After a moment, I sighed, feeling the tension in my chest ease slightly. “Okay,” I finally said. “I’ll get ready.”
“Good. I’ll be there soon,” he replied, a hint of relief washing over his face.
Mythic had taken me to Reggie’s on the Beach. The restaurant sat right on the lakefront. The sound of the waves gently lapping against the shore was like a soothing balm for my troubled soul. As I took a deep breath, the smell of grilled seafood mixed with the fresh breeze. The salty air kissed my skin. Listening to the waves allowed a calm that I had been yearning for to wash over me. For the first time in days, I felt a bit of peace.
Sitting across from Mythic, I watched as he ordered our drinks with an admiring smirk. His confident demeanor made me feel at ease. The way he moved, the way he spoke brought a sense of comfort I always needed.
“Thanks for bringing me here,” I said, smiling into his eyes.
A hint of a smile tugged at his cocky yet sexy smirk. “I had to make sure you had a happy birthday, even with everything that has happened. You deserve it, Avi.”
I could feel the tension in my chest slowly dissipating. The sun was beginning to set, painting the sky in shades of orange and pink, and I wished that every day could be this easy, this beautiful. For a moment, the worries about Jeremy and Damar faded into the background, and I let myself enjoy the moment.
As we waited for our drinks, Mythic reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, neatly wrapped box.
“What’s this?” I asked, eyeing it suspiciously as he handed it to me.
“Just a little something for your birthday.”
My heart raced with curiosity as I opened the box carefully. A delicate diamond necklace lay inside. A small charm shaped like a wave hung from it.
I gasped, my fingers brushing over it. “My God, Mythic. This is beautiful.”
“I figured you could use a reminder of how calming the waves can be,” he said, his voice low, “especially with everything you’ve been through lately.”
I felt a swell of emotion rise within me. “It’s perfect. Thank you so much.” I looked up at him, genuinely touched by his thoughtfulness. For a guy like him, so gritty and tough, it was impressive how well he understood me and what I needed. Staring at it, I told him, “This was so thoughtful. You didn’t have to do this.”
He shrugged, a hint of pride in his smile. “Yes, I did. I have to show my appreciation for the finer things.”
As we sat across from each other, the silence between us felt smothering, like it was holding on to all the words neither of us dared to say. Mythic’s eyes were filled with the same longing and love that always had me caught up. His gaze was deep, searching mine like he could see straight into my soul, and my heart was racing, pulling me toward him even though I knew I shouldn’t. I couldn’t ignore how he made me feel, like I was the only one in the room, like I was seen, loved, and completely his, even when I knew the reality of my life was pulling me in another direction.
Finally, I tore my eyes away, desperate to gather my composure and the ability to speak again. “You managed to make me smile today. Thank you.”
He leaned back in his chair with a satisfied grin spreading across his face. “That was the plan.”
CHAPTER 14
DAMAR SCOTT
BEING IN THEchurch was so damn suffocating. The pews were filled with Jeremy’s friends and family. Their faces were engraved with sorrow. At the end of the row, Stephanie was wailing. Her high-pitched screams stabbed through the air like a knife. She was wrapped in the arms of her boyfriend and father. Both of them tried to hold her together while she fell apart.
Sitting there staring at Jeremy’s casket, I still couldn’t wrap my head around the fact that all of this had spiraled from messing around with Mia. I would’ve never thought one choice would end with me murdering not just Mia, but my own flesh and blood too. But it wasn’t my fault. If Mia had just been cool, none of this would have happened. And all Jeremy had to do was mind his business and be obedient, and he’d still be alive.
For days, I’d waited to feel remorseful, but all I felt was irritation with Jeremy for forcing my hand. He’d left me no choice.
It hurt to lose my son, but he’d brought this on himself. If he’d stayed in his lane, he’d still be breathing. Instead, he’d made a decision that cost him his life. I didn’t put him in that coffin—his own choices did.
Luckily, Jeremy’s association with the 111 Boyz hid what I had done. His death had been immediately linked to the streets. Though his homies insisted that his murder couldn’t have been related to their crew, Stephanie and our families assumed that Jeremy was killed because of his association with them—or the streets had gotten to our child.
Comforting everyone had been the greatest act I had ever pulled off. I offered my condolences, cried with them, and wrapped my arms around those who needed support. I could see the pain in their eyes, feel their despair, and yet I was the one who had caused this tragedy.
As I glanced around the church, my eyes landed on Mythic sitting nearby with Lelani. Every time I looked at him, I felt myself about to explode.
When Aviana told me she’d stepped out with Mythic for her birthday, I had been consumed with the going through her phone ever since. I could hardly focus on anything else. Each message I read only pissed me off more. Things still seemed friendly between them, but I could feel the tension in each message they sent each other. She repeatedly thanked him for the necklace he had given her, which she hadn’t mentioned to me.
The first time she was hiding something from me related to Mythic. It felt like the start of what I had been fearing all along. And I refused to let Mythic win my woman. I had a right to Aviana, and I was determined to keep her. The way he was always around felt like an insult. He was a constant challenge that taunted me to prove myself worthy ofmywife.
Every time I caught a glimpse of him, the territorial instinct in me flared up. I wanted to confront him, to lay down the law and remind him that Aviana was mine, but I couldn’t do that without revealing my own secrets. Instead, I simmered in my frustration and forced myself to focus on the service while stewing in anger.
