Chapter 3
I looked out of the picture window, watching as Damien and his ex got inside his car.
It was the same ex I had words with for popping up at our house a few weeks ago and walking around as if she owned the place.
My blood boiled because, as much as Damien swore that nothing was going on between them, something in my spirit said otherwise.
I may have been green when we first met, but I’ve learned over time how manipulative and narcissistic Damien was. I had nothing but time to study him and his moves to know when I was being played with.
I couldn’t do this anymore.
I had to get away from him and back to my family.
“A’ight, I’m ready.” I heard the deep baritone voice say behind me. I willed my tears back into their holding place, then turned and smiled.
“Okay.”
We headed outside to his truck, which fit his persona: big and bold. I missed being able to drive, but since we moved here, Damien refused to give me access to a car. However, the man had three available. Anywhere I needed to go, he made sure to chauffeur me around.
Truce took Scottlyn from my arms and placed her inside her car seat.
“Did you make sure to lock down the base?” I asked him.
He nodded. “Dame showed me how. Don’t worry… I’m going to make sure I get y’all there safely.”
I nodded, although he couldn’t see me. I’d walked around the truck and was about to get inside before his voice halted me.
“Don’t you dare touch that door, shorty.”
My hand retracted from the handle as if something was going to pop out and bite me. A few seconds later, Truce walked around the truck and opened the door for me.
“I could have done that.”
“Yeah, well… where I’m from, we don’t allow women to open doors in the presence of men. My father taught me how to behave when in the presence of a lady. Hop in; I’m tired as shit.”
I climbed into the passenger seat, and he closed the door. I watched as he circled the truck and got in the driver’s seat, then pulled out of the driveway.
“Type your address in the GPS for me.”
I did as I was told, then sat back in my seat, enjