“We’re here. Do you still have to pee?”
“Do you know how he got into your apartment?” Rue asked.
“He must have picked the lock because I had to unlock the door to get inside.”
“Where were you coming from so early?” Daisy asked suspiciously.
“That’s a story for later.”
Russell brought me back toThe Compoundand took me to his house. After cleaning my face and forcing me to hold a bag ofice against it, he ran me a bubble bath. Although he sat with me in the bathroom, I could tell his mind was elsewhere.
When I finished soaking, he showered with me, helping me wash my hair and bathe. Once that was done, he literally fed me a bowl of tomato soup and a grilled cheese sandwich, made sure I was comfortable in his bed, told my sisters to come and sit with me, kissed my forehead, and left.
All five of my sisters surrounded me on Russell’s king-size bed. It was rare for us to all be together at once these days, especially since Sage and Violet were in their second and first year at Onyx City University and staying on campus.
“Russ called the apartment manager to get the security footage pulled. I’m not sure if he ever got back to him because the information Officer Downing had was enough for them to find you,” Daisy said.
“Melvin called him while I was in the truck with him. He didn’t get a hold of anyone at the security company, but I found out Russell paid my rent for the whole year, and Melvin has been taking my rent payments and giving them to Russell.”
“Oh! That’s why he had Melvin on speed dial,” Blossom said.
“Yeah. I wouldn’t be surprised if he had a key to my place, but none of that matters now,” I said.
“I still can’t believe two of my sisters have been kidnapped. It’s like we’re living in a thriller or suspense miniseries,” Sage said.
“Our lives weren’t nearly this exciting before Rocky and Russ came on the scene. I mean, not that getting kidnapped is exciting. I’m not trying to glorify it. I’m just?—”
“We get it, Violet, and you’re right; being kidnapped is serious and scary as hell. I’ve never been more afraid in my life, but I knew Rocky would burn this city down to save me, and Russell was prepared to do the same for Rose,” Rue said.
“Rose has always said that she wanted a man who would break another man’s neck over her. I’m sure Preston’s days are numbered, and he’ll have more than a broken neck when Russ is done with him.”
“Are you and Russ back together?” Sage asked.
“That’s a good question,” Blossom said.
“Is that what you wanted to meet with us about this morning?” Rue asked.
“Wait. What meeting?” Violet questioned.
“A meeting without us, apparently,” Sage said with an attitude.
I loved my sisters, but when all of us got together, it could become overwhelming. After the day I’d had, I wasn’t sure how much more stimulation I could handle.
“Calm down, and I’ll tell you what you want to know,” I said.
“We’re listening,” Blossom said.
“Me and Russell hooked up last night at the gala, in his office,” I confessed.
Everyone was surprised except for Rue.
“They disappeared for thirty minutes and came back looking disheveled but satisfied. Rose’s lipstick was smeared, and some of it was on Russell’s shirt,” Rue added.
“Oh my God. This is too much for my young ears,” Violet said as she covered her ears.
“Not mine. Continue, please,” Sage urged.
“Well, Preston was my date, and he suspected something was up. He confronted me as we left, and Russell and Gayle weren’t far behind us. When Preston raised his voice, Russell handled him,” I told them.
