Laughing at Stacy’s words, I couldn’t help but agree. JJ was, in fact, a maniac, but he was mine. I knew he was a little crazy but being crazier about me is what made me love him the most.
One of thethings I’d learned over the years is that old habits don’t easily die; they learn restraint.
Sitting across from Grove’s Café, I settled into my seat as I twirled Kimbo between my fingers. It was a cold winter day, the wind bitter and crisp. I was finally headed back to work after being off for a few days, but before I headed in, I had to make a pit stop.
“What are you doing, Bloss Baby?” I watched Blossom as she smiled and waltzed into the coffee shop. “What did you sneak out of the house for this morning?”
Finding out that Blossom was carrying my child was the happiest moment of my life. When I told her I was going to love her and protect them both with my life, I meant that. I movedher into my home, and we’d been living in bliss since. She was meant to be a mother, a wife, and I was bound to make that happen. But I expected complete honesty from my wife, so if she was going to be trusted, some of her ways would have to change.
Like this sneaking around shit. It feels deceitful as fuck.
Ding!
The chime sounded on the door as I stepped into the café, my eyes landing on her immediately. Her back was turned to me, but as she talked to Scotlynn, I saw the moment she felt my presence. Stepping behind her, I placed my hand on her waist, causing her to jolt slightly. I gripped her waistline firmly, my dick jumping at how the baby was filling out her curves. Scotlyn said nothing, eyeing us as my hand trailed to her small belly before snaking its way up her chest.
“I can feel your heart racing,” I whispered in her ear. Placing my hand on her throat, I gave it a firm squeeze. “Are you nervous?”
“N-No,” she stuttered, lying, before leaning into my touch. “You can’t be on me like this. I have a man.”
My chest rumbled from quiet laughter as I traced my fingers along her neck. “What the fuck that nigga got to do with me?” Flashbacks of us meeting months prior in this same setting crossed my mind. “Is?—”
“Y-Yes,” she moaned, panting as I placed kisses along her neck and jaw. “Please.” She turned and faced me, eyes full of lust. “What are you going to do to me?”
Smirking, I placed a kiss on her lips, grabbing her wrist that held the Iced Coffee. Closing her eyes, she got lost in the kiss, not noticing when I took it from her. “I’m going to spank your ass and lock you in the house for a fuckin’ week the next time you drink this shit after the doctor told you not to.”
“Oop!” Scotlyn snickered as Blossom popped her eyes open. “I know that’s fuckin’ right!”
Frowning, she snatched her Danish from the counter, giving the barista her middle finger as she made her way out the door. Chuckling, I followed behind her, making sure she made it to her car.
“You’re an asshole!” She hissed as she stomped her mad ass down the sidewalk. “Not to mention dramatic.”
“Well, excuse me for making sure you don’t give my baby the jitters with all that sugary-ass shit. I should have known you were up to something this morning when you got up. The way you sucked the skin off my dick?—”
“Shut up, JJ!” she yelled, speedwalking up to me and grabbing my lips. She looked around and gave tight-lipped smiles to the people who looked at us as they passed by. “You’re insane.”
“I am.” I cheesed, pecking her lips. “Seriously, you know the doctor told you to lay off that shit. I just want to make sure you and the baby stay healthy, Bloss Baby. Can you do right for me?”
After promising me that she would stop drinking the sugar-loaded drinks, we talked for a few more minutes before I helped her into her car. She informed me that Marshall was coming by her job later to close on the home she’d shown him, and I was happy for her. My baby was great at what she did, and I would support her in any way I could. I told her when she was ready, we could begin to search for our forever home, but she said she was content with living in mine for now. Her house was pending to sell, and she wanted that to be over before she started looking for something else.
After following behind her to her building, it took me no time to get to the medical examiner’s office. Things had been a little quiet lately, with everyone still mourning Sheena. Unlike some of my other coworkers, I’d been coping just fucking fine.
Swish!
“Good morning, Dr. McKnight,” Captain Young greeted me as I walked into the lab. “It’s amazing how I’m always catching you just in time.”
“Makes me think you’re following me.” I arched my brow, causing him to chuckle. “You want me to bring in a desk from upstairs? Seems to me you’re going to make coming to the Ice Hotel a habit.”
“I guarantee you, this is the last time, for a while.” He tapped his chin as he thought about it. “Well, at least I hope so. I just wanted to come in and tell you we’ve hit a snag in the cases against Mr. Hines. Troopers in Alabama declared him deceased in a highway crash a week ago. We had his remains sent here for Dr. Massey to analyze. He’s confirmed it was him.”
As I listened to Captain Young explain the findings, I crossed my arms and kept my face neutral. Before dumping TJ to go swimming with the piranhas, I collected enough teeth and DNA to use for the positive identification of someone’s body in a planned fiery car crash. I knew his being missing wouldn’t work for the city of Milly Grove, so I asked Marshall for his connections to pull off a fake death. Marshall knew people who knew people who assisted us in making that happen. I knew that once it was said that TJ had died, his “body” would’ve been sent here. I also knew Dr. Massey would be the one to conduct the testing since I had some less-than-favorable history with TJ. Many victims and their families wouldn’t get the justice they deserved, but I’d gotten it for my family, and I didn’t regret my decision. Letting TJ live through a trial and possibly win and become a free man again was not happening on my watch. That nigga had to die for all he’d done to me and mine.
“Seems to me he got off easy.” I shrugged, stepping past him. “I’m sure my sister will sleep better at night knowing he’s burning in hell.”
“I’m sure she will, son.” He slapped my shoulder before walking toward the door. “I want to thank you again for the good job that you do with the department. I know it’s not always easy, but know we appreciate you.”
Giving him a nod, I watched him walk out of the lab before I went in search of Dr. Massey. Usually, he would be waiting for me with orders or a fresh body on the slab. Rounding the corner where our lockers were, I found him sitting in his office.
“What’s up, old man?” I tapped on his door, causing him to jump. “How you doing?”
