That was the truth.
The way it felt in my body wasn’t something I could explain clearly.
Loving somebody like him didn’t feel simple. It felt like standing too close to something that stayed hot even when it wasn’t burning you yet.
He studied me for a moment like he was tryna decide if I was talking or confessing.
Then he walked back to his chair and sat down, moving closer to me but not touching me.
“You don’t have to agree with how I move, mamas,” he said low. “But you damn sure can’t be scared of how a nigga bout to move for you and the family that we are building.”
I slid to the edge of my seat, looking him in his eyes. “I don’t want to lose you,” I said softly. “Gio is trippin’ in ways I never seen that nigga move, I don’t want to lose you in all of this when we could just ignore it and let him dig his own grave.”
Love chuckled a little bit. “You will never lose me to a clown, baby. I’m smart, my money longer, and that nigga in my city. I got niggas on speed dial that could touch him, but I don’t want to do that.”
Love was calm and cool as he talked. Just from that, I could tell that he meant every word that he was saying.
“That nigga will definitely dig his own grave,” he continued, laughing. “I can promise you that.”
Love stood back up, grabbed my hands, and pulled me into his arms.
“I love you, and I be damn if I let that nigga fuck up what we’re building or bother you in any way. Do you believe me?”
I nodded.
“Do you trust me?”
I paused, looking in his eyes. “I do, baby.”
“Do you love me?” he asked.
“You know I do.”
Love pulled back and kissed me. “Then let me do what I need to do.”
He stared into my eyes, and I exhaled. “Okay, baby, do what you need to do.”
A grin came across Love’s face, a grin that I had never seen before.
“Say less, mamas, say less.”
Chapter 2
Being Tested
Islah was fast asleep when I was creeping outta the house.
I wasn’t mad at her ex.
I was determined to make sure that nigga wasn’t gonna be a problem for us.
I grabbed my Glock off my dresser and slipped it in my waistband before stepping out. I took the elevator down to the lobby, giving the doorman a slight nod as I walked past.
The morning air hit me as I walked to my car, phone to my ear, calling Keith.
“Wussup, Boss?” he said, answering the line quick.
“I’m glad you up,” I said as I got in my car and started it up. “You still got that nigga hotel shit?”
