Chapter 9 #3
His jaw flexed, but I paid him no mind. All I could think about was getting out of this suite and away from these creepy ass motherfuckers.
“I’m not feeling very well, and I have medicine at the Airbnb. We’ll have to do this another time,” I lied.
“Man, this is some bullshit. Hurry up and get your shit and get the fuck out of here. That’s what I get for tricking off on the wrong bitch.” He fumed.
“I don’t know what the hell your problem is, but you might want to rethink your attitude.
We were sent in here to get her, and that was for your protection, not hers.
Now move your big musty ass out of our way so we can get our friend and get the fuck out of here.
” Summyah spoke through gritted teeth. Both she and Kiara were dressed in pajamas with scarves tied around their heads.
Valor was nowhere in sight, but I didn’t question it too much.
Damacio gave me an icy glare but turned his attention to Summyah.
“Bitch, do you know who I am?” Damacio spat.
“Aye, are you having a problem with these bitches, bro?” Rommel inquired as he stepped behind me with Jeremiah standing next to him.
“Please don’t let this pretty face fool you.
I’m with all the bullshit, and I’m not in the mood.
Let our friend go, and you won’t have any problems. For now,” Kiara warned with her hand resting on her crossbody Coach bag.
Kiara was known for fighting grown men and beating their asses, so it was in his best interest to take heed.
“Bitch, have you lost your mind? Who the fu—” Those were the last words Rommel was able to get out before Kiara reached into her purse and proceeded to mace all three of the men.
I covered my face with my T-shirt once I realized what was going on.
Everything happened so fast as the men fell to the ground, writhing in pain.
Summyah grabbed my hand as we all ran out of the suite.
My legs were on fire, and I could barely keep up, but the two of them helped me get down the hall and onto the elevator.
My heart beat so wildly, I thought that it was going to explode.
As soon as we made it to the first floor, we raced out of the front entrance.
We didn’t stop moving until we got about half a block away.
I could barely catch my breath, but I was so happy to see them.
“I wasn’t sure if y’all had gotten my message. Those niggas were some weirdos, and I had to get out of there.”
“To be honest, we didn’t see the message until Logic and East barged into the Airbnb telling us we needed to wake up.
I tried to stay up, but when you never called us, I assumed you were okay.
It wasn’t until East’s crazy ass came into the house with a gun that I realized something must have gone down,” Summyah expressed.
“Wait, did you say East? They’re here?” I looked around, and that was when I saw an all-black truck creeping up on us.
Logic hopped out of the passenger side, wearing a hoodie with his hands in his pockets.
His hood covered his locs, and when he walked closer to us, I realized his face was covered by a mask.
When he got close enough to me, he lowered himself while observing me.
“Are you okay?”
I shook my head no because I honestly wasn’t. My body was still feeling the effects from whatever drug they gave me, and now that I had been able to process what had happened back in the room, I felt violated.
“Come’re.” His arms wrapped around me as he instructed my friends to get in the car.
He held me in his arms, then whispered that I was gonna be okay.
Logic had never lied to me before, so I felt inclined to believe him.
He helped me into the truck before he climbed back into the passenger seat.
East hadn’t said a word to me, and I figured he was probably upset and disappointed in me.
My body was exhausted, and before I knew it, I had passed out in Summyah’s lap while she played in my hair.
When we made it back to the Airbnb, I told them everything that went down, including their plan to drug me again.
Logic paced the floor with his gun in his hand while East sat there quietly.
I couldn’t read his emotions on his face, but I was used to him being that way.
“I ordered everybody breakfast burritos and burgers from Fat Daddy’s, and the driver is outside.
You need to eat and get some rest. I’m gonna drive us back home later, so y’all can sleep in a little longer.
East and I have to meet up with a business partner, so we’re gonna step out for a little while.
If you need us for any reason, call my phone. ”
Logic walked out to grab the food and brought it back inside. East still hadn’t said a word, and a part of me was afraid.
We grabbed what we wanted from the big spread of food. I settled on a bacon, egg, and cheese biscuit and a hash brown. Summyah brought me some medicine for my head and a bottle of water. My paranoia had me checking to make sure the seal was still attached.
