24. Corinthians #3
“No,” Isaac answered before anyone else could. He lazily took me in as he sat back in his seat. “She isn’t.”
“Since damn when?” Granddaddy asked.
“We didn’t know how to tell you all, but Corinthians and I are dating,” Isaac answered him.
“You’re what?” Psalms said, coming around the corner from the back. “My sister ain’t said shit about dating nobody.”
“She was worried about how people would feel, you know us coming from two prominent families and all.”
“Corinthians?” Psalms said, turning to face me.
I removed the cape from my client, then escorted him to the desk for Granddaddy to check him out.
I wasn’t doing this, not now, not ever. Robert would have to kill me first. After my client was taken care of, I went to the back.
I needed a minute, some time to get myself together, to think.
I needed to tell my family everything, but I knew doing that would put them in danger.
Yes, they were more than capable of taking care of themselves, but Robert had already shown how far his reach went.
He already killed my parents; popping up in my life randomly was nothing.
The other night was different. Isaac and Tyrell being out there was different.
Someone knocked on the door, but I didn’t answer. Again, another knock came, but I refused to move. Finally, the door opened; I expected Bug or one of my cousins to come in. But it was Isaac. He smiled and casually closed the door behind him as if this was a normal occurrence between us.
“It’s empty,” he said, watching my hand as I slowly moved it to the drawer of my desk.
He sat, chuckling as he shook in the chair in front of me.
He crossed his legs at the ankle. “You think I’m joking, right?
Check.” I opened my drawer and found it empty.
I looked up to see Isaac holding it. “I told you.” He set it in his lap and shrugged.
“Now let’s hold a friendly conversation. ”
I didn’t say anything, just licked my lips and watched Isaac.
His nostrils flared at the simple gesture, then he smiled at me.
“Robert sent me to remind you that he isn’t done with his pet.
He still holds the leash and can and will pull at it from time to time to remind you of your place.
” He sat forward. “I’m here to remind you of that hold.
Robert gave me free rein.” He licked his lips and smirked.
“This relationship is going to be a reminder of that.” He stood and set the knife on my desk.
“What if I don’t agree?” I asked as I stared at him.
“Then Robert will give me the go-ahead to finish what he started with your family.” He shrugged.
“I’ll kill every last one of them. Starting with your grandmother, and while you watch me torture her, I’ll make sure that Jonathan gets his pet back.
” He put his hands in his pockets. “Bug has grown up to be a very beautiful woman.”
Two hours after I cut my last client's hair, I shut off the lights to the shop, took my keys out of my pocket, and locked the doors. My family wanted to celebrate the successful opening and to ask questions about my relationship with Isaac, but I declined, saying I was tired and just wanted to rest. They didn’t like it, but they respected it.
I walked to my car, unlocked it, and opened the door.
“Corinthians?”
I turned around to see Tyrell standing behind me.
He smiled, then pulled up his shirt to show me the butt of his gun.
“Don’t even try and move them fast ass hands you got,” he said.
His smile dropped, then he licked his lips.
He pulled his gun from his waist, then grabbed the front of my shirt and pulled me towards him.
“Don’t make me kill you because I will.” He rubbed his nose against the side of my face.
“Then I’ll look at that pretty ass pussy again.
” I tried pulling away from him, but his grip was too tight. “Chill.”
“I swear-“
“I don’t give a fuck,” he interrupted me. He let go of my shirt, pushed me against my car, then grabbed my purse, dug into it, and took out my ringing phone. “Here.” I looked at the phone but didn’t reach for it. “Answer the damn phone.” He pushed his gun under my chin. “Now.”
I took the phone from him and answered it. “Hello?”
“Pet,” Robert said. The sound of his voice made my stomach twist. “I won’t keep you.
I just wanted you to know how proud of you I am.
” I continued holding the phone as I watched Tyrell.
Images of him walking into the house, talking to Robert, and laughing flashed through my mind.
That’s why his face seemed so familiar. He was one of the men that came into the house!
I swallowed the vomit I felt trying to come up.
“Remember I’m never too far. I love you.
” The phone beeped, indicating he hung up, and I lowered it from my face.
“I’ll see you around, Cori,” Tyrell laughed as he walked backward—another person to remind me that I would never get away.