Page 16 of A Hood Wife And A Rich Goon

Instead of going back to his parents’ home like when he first arrived, Bull opted to take up residence in one of his own properties. It was in a quiet suburb about forty-five minutes outside Prospect Pointe. The modern house was almost four thousand square feet in a gated community. With two stories, accompanied by four bedrooms and four baths plus a garage big enough for two vehicles, he hadn’t done too bad with picking out the property years ago. The large below ground pool in back was also a bonus. He’d used it for an Airbnb in the past but removed it about a year ago.

He whipped his car into the spacious garage, and she peeped the Harley bike in the space beside them. It was the most immaculate, organized space she’d ever seen. Tools lined the walls by size, there were shelves for other boxes and storage tubs, and a sink equipped with additional counter and cabinet space. Leading her through a single large, steel door, they stepped into a pantry. Bull was kind enough to hold the door for her, eyes drifting to her pants hugging her ass. She took her time, very leery and aware of his eyes all over her when she moved. The kitchen was all stainless steel, almost like one of those in a restaurant with steel countertops as well. The space was open, going from the kitchen to the dining room right beside it, and the large living room next to it.

“Take your shoes off,” Bull ordered, tucking the key fob in his pocket and pulling his jacket off.

Doing as she was told, Toni removed her shoes and left them near the door to the pantry. Her eyes scanned the high ceilings, admiring the molding and beams as she dropped her purse on the big, rectangle shaped island in the middle of the kitchen. The décor was simple, a gray sectional sofa with solid white and gray throw pillows arranged neatly and a folded fleece blanket draped over the back. A mirrored style circular table with chrome legs shaped like columns holding it up was centered over a fluffy gray rug, and mounted to the wall in front of it was a big 75-inch screen TV. There were random pieces of art on the walls, but mostly abstract pieces. As far as anything indicating who his family was or anything personal about him, there was no sign of it.

“This is your house?” Antonia breathed, stopping in the space between the dining and living room to capture everything.

It smelled fresh, but it seemed hollow to her as a chill swept up her spine, and she hugged herself to keep warm. It rained again, and the winds were high, singing outside the glass windows and the sliding patio doors near the dining room and kitchen.

“I own it,” Bull confirmed. “Let me show you where you can sleep.”

He took her past the living room where there was a hallway that stretched through to the master suite. On the other side was a hall, taking them to the foyer where there was a set of double doors to a study, and a large staircase to the left. Bull started up, and Toni followed, being hit with his masculine scent the entire way up the stairs. A catwalk overlooked the living room below, and there was one bedroom and bath to the right with two others to the left. He pushed open the door of the bedroom on the left and let her step past him inside. The carpet was so soft she was sure she could comfortably sleep on the floor too.

Inside sat a large queen canopy style bed with a bunch of pillows and a big, yellow comforter. All French designs, including the small bench perched at the foot of the bed. A dresser and mirror were pinned against one wall, with white birch night tables on either side of the bed. She also clocked a walk-in closet and a full bath with a walk-in shower and large tub. Setting her bag on the bench near the bed, she moved toward the French doors leading to a balcony. Outside, a few plants were arranged with a small glass table and matching lounge chairs.

“If you don’t like it, there are two other rooms up here, plus another small room set up as a second living room around the corner. I’m in the master suite downstairs, but I’ll probably just sleep on the couch.” He nodded over his shoulder, and Toni shook her head.

“No. It’s fine. It’s actually… beautiful. A far cry from the little cell I slept in at my mother’s apartment.” She faced him and released a soft laugh.

Nodding, Bull backed up, and his phone went off in his pocket. He studied the screen and saw that it was Brenda calling. Choosing to ignore her, he sent her to voicemail. A few seconds later, it went off again. This time, it was Braxton.

“You want something to eat?” he checked with her.

“I’m starving. I want a double bacon cheeseburger with fries so bad.”

“Aight. I got you. Make yourself comfortable. Take a shower or whatever.” Bull’s gaze danced over her in the t-shirt and leggings she changed into this morning.

Bad nerves engulfed her when he walked away. This house was gorgeous. She in no way felt endangered, but something somewhere in the deepest part of her was waiting for something else to drop. She unpacked her things, leaving them on the bed and choosing a long t-shirt she’d had since high school that she slept in to slip into after her shower. She was surprised to find different name brand products already in the cabinets inside the bathroom with thick towels organized by color on a shelf. Grabbing a peach-colored towel and wash rag, she set them on the marble countertop and went to run the shower.

Peering at herself in the mirror, the woman staring back her was not the same. Her eyes were sad, hair pulled up in a messy bun, and she was exhausted. For the last two days it seemed like she’d been on go, which was the truth. She peeled out of her clothes, leaving them on the floor in a pile before she jumped into the shower encasing to cleanse herself. She couldn’t believe she was here, in this big ass house, with the brother of the man she loved and carrying Bronx’s child. God had to be playing some cruel joke on her. Standing under the hot water with steam surrounding her, she revisited the decision she made a few days ago.

“You’ve lost your mind!” she hissed, gaping at the serious expression on Bull’s face.

There were similarities with him and Bronx, but personality wise, the two couldn’t be more different. Bull never smiled. While Bronx took nothing serious and was always clowning. Yet there was still something familiar in him that comforted her.

“You done?” he asked quietly.

“Oh, I am just getting started.”

“What do you think is going to happen to you if my father’s men get their hands on you? He thinks you set Bronx up,” Bull pointed out.

“I loved Bronx,” Toni argued, brows knitted together.

Shaking his head, Bull stroked his beard. He didn’t have time for this shit, and she wasn’t understanding the severity of the situation too well. All Toni knew was he sounded crazy as hell. Without warning, she burst into tears. Bull waited. Allowing her the moment to collect herself. He’d never been good with crying women or crying period. When she finally looked up, eyes swollen and red, she sniffled.

“Braxton isn’t going to stop. He’s going to keep sending people.”

“Then I’ll keep running,” Toni quipped.

“You won’t.”

“I have to.” She leaned toward him from the passenger’s seat. “I have a child to think about!”

“That’s exactly what I’m talking about,” Bull rebutted.

“I don’t want my baby near any of this.”