“We’ll be right back. I love you, sis.” Logic kissed my cheek, and then he and East headed out of the house.
My brain was too overstimulated to question what they were up to.
Instead, I ate my food, drank two bottles of water, and took another shower before climbing into bed.
I cried my eyes out in the shower, beating myself up for making another dumb decision.
It felt like I was sixteen all over again, fighting off Tone.
I felt so helpless and stupid for missing the signs.
Once I released all of my tears, I vowed to never allow myself to be weak again.
It was time for me to stand up for myself instead of always relying on others to do it for me.
The events of the night wore me out, and I was asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow.
I slept soundly until I felt the other side of my bed dip.
The blackout curtain prevented me from seeing the person, but I calmed down the moment I smelled his scent.
He smelled as if he had just gotten out of the shower, which confused me because it had to be at least eight in the morning.
His arms wrapped around me, and I instantly melted in his arms. I dreamed of this moment more times than I cared to admit.
His chest was bare, and I could feel the heat from his skin pressed against my back.
I remained still out of fear I would ruin the moment if I moved too much.
Clearly, I must have forgotten who I was dealing with because he broke the silence between us.
“I know your ass isn’t sleeping. You stopped snoring,” East whispered in my ear.
“You’re a liar. I don’t snore. I’m a lady.” I snickered, turning my body so that we were facing each other.
“You might be a lady in the daytime, but you cosplay as a grizzly bear at night. I’m almost certain it’s the reason why my baby doesn’t like to sleep with you at night. You be waking her up with all those loud ass noises.”
“Go to hell. Your child doesn’t like to sleep with me because I make her sleep in her playpen. You and Granny let her take over y’all’s beds, and she thinks she should be able to do the same thing with me. Absolutely not. I’m tired of waking up with a baby’s ass on my head.”
East chuckled, then gripped me tighter. “You leave my baby alone. If she wants to hog the bed, then I’ma let her ’cause it’s her world. At some point, you’re gonna have to get with the program.”
“There are enough delusional people in Symphonee’s world. I refuse to drink the Kool-Aid with the rest of you.” I rested my head on his chest, and he held me without question. Silence filled the room, and for a moment, I thought he might have fallen asleep until he spoke up.
“I kept telling Logic something felt off. At first, he called me paranoid, but after we did some research on the nigga you were hanging with, he agreed with me. He has a couple of civil suits for sexual assault, along with a couple of his teammates. That was the reason I kept asking who you were with because I wanted to at least check them out. Lyric, this world is cold, and it will chew you up and spit you out if you aren’t careful.
I know you think I’m always on your neck because I don’t want you to have fun, but I promise I’m only trying to protect you. ”
My tears dripped from my face onto his chest, but he didn’t seem to mind.
“I’m sorry I didn’t get here soon enough, but I promise that’s the last time a mothafucka will ever have the opportunity to hurt you.
You and Symphonee are my world, and I’ll die protecting you and making sure you always feel safe.
I don’t care whether you’re mad at me or whatever; if you need me, I’m one call away.
I love you, Lola B. Real shit, tonight put a lot of things in perspective for me.
I can’t say too much right now, but just know when it comes to you, I’ll turn every nigga into a news article.
When it’s time for me to lock you down, I’m never gonna let you go. ”
There were so many questions running through my mind, but I was too exhausted to open my mouth. Instead, I snuggled deeper into his body and drifted off to sleep.
When I opened my eyes, I glanced next to me to see if I had been dreaming.
My smile faded when I saw the other side of the bed was empty, but it returned when I saw what was left behind.
There was a bouquet of roses, a Stitch plushie, and a card.
Only a few people knew how obsessed I was with the character Stitch from the movie Lilo & Stitch.
Outside of Space Jam, it was my comfort movie.
I had socks, T-shirts, pajamas, and even a Stitch cup. I watched the movie all the time and couldn’t wait to watch it with my baby girl one day. The fact that East remembered made me feel seen. He paid attention to me even when it was something insignificant.