“You know what I’m talking about, and I’m warning you. Leave that criminal alone, or you will be in prison right along with him. You know better than anyone what those types of men are capable of, yet you are still giving him what belongs to me.”
“Belongs to you? A married man? You are really sick in the head. You know that?”
A sharp laugh slipped out of his mouth.
“How baby?”
“You can’t claim me when you have a wife.”
“Why not? I’m not even claiming my wife, and you know that. The only reason we are together is because of,”
“Because of Deja and Xavier, yet those two would still be your kids even if you left your wife, so stop the excuses. You are a lawyer. You know there are ways to protect your money and improve your life. You are with your wife because you want your cake and to eat it too. Don’t get mad because other people are now getting a slice of this cake that you left out on the counter.”
“So that is what you are calling sleeping with him? Giving him a slice of your cake. Come on, Abria. You have a college education. Be smarter than this.”
I scoffed and walked off, but he followed right behind me.
“I’m telling you this because I care about you. You might not want to believe it, but your name is going to get caught up in some shit. And when it does, I won’t be there to help you. I won’t bail you out.”
“You don’t have to. I can bail myself out. I’m a damn good lawyer, whether you or any other dick head want to believe it.”
I started to walk away again.
“Well, what about Orlando?”
I stopped and turned around.
“Why are you bringing up my brother, Marcus?”
“Because I know that he is up for parole again soon. Isn’t that right?”
“Orlando is up for parole every two years around this time. What’s new?”
“What’s new is him getting out this time could be an option if you had the right friends on your side.”
I started back toward him slowly, eyes locked on his.
“Marcus, you’ve been on my side this whole time my brother’s been in jail and not once have you been able to help him get out. How the fuck would you be able to do it now?”
“Because I’m me, and I have power beyond your knowledge. Look, just because I didn’t choose to use it before doesn’t mean I can’t use it now. But understand, I’m not using it for anybody fucking a criminal and cutting me off before I can get my shit together at home.”
“So you are trying to say that if I start fucking you again, you’ll help my brother get out of jail? Wow.”
“Don't say wow, it's a good thing.”
“Good that you are a crooked prosecutor? Who else have you gotten off in exchange for sex?”
He grabbed my wrist and pulled me closer to him. I flinched and tried to pull back, but he was six feet, two hundred and twenty pounds, so he was much stronger than I was.
“Listen, Abria. It’s not just about sex with you. It never has been. Me and you go together like hot chocolate and marshmallows. There’s no one else on this earth I can talk to about court cases, policies, hearings, judges, and the frustrations of the shit we do like I can with you. My wife and I can’t talk about any of it. She doesn’t understand anything but what to cook, and how to set a fucking table.”
“Marcus, you married her. You made children with her. You loved her. Don’t let what me and you had distract you from that. And I say the word had, because we don’t have anything anymore. Now please, leave me alone.”
I walked away from him.
“You are going to regret it. I’m telling you now, you are going to regret it.”
He tried to sound stern, but he wasn’t moving me at all.
