“You heard what I said, Wicked. The next time I see you around here, I might forget what Prez said.”
“I’ll see you then,” I decided. My eyes shifted toward the window, landing on Jelai.
Her eyes were watery, face showing every ounce of fear in her body.
I shot her a wink to let her know I was okay, and she smiled, clutching her chest. I noticed Hamilton look in her direction, and that was the only thing that kept me from immediately putting my helmet on.
“I’ll do you worse than I did your nephew if you eventhinkabout going near her.”
He tried to lunge toward me, but his men held him back. I was cool with that. At this point, I was sure we’d see each other again, and I’d be prepared. All I knew was he’d better not go anywhere near Jelai, or he was going to be in hell with the nephew he was trying to avenge.
“That was intense,” Yana said, standing next to me.
I felt like I wasn’t able to breathe until I saw Wicked ride away peacefully. Just that fast, what I feared almost happened. Initially, I wasn’t sure how much truth there was to Chris’s warnings. He’d told me The Outlaws were gunning for Wicked because of what happened, but a naïve part of me hoped they’d let it go. Seeing them taunt him made this shit real for me, and what was worse, was the fact that I felt partially responsible.
Yes, Mario would still be alive if he hadn’t tried to rape and prostitute me, but still. Wicked took his life because of me, and even though I’d forgiven myself for even entertaining Mario, times like this brought that guilt back all over again. What I didn’t understand was why Hamilton or any of the otherOutlaws hadn’t done anything to me over the years. If they wanted someone to pay for what happened to Mario, why hadn’t they targeted me?
“Tell me about it,” I muttered, pulling my phone out of my apron to text Chris.
Me:
Hey. Can you call me if it’s not too late when you get off today?
I didn’t expect him to respond right away, so I put my phone back in my apron before shooing the nosy customers away from the window. Yana helped me clear the space before asking, “What was Wicked doing here anyway?”
My face twisted before I could stop myself from feeling defensive. “What do you mean? It’s a free country. The man can eat wherever he wants to eat.”
She sucked her teeth. “I know that. I’m just saying. You’d think once he saw you that he would’ve left. He spent his whole sentence ignoring you just to invade your space? That’s weird as hell.”
I sighed, wanting to tell her me and Wicked were past that. I still hadn’t told her or Ashley about what had happened between us, and now, I was starting to feel like I had no choice.
“Look, Wicked and I have talked and come to an agreement. I don’t want to tell just you and then have to tell Ashley too, so why don’t we make plans for the weekend?”
She eyed me skeptically before her lips spread into a grin. “You fucked that man . . . didn’t you?”
I damn near choked on my spit, causing her to laugh. “Whoa. Where did that come from?”
“You walked in here glowing, and you had that freshly fucked walk. I saw the pep in your step, boo. I’d planned to ask youabout it when we took our break, but now it’s starting to make sense. You fucked him!”
“Will you lower your voice?” I pleaded, gripping her wrist. “But if you must know . . . yes.”
When she yelled, I covered her mouth with the palm of my hand and whispered, “Yana!” loudly.
She hopped from one foot to the other, her laugh muffled behind my hand.
“Ooh, I’m telling! I don’t know who I’m telling, but I’m telling! Chile, you finally got that man after all these years?”
I gave up the fight to stifle her excitement and laughed. “Yes, and it was so worth the wait, Yana. Not just because the sex was the best I’ve ever had, but we have an amazing connection already. It feels like we’ve been together forever. I’m so happy with him, and I don’t want anyone ruining this, so you have to keep this between us.”
“For how long?” she whined, stomping her foot. “You know I can’t keep a secret.”
“Oh God,” I groaned, palming my forehead. “Don’t tell Ma or Ashley. Let me tell them first, then you and Ashley can gossip about me all you want.”
“Deal!” she said excitedly, making me laugh at her silly ass.
When my phone vibrated, I pulled it out, hoping it was Chris.
Goddaddy:
