Would’ve seen what I did to Phillip and understood exactly what kind of man I was.
Would’ve gotten scared.
But Truth didn’t run.
Shefought.
And when it was over, when Delphine was laughing on the porch with her shotgun and the whole block was watching, Truth had looked at me like I’d just done the most normal thing in the world.
Like beating a man half to death in the middle of the street was just another day.
I smiled despite myself.
She had no idea who I really was.
What I really did.
The things I’d done to build the empire that paid for the contract she’d signed, the car she’d ridden in, the Black card I’d handed her like it was nothing.
But maybe?—
Maybe when she found out, she wouldn’t be afraid.
Maybe she’d look at me the same way she had tonight.
Like I was just a man.
Not a demon.
Not a monster.
Just Amai.
The thought settled in my chest, warm and dangerous.
I turned off the water and stepped out, grabbing a towel.
My phone was buzzing on the counter.
I picked it up.
Mom.
I stared at the screen for a moment, then answered.
“Mama.”
“Amai.” Her voice was warm, familiar, laced with that particular tone that meant she wanted something. “You forget about dinner tomorrow?”
I hadn’t forgotten.
I’d been actively avoiding thinking about it.
“No, Mama. I didn’t forget.”
“Good. Because I already told Alexis you’d be there.”
I closed my eyes.
