“I’m sorry, baby.”
I wasn’t sorry at all. I’d listened to Aviana endlessly talk about that job, pretending to be supportive while quietly hoping she wouldn’t get it. The last thing I needed was her gaining too much confidence, feeling powerful, or realizing she could actually succeed without me. Sure, more money from her meant less pressure on me, but it wasn’t worth the risk of her outgrowing me—or worse, deciding she deserved better.
I wasn’t about to let her outgrow me or us.
“Honestly, I wanted that job, but only because it was my only choice. It wasn’t my dream job, though. I want to go backto school,” she whined. “I’m thirty. I need a real career. I want to finally apply for nursing school.”
My jaw tightened. “That’s going to take so much time and energy away from us.” I sounded disappointed, just enough to make her second-guess herself. “What about finally having a baby? You’re really going to wait four years of school until you’re almost thirty-five to have a child?”
She blew an irritated breath, but I cut off any response she was about to have.
“I mean, seriously. By the time you’re done, who knows what’ll happen? You’ll probably be too busy for anything else. Is this really about school, or is it just another excuse to avoid finally having a baby with me?”
“I’m not avoiding anything, Damar,” she protested softly.
“Then why do you always need something else? We’re good as we are. You know I support you, but nursing school? Sounds like you just want reasons to avoid growing our family.”
When she fell silent, I knew I’d planted that tiny seed of doubt. I couldn’t let her grow past me. If she did, she might realize she deserved better, and I couldn’t risk that.
“I just want you here—with me,” I whispered gently, like I was offering comfort instead of control. “Is that so wrong? My business is doing great, baby. I can take care of us. Let’s focus on me putting a baby in you sooner than later so that you can go to school in a few years.”
“So that I can struggle with studying and taking care of our home with a child, Damar?”
“Baby—”
“I have to go,” she quipped with irritation. “I’ll see you at home later.”
As she abruptly ended the call, I could feel my hold on her slipping. The more independent she became, the less I could control her, and control was the only way I knew how to keep her close. It made me want to tighten my grip and remind her who she belonged to until she never forgot it.
CHAPTER 4
MYTHIC GREY
TWO WEEKS LATER,I was standing in the mirror, sliding on a tailored designer tee. I was getting ready to check out this condo Aviana swore was perfect for me. But to be real, I wasn’t all that eager to see the place. What had me hyped was seeing her. Aviana had been on my mind a lot lately, and today was another excuse to be in her presence.
I reached over to my jewelry display stand, pulled out my gold chain, and slipped it around my neck. It was hot out, so I kept it simple with a white shirt, tailored jeans, and crisp, white sneakers. I grabbed my watch, slid it on my wrist, and gave myself one last look in the mirror.
As I left the bedroom and headed downstairs, I heard her voice before I even got to the steps. Lelani’s mother, Rachel, was downstairs, making my mood instantly change.
Rachel despised me. That woman had been a thorn in my side from the day I met her. As soon as Lelani introduced me to her, Rachel saw through the front of me being merely a nightclub owner. She saw me as a gangster and criminal, both of which wasn’t good enough for her daughter. But the truth was she wasjust jealous. She was a bitter, older single woman who never had a man take care of her the way I took care of Lelani.
I made my way downstairs, hearing their voices get louder as I approached the living room.
Lelani was ruffling through her purse. Rachel was perched on the edge of the couch as if she were waiting on Lelani.
Rachel barely looked at me when I walked in. She gave me a quick, dismissive hello that dripped with her usual coldness.
I scoffed, shaking my head as I looked at her, then turned to Lelani. “I’m heading out. I’ll be back later.” I leaned down, pulling Lelani close and kissing her slowly.
Lelani smiled up at me, but Rachel shifted in her seat, clearly annoyed. That was the reaction I was looking for. I gave Lelani one more kiss, then straightened up and shot Rachel a quick glance before heading out the door.
AVIANA SCOTT
As I led Mythic through the lavish penthouse on 21st and Indiana, my heart raced with longing and anxiety. Being in this intimate space with him ignited a familiar ache in my core. But I pushed the thoughts aside, focusing instead on the tour.
“Check out this view, Mythic,” I said, eagerly gesturing toward the floor-to-ceiling windows that framed the sprawling cityscape below. “It’s one of the best views in the city.”
I was proud to show him this place. It was just like him—stylish, sleek, and dripping with swag.
