Page 50 of A Beast Captured My Heart

“Hell naw, we not cutting nothing short!”

Praise rubbed his massive hand down his waves, he did that out of annoyance, him and Lay would go back and forth like Pam and Martin at times. He was trying his hardest to play it smooth, but I could tell my baby wanted me to hurry back.

“Nah babe you good, we good… I guess I’m gone see if uber eats can bring Mattea some ice-cream to get her ass to chill out.”

I heard something falling in the background, he put the phone down and started getting on Mattea case, then he told Stone he would buy him another vase.

“Sit yo lil ass down Tea! You gone make me spank yo lil ass.”

Rolling my eyes, that’s exactly what she needed. Praise would threaten her all day and do no type of discipline. He just would pacify her with something she liked to make her act right and be a relief to him. When he came back to the phone, he had Zion tiny figure propped up on his shoulder. I imagined him with our baby once it got here and smiled.

“You keep giving her sugar and that don’t make it no better Praise… sugar is like crack to kids Mattea age.”

“You tryna say I’m drugging my baby?”

He glared at me; it was time for me to end this call. Couldn’t tell his rock head ass shit when it came to his parenting skills.

“We are doing fine, babe. I’ll call you later.”

I attempted to rush him off the phone, by changing the subject, he wasn’t having it.

“Don’t get fucked up, Yori. Who massaging y’all? A woman or a nigga?”

His gray eyes left mine so he could try to see who was behind or around me. I kept my face primarily in the camera view.

“Really Praise?”

He gave me that charming panty wetting smile. I offered the roll of my eyes.

“You keep rolling them bitches they gon’ get stuck, baby.”

“Bitches! Bitches! Bitches!” Mattea mocked him as Praise face tightened.

“Tea! Don’t say that shit! I’ma pop yo ass!” He tried to sound serious, but that shit didn’t faze her.

“Otayyyy bitches!” She giggled hard. He told me that he loved me and hung up before I could say it back. Shaking my head, I looked at Lay and we both fell out laughing as we stood to make our way to the locker room to take our showers and get ready to get our nails and feet done.

“That’s yo bad ass step baby, you need to start popping her lil ass.”

Lay chuckled as we both shared a knowingly laugh. I wasn’t into whooping kids like that, but I was super good at doing punishments. Mattea knew she couldn’t play me like she did her dad. I would happily turn the tv off and make her sit with one toy. It drove her crazy, but she would get her act together after five minutes.

“Meet me back in the front, I want to take a quick mud bath and then shower.”

“Okay, I’m not doing all that. I’ll just get a facial after I shower and meet you in the front for our feet and nails.”

“Bet.”

That massage had me feeling so well and rested. My limbs felt good, and I didn’t realize how bad I needed that massage. Almost dragging my feet to the locker room to get my second change of clothes, I got an eerie feeling but shook it off. Things had been going so well, I prayed daily for them not to go bad. Every time I got this feeling though something happened, I just prayed it wasn’t today. I knew the type of man I was with; he was powerful and had a lot going on. He kept me well protected at all times, so I knew I had nothing to worry about. It still didn’t stop the worry that I battled with. I worried for his safety and wondered if anyone was still after him. Things just didn’t disappear and go away.

He kept his business secretive, so I didn’t know how he was operating when it came down to Laquanna, his ex, and his damn brother. I was sure if I asked him, he would tell me every detail. That’s what I loved about Praise, he didn’t lie or try to hide shit to accommodate my feelings. If I asked, he told. If I didn’t ask, he didn’t offer the information. Shaking those thoughts off, I pep talked myself. I was okay with not knowing, I felt like it wasn’t my business to know as long as it didn’t affect me. Today was about me relaxing and enjoying my day, not worrying about the what ifs. Putting my locker code in, I opened it and grabbed my items before closing it back. When I looked up to make my way to the shower room, my stomach dropped, I held my clothes tight as my mouth opened.

“Kayori, please don’t scream… I’m not here to hurt you, I just need help.”

“Teflon, what the fuck… how the hell you get in here past my bodyguards?” I swallowed down, wondering how he maneuvered back here and why was he even here to begin with.

“I need you to please talk to Beast… I need help, I’m lost out here. If I just reveal myself, then he is going to kill me. You’re my only way.”

Tears fell down his ashy ass face. He looked pitiful with dry cracked up lips. His once thick frame was sunken. He was all bones, Teflon looked bad as hell. I actually felt bad for him.