sounded disappointed, but her voice wasn’t the issue, he could damn near feel it.
“You’re right. I should have but I’m still figuring this shit out. I’m not used to caring about anyone’s feelings but my own, and last night, mine were all fucked up. Let me make it up to you.”
“Maybe later. I have to go. I’m late.”
“Nah, not later, now. Can’t you miss one day? I know your professional ass probably got perfect attendance or some shitlike that. I’m sure you have sick time or personal days or something.”
Nyelle rolled her eyes with a smile. “Jobs don’t give perfect attendance.”
“Maybe not but you would get that shit if they did, wouldn’t you?”
The grin that filled her face was his answer. It was true. With the support of her mother, Nyelle hardly ever missed work. If it was an issue with Nick, her mom stepped up so she didn’t have to miss work. Nyelle was the type to suffer through anything, so even on her worst days, she managed to show up even if she had to struggle through the day.
“That’s what I thought. Call and tell them you’re not coming. You’re with me today. I have to put a smile on that pretty face of yours.” Vega leaned toward Nyelle, lifting her chin at the same time. Once her face was angled to his, he pressed a kiss to her lips, softly at first but then he eased his tongue into her mouth to make his point.
“I’m supposed to be at work in less than an hour. It’s last minute.”
“So what? Shit happens last minute. Tell them it’s an emergency.” Vega’s forehead wrinkled as his face eased into a slight grimace.
“It’s not an emergency.”
“You sure? Because it damn sure feels like one to me.” Vega pressed his body against Nyelle’s, exposing her to the reaction his body was currently experiencing. Had his plan been to pull up for sex? No, and he wouldn’t press the issue, but he did want her to know how much he missed her and that she had him at a disadvantage, emotionally and physically. Right now, Vega wanted her time.
“I’m sure explaining that as my emergency would cost me my job.” Vega smirked through a muffled laugh.
“Just call. I want to spend time with you.”
Groaning through her indecisiveness, Nyelle dialed her job and requested the time off. She was informed they were slow and could manage with the other techs on staff and it wasn’t an issue, given the fact that she never missed work. That eased her mind a little, and after she finished her call, she gave Vega her attention.
“IguessI’m all yours.” She tried not to smile but the anticipation of spending the day with him alone had totally revised her mood.
“Indeed, you are. No guessing to that shit, Pretty Ny. Let’s ride.”
