“Where are you taking me?” I asked when I realized we weren’t headed toward my apartment community.
“Home.”
“Umm, I live in the other direction.”
“Your home is with me, Rose.”
“Russell—”
“That nigga might be on some bullshit, so I want you to stay with me tonight, just in case.”
“He’s not?—”
“If I hadn’t shown up when I did, he would’ve put his hands on you. Don’t tell me what he won’t do, because you don’t even know his ass like that.”
I sighed but didn’t argue with him. I didn’t think Preston was crazy enough to be waiting for me at my apartment, but Russell had a point.
“Fine, but can we still hold off on having our conversation until tomorrow?”
“If that’s what you want.”
“I don’t have any clothes.”
“You won’t need them.”
My eyes were already on him, and he quickly glanced at me and winked. The way my body betrayed me didn’t make any sense. My nipples hardened, and my pussy thumped as I anticipated what he would do to my body tonight.
The last time I’d been in Russell’s home was a year ago, and I’d missed being surrounded by all things him—his aura, his scent, and the random items he didn’t put in their proper place. I missed everything.
As soon as we stepped inside, it felt as if the year we’d been apart never happened. Although I didn’t want to talk, our bodiescommunicated what needed to be said . . . We were meant for each other.
We were each other’s happy place, and that couldn’t be denied, but there was something about me that Russell didn’t know that could change everything. He deserved to know, but I’d been afraid to tell him. It was time I faced my fears, but I needed some love from my sisters first.
I had five sisters, and Rue was the oldest, followed by me, Daisy, Blossom, Sage, and Violet. Seven years ago, when I was almost eighteen, our parents were killed while on my father’s motorcycle. Someone in a pickup truck ran them off the road and was never found.
Rue took custody of us and assumed the motherly role, although she was only twenty-one. Had she not, we would’ve been placed into the system, and none of us wanted that. We were already close, but coping with such a tragic situation made us even closer.
When Rue and Rocky got married, they bought a house big enough for both our families, which included my sisters, Rue’s son, Briar, and Roman Jr., Rocky and Russell’s nephew, who they’d gained custody of after their younger brother died from pneumonia, and their grandparents, Mama and Papa Rush.
On top of that, Rue and Rocky’s daughter, Bliss, was born not long after we moved in. At one point, there were thirteen of us living on the property that we’d affectionately namedThe Compound, but Russell was lucky enough to live in the in-law suite in the back of the property, and it wasn’t connected to the main house and had its own entrance.
The basement was set up like a three-bedroom apartment, so Daisy, Blossom, and I shared that space. As crazy as it sounded, everyone seemed to love our arrangement, including me. The only reason I moved into my own apartment was because I couldn’t stand being so close to Russell after we ended things.
I eased out of bed and eased open one of the drawers where I kept some of my clothes, and to my surprise, they were still there. After quietly dressing, I washed my face, then brushed my teeth with a new toothbrush I’d found under the sink.
On the way to the door, I grabbed my purse and phone. Before leaving, I slid into a pair of my slides that were in the same place I’d left them a year ago and quietly left. It was early, so everyone at the main house was probably asleep, but I still looked around cautiously as I headed to the end of the driveway.
I’d already requested a ride on the rideshare app, and I saw a car pull up as I neared the gate. I quickened my steps, and less than a minute later, I slid into the back seat, releasing the breath it seemed I’d been holding for the past few minutes.
“Good morning!” the female driver greeted excitedly.
“Good morning.”
It was too early for conversation, and I had too much on my mind to engage in small talk. She must have felt my vibe because the next time she spoke, we were in front of my apartment building.
“Here you go. Have a great day.”
“Thank you. You too.”
