Confused, my eyes scanned the room. “Wh-what?”
Foe came from the dark as he lit his blunt. “Damn, Dio! You sliced this nigga up, didn’t you?”
Dio stood and grabbed my hand. “Fuck his bitch ass. He won’t be missed! Come on, Mars. Let’s go home.”
I was speechless because the man I was in love with not only killed someone in front of me but was the definition of a fucking demon.
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
Xavier said he was busy this weekend and wouldn’t be able to see me. It sucked, but it did give me time to study for my upcoming physics exam. I decided to buy a bunch of snacks and vibe out. I’d let the music play throughout my house while I sang, studied, and snacked in my t-shirt and panties. I’d just popped a piece of candy in my mouth when a phone call came in from my dad. I hit Decline and continued reviewing my work. He called me again, but this time, I answered.
“Hey, Dad. I’m studying,” I told him.
“I know, sweetheart, and it’s pretty late, but somehow Persia got out. Your mother isn’t feeling well, and I can’t get her back to the stables. The only person she will listen to is you.”
I sat up. “How the hell did that happen? I’m sorry. Can you try again? I really need to study.”
He shuffled with the phone. “Phoebe, when you ask me for—”
I rolled my eyes.Fuck!“I’m on my way.”
I hurriedly hung up with my dad, slipped into some sweats, and packed my bag. It only made sense to bring my laptop and books. Ifigured I would stay at their house for the weekend because there was no way I was driving an hour and a half to put a damn horse in the stable and come back.
I moved quickly as I left my place and headed to the countryside. Hell, Persia barely liked me, and to think I had to go chase her while it was dark outside made me want to turn around and leave her ass to roam the field. I tried calling Xavier on my way so he could keep me up, but his phone rang until it went to voicemail.
After the long drive, I finally pulled up to my parents’ home. I entered the gate and drove up the driveway.
My parents stood on the porch anxiously waiting for me to get out of the car. I hurried over to them.
“Did you get her in?”
“No, we didn’t, but I’m sure you can.”
I threw my hands up as I turned and began walking the distance toward the stable. Shit was cool to brag about having acres until you had to walk it. I turned to look back to see my parents getting in the car.
“Where are y’all going?” I yelled.
They didn’t bother to look my way. Instead, they drove off. Once I reached the stables, I spotted Persia behind the Dutch doors. “What the fuck?”
Persia responded by blowing air from her nose. “Sorry, girl, but they are weird. I—”
My words trailed off when I spotted a white canopy with lights flickering from it. Now I may have been raised with the whites, but a bitch was still Black.
“What is that?” I mumbled.
Subtle music came from it, and now I was curious. I opened the Dutch door of Persia’s stall. I clicked my tongue, pulling her out. I quickly jumped on her, and we rode out.
“Lord, please protect me,” I mumbled as the night wind rumbled in my ear.
The closer Persia and I got, I couldn’t believe it. When we reached the canopy, I hopped off Persia and stood in the opening of the tent. I threw my hands over my mouth because the inside was like heaven. It held a bed with black drapery and orange bedding; the grass was covered with plush black rugs; the lights from afar looked sparkly white, but they were mini orange lights. There was a table with orange flowers, six small black boxes, and, to the side, bottles, test tubes, a graduated cylinder, and Erlenmeyer flasks.
Xavier stood from the chair in the corner, wearing a lab coat and orange boxer briefs. A laugh fell from my belly. “I thought you were busy this weekend? And how the hell did you get my parents to agree to this?”
He shrugged. “I think your dad fucks with a nigga. You are what I’m going to be busy with this weekend. Look, little Einstein, I’m the professor today. Ease up on me, gang.”
I held one hand out and the other on my stomach. “Okay, I’m done. This is beautiful, though.”
Xavier’s smile slowly changed. “Clothes off,” he instructed me.
