“Josie, the night is still young. Plus I had to make sure you made it home in one piece since you decided to leave without me knowing.” I chuckled.
“Q, why wouldn’t I make it home? I was safe and protected all day.”
Quincey’s brows spiked as he tilted his head to the side in confusion but didn’t speak on it.
I walked past him, heading straight upstairs to get ready for practice and talk to Courtland as if I hadn’t just left him.
Twenty minutes later I was back downstairs with Quincey still up and now in the kitchen.
I ignored him moving around to get my water bottle ready and one for Kimmie too.
“Josie, look, I wanted to talk to you about something and I prefer no fucking push back on the topic.” He released a chuckle then continued.
“What am I saying? I’m sure I won’t have any since I’m sure this was your idea. I’m hiring security.”
Act normal, Johnni.
That was all that came to mind and aided in my reaction. Normally, I would’ve been against it, so I pretended to be upset about the decision.
Then another thought came to mind.
What if Quincey pulls rank and tries to pick my bodyguard and it’s not Courtland.
This thought had my response feeling more authentic.
My head shook before I allowed him to finish.
“No. I’m so sick of what the fucking warden has to say about my life, our marriage. Security isn’t necessary, Q. I just told the girls I’m not even important enough for all that.”
“You’re damn important, especially to me. I still have a campaign going on and need you to make it to the seat. Johnni, please don’t fight me on this. I can’t do my job if my mind is consumed with whether you’re safe at your pageants and wherever else you’re going without me. Give me until the end of this election season and we’ll talk about pulling the guard altogether, but for right now, I need this. We need this.”
“No we don’t. And what about my weekends at the club, huh? How will this work? They can’t exactly go in and watch me get fucked now can they, Q?”
When Quincey didn’t answer, instead closing his eyes and blowing out a frustrated sigh, I had my answer.
I snorted angrily.
Not that it matters anyways, Johnni. Your man is about to be in-house for real.
“Really? And now I can’t go there? We’re one decision away from me being a gotdamn prisoner in my own fucking life, Quincey! Tell me though, is that part from the picture or the shooting? I’m trying to connect the two.”
“Neither. Johnni, it’s temporary, I’m not happy about any of these either, but it’s for the best. With everything going on, I don’t need anyone digging too deep and finding out some shitthat no one knows about. Didn’t you say you were getting some tinctures from Mickey? They’ll handle your stress until after election season.”
“Temporary for me or…” I let my last word drag.
“Both. I just said that, Johnni.”
“Yeah, because I’m sure Aric or Tia or whoever else is running behind your ass has you covered. Just fuck my needs. You’ve been saying a lot of shit lately, and yet, the more you talk, the more I see why your role in politics is so gotdamn perfect. Fucking liar!” I shrugged as he rolled his eyes, clearly annoyed. I didn’t give a damn.
“I’m not fucking Aric and damn sure not Tia. I won’t make it to the island and neither will you. Not until after the election, Johnni, end of discussion.”
The sound of the doorbell had me glaring at him for a moment as tears began to pool in my eyes. Not wanting him to see them, I pushed them down while I rushed to get the door for Kimmie.
Well, I think you sold the act, Johnni.
I laughed to myself as I swung open the door for Kimmie and cleared my mind enough to focus on practice. Regionals were weeks away and we had completely switched the routine. I was going to do what my man said and focus on bringing home another crown.
SIXTEEN
