“You left the Black Dahlia at both his child’s crib and his woman’s bed. I know what that stands for, Naijhel. Please don’t insult my intelligence. That’s offensive.”
“The things that I’m dealing with Clayton about are between Clayton and me. I’m a grown ass man, Del, and I don’t tell you how to handle your business. I don’t need you to tell me how to handle mine. You have nothing to say about that.”
“When it’s about me, I do.”
“I’m going to go to war for you every chance that I have.”
“It was never about me, Naijhel. It was always about you being played for the fool because he manipulated you into doingwhat he wanted you to do. You’ve been using me to get back at Clayton, and if that’s not cruel, then I don’t know what is.”
“You’ve got this all wrong. He came running to you to tell his little sob story, and you fell for it hook, line, and sinker like you have every story he’s ever told you in the past.”
“That’s not fair, Naijhel. Please tell me something for me to hold onto right now, because I don’t have anything else to go on other than those goddamn pictures that he showed me!” I snapped.
“At what point are you going to trust me and let that nigga go?” he bellowed.
“I let him go! In fact, I was going on with my life and healing before you came along and interrupted me. I never asked you to step into my life. If I recall correctly, I begged you to stay away from me. Well, I’m not begging you this time; I’m demanding that you stay the hell away from me!”
I turned to walk away, but like Clayton had earlier, Naijhel gripped my shoulder and pulled me back. He held me against his body, and I felt the warmth of his touch and the comfort of his arms as I usually did. It would be so easy to sink into them, but there was too much that I didn’t understand.
“You don’t know what you’re saying, Del. I would never use you for revenge, because I care about you. In fact, I love you.”
I tightened my shoulders, sniffed, and held my head up high. But I still couldn’t bring myself to turn around and look in his eyes. “It’s awfully convenient that you can find it in you to say it now. I spoke those words to you weeks ago, and you never acknowledged them or repeated them. I’m good on your love, Naijhel.”
“You’re making a mistake, Del.”
“No, I’m not. The only mistake that I made was trusting you. I could never be involved with a criminal, someone who’s part of the mafia. Looking over my shoulder and worrying about everylittle thing is not the type of life I want to live. I knew you were too damn good, too damn good to be true.”
“Delaney, you’re emotional and upset, but all of this can be explained.”
“Even if it could, I cannot ignore what I saw on those pictures.”
“Those pictures were exactly what they were. I would do it a thousand times over again to get one message out: I don’t play about you. You’re everything that I need, baby, and so much more. Okay, maybe I shouldn’t have handled it the way that I did, especially without consulting you, but I am who I am. I’ve never lied about that, and I can’t change who I am. You said that you loved me, Del, then show me. Accept me for the man I am.”
“Do I even know that man?” I whimpered.
“You know me, baby. You know my heart and everything else that matters. Don’t let him take that from you.”
I wanted to just accept his words, but it was so hard. I needed to clear my mind to make sure that I wasn’t repeating the mistakes of my past. It wasn’t that I believed Clayton, but I didn’t want to be a fool for Naijhel either.
I whirled around and stared at him. “This isn’t the end, but I need some time, Naijhel. Time to think without anyone in my ear,” I spoke quietly.
Someone knocked at his door, and then they opened it without bothering to wait.
“Hey, Naijhel . . . oh, I didn’t realize you had company. Hello, ma’am.”
Naijhel nodded. “Michael, this is my girlfriend, Delaney Synclair. Del, this is one of the other partners, Michael Gates.”
“Mr. Gates, it is a pleasure meeting you.”
“And you as well, Ms. Synclair. Naijhel, I’m sorry to interrupt, but we have a situation.”
“I was just leaving. You can have Naijhel all to yourself.”
I fled the office before Naijhel could speak another word. I didn’t breathe a breath of relief until I was in my car, driving away. I knew that I couldn’t stay at home tonight, because he would show up. Of that, I had no doubt. I would need to hide out at Aria’s place until I cleared my mind.
18
NAIJHEL
