“Okay. I’ll get someone to go with you. I don’t like that it isn’t me.”
“I know, but I’ll be fine. You handle what you need to here, and I’ll be fine there.”
“I don’t like this, Mylah. Not even a little. Not until I know who did this.”
“I’m sure whoever you send will keep me safe,” I tell him. He looks over at me and smiles.
“Goddamn right they will, or I’ll rip their fuckin’ head off.” I giggle slightly because I think he’s overreacting just a little, but then I feel how tense he is, and I know he isn’t.
“It’ll be fine,” I tell him.
“It better be. I won’t lose you.”
“You’re not going to lose me, Tide. I’m here.”
“And that’s exactly where I want you.”
“Tide?”
“Yeah?”
“We didn’t use a condom.”
“Why would I? I plan on gettin’ you pregnant, Mylah.” His words seem so final, and this is just the beginning of our relationship.Am I ready for that? For kids with him? I’ve known Tide for years, but he’s always been in and out of prison. It scares me.
“Are you sure?”
“I’ll fuck you again right now to prove it,” he says sternly.
“What if something happens, though? I don’t want to raise a baby on my own.”
“I’m not goin’ back, Mylah. I’ve done a lot of shit in my past, but that’s where I’m leavin’ it. I want you. Always have. And I know you want a family. I’m ready to do that now.”
“We haven’t even been together that long.”
“And? That doesn’t mean shit to me, and you know it. I know all about you, Mylah, and if there’s somethin’ you wanna know about me, just ask.” He’s right. He doesn’t know all about me. In fact, he probably knows more than Christian ever did.
“I’m just worried.”
“Don’t be. I’m not goin’ anywhere.”
Chapter 21
Tide
I beat the punching bag like it personally offended me. I took care of club business, and Mylah is at work. I’ve called the prospect more times than I care to admit, making sure everything was going smoothly. He’s probably tired of hearing from me but I don’t give a shit. I want to know what she’s doing, who she’s doing it with, and that nothing is going down. I should go over there. I should show up and check for myself, but I promised her a little space, and I’m going to give that to her.
“You mad?”
“No. Frustrated,” I tell Patch when he comes to stand next to the bag.
“Well, you’re about to get mad.”
“Why is that?” I stop punching the bag and look at him.
“Beth is back.”
“What the hell does she want?”
