I took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “I’m fine. Go for a walk around the block with Duke, then take a warm bath. If it doesn’t ease your contractions, call me.”
“I’ll cook dinner tonight,” Duke offered. My brother’s reputation as a talented chef had been earned. He could throw down in the kitchen, but I didn’t want anything from him in that moment. “And I’ll buy you three cartons of Berry Punch.”
I snatched my purse and bag off the table. “And eggs, bottled water, chicken, salmon, cereal, and cheese! Eating all my shit.” I smacked him one more time for good measure. “You’re still leaving today.” Without another word, I walked out.
The twenty-minute drive to work consisted of me trying to find my peace and my peace flying out the window every time my mother called to tell me something about the baby shower.
“Mom, I’m at the office. I’ll call you later,” I said. “Promise. Love you.”
I dropped my phone in my purse and rushed into the building.Hopefully, the rest of my day is uneventful.
Unfortunately, I wasn’t that lucky, because this fool… “Get your punk ass out of here!” I growled.
Tyler stood, blocking the entrance to our suite of offices. “Where’s Bliss? She’s usually the first one in the office.”
“I don’t believe I stuttered.” I shoved him aside, pulled out my key, and unlocked the door.
“Blake, come on. I need to talk to her.”
When he started to follow me inside, I stopped and turned to him. Raising a challenging brow, I said, “Give me a reason.” I dropped my bag on a chair near the door. “I promised my sister I wouldn’t do anything rash or violent to you, but cross this threshold.Please.”
I’d always been a fighter. As kids, I fought all of Bliss’ battles with whatever I could find, but most often with my feet or fists. Which was why my parents enrolled me in karate at a young age—to teach me discipline. The moment I learned my first stance was the moment that had changed everything. I’d spent years training with my award-winning sensei, earning my black belt at sixteen and competing in tournaments around the world. Lately, the demands of my business had kept me away from the dojo, but unfortunately for Tyler, I was ready to take out my frustrations on him. Seven months of pent-up frustration, with no head to crack or dick to ride… I needed an outlet.
“She’s having my baby,” Tyler sneered. “I’ll take her to court to get what’s mine.”
“Is that a threat?” Cracking my knuckles, I pinned him with a glare. “And what exactly isyours? I’m curious. Which girlfriend and kid are you claiming today?”
“Your family can’t keep me away from my baby.”
Technically, it wasn’t myfamilywho kept him from Bliss. It was the threat of feeling one of my brother’s fists against his jaw. I let out a slow breath. This day could go to hell. “Do you really want to do this, Tyler? Because I got time today.”
He backed away, hands up.The lil’ punk.“I’m just sayin’. She can’t do this to me.”
“Obviously, you didn’t think about that before you went off and had a whole ‘nother family while my sister was supporting your broke ass.”
“If she would’ve let me explain, then I—”
I laughed. “Explain? You tried it, muthafucka. Wrong sister. You already know I’m not about that bullshit, so you should’ve left when you realized Bliss wasn’t here.”
Despite an overwhelming amount of evidence, including paternity tests and screenshots sent courtesy of hisothergirlfriend, Tyler had acted like he hadn’t done anything wrong. He’d maintained that he was the victim of Bliss and her need to get married when he hadn’t been ready. He’d blamed my sister for making him cheat on her. At this point, the baby was an afterthought. He hadn’t attended a single pre-natal appointment, no Lamaze class, and hadn’t even shown up for the gender reveal. He just wanted Bliss back under his thumb. He wantedherbeautiful self on his arm,hertalent,herconnections,herbusiness, andhermoney.
“Listen, Blake, I—”
I pointed at him. “No, you listen. The—”
“Auntie, B!”
I glanced toward the elevators. My niece, Raven, waved as her eyes darted back and forth between me and Tyler. Normally, the presence of my niece wouldn’t have deterred me from cussing Tyler out, but she wasn’t alone. One of her friends stood behind her.
Smiling at her, I said, “Hey, baby girl. Give me a second.” When she nodded, I turned my attention back to Tyler. “The next time you decide to come tomyoffice, think twice. Stay away from me. Stay away from my sister. Get out.”
“Everything okay, Auntie?” Raven approached us timidly. “Is Aunt Bliss okay?”
I wrapped my arms around her. “I’m fine. So is Bliss. He’s leaving.” Shooting Tyler one last glare, I ushered both girls inside the suite and slammed the door in his face. “What brings you my way?” I asked, picking up my things.
“You look tense,” Raven said. “Like you wanted to smack him.”
“That’s an understatement,” I muttered.
