“Now, I have to take his. I’m trying to spare you and not bring any more harm your way, but if you end up in the wrong place at the wrong time, I won’t be able to look the other way.” Leaning against my window, Hamilton lowered his voice when he added, “Stay away from The Wilted Roses. Stay away from Wicked. I won’t be able to spare you beyond today.”
When he walked away, the rest of his men followed. I knew I needed to get out of traffic, but I was shaking so bad I also knew I didn’t need to drive. By the time I made it near the exit, Wicked was pulling onto the interstate on the wrong side of the street, and I’d never been so happy to see his crazy ass breaking the law. Instantly, my body felt safe. I calmed down as my tears fell. Pulling over onto the side of the road, I cut off my car as two more motorcycles flew in behind him.
Wicked swerved and parked, then ran over to me. He slung the door open and pulled me into his arms. Cupping my cheeks, he looked my face over intently.
“Are you okay? Did they touch you?”
My head shook as my tears continued to fall. “No. He . . . he warned me. He said he was sparing me because what Mario didwas wrong but that if I hung around you or The Wilted Roses, he wouldn’t be able to spare me anymore. What’s going on, Wicked? Because it’s starting to feel like this is bigger than us.”
Wicked’s eyes darkened as his jaw clenched. He licked the corner of his mouth as Sonny and Cole walked over to us.
“Can you drive?”
His question caught me so off guard, it took me a second to respond. “Yes, I think so.”
“Drive to your place, and I’ll follow you. We can talk there.”
“Okay,” I agreed before getting back in the car.
He talked to his friends for a few seconds before going to his bike. With all three of them following behind, I drove home. When we arrived, the other two men drove away while Wicked pulled into my garage. I could tell by his expression that he was still upset, and I had no idea how our conversation was about to play out.
Silently, Wicked followed me into my home. He searched the whole place, making sure no one was inside before taking my hand and leading me into the living room. Instead of sitting next to me, he paced in front of me.
I knew.
Even without him saying it, I knew.
“This has to end,” he said. “I didn’t get out to put you in danger, Jelai. I can protect you, but I can’t be everywhere at all times, and if something were to happen to you and I not be able to get to you, I’d burn this whole fucking city down before I killed my own damn self.”
I gritted my teeth to keep my tears from falling as he continued. “You were right, there is more to the war between us and them, but I don’t have all the details. Whatever happened, it happened while I was gone, and my pops won’t tell me. Maybe Chris will tell you. Either way, it’s been brewing since before Igot out, and me getting out is going to be like a volcano erupting. I don’t want you in the way of that.”
“You’re giving up on me already?” I almost whispered. “I just got you, baby.”
His armor cracked, and he gave me a soft smile as he kneeled in front of me. “I’d rather do anything else, but I can’t risk your safety, bae. That goes against who I am as a man. If I felt like we could be together without you having a target on your back, I’d be all for that, but I’m not going to risk your life just to have you in mine.”
Afraid my voice would crack if I spoke, I nodded and brushed away two tears. Avoiding his eyes, I looked at the wall as he said, “I’m sorry, bae.” All I could do was nod again. When he leaned forward and kissed my cheek, my eyes closed, and more tears fell. Wicked kissed them away, then stood to leave.
I didn’t know how long I’d been frozen in place before my doorbell rang. Slowly, I made my way to the door. When I looked out of the peephole, I sighed. I’d completely forgotten that I was supposed to talk to Chris tonight. Forcing a smile, I opened the door and let him in.
“Hey, Chris,” I spoke as he pulled me in for a hug.
“Hey, GD. I was worried when you didn’t answer my call.”
“Sorry I . . . My phone is still in my car I think.”
His brows wrinkled and eyes squinted as he looked me over while I closed the door. “What happened to you?”
Smiling bitterly, I shook my head, then headed toward the living room. “Nothing. I just, I wanted to ask you something.”
“Sure. What’s up?”
I waited until we were seated to ask, “Why are TWR and The Outlaws at war? I know it’s more than just me and Wicked and what happened to Mario. What is it?”
He ran his hands up and down his thighs as he sighed. “Why do you ask, Jelai?”
“Hmm . . . maybe because they boxed me in on the expressway and told me they were done sparing me, and that if they caught me near Wicked or anyone else in TWR that I’d basically meet the same fate as them.”
“What!” he roared, leaping from his seat. “Who? I want you to come down to the station and point out every last motherfucker who was there.”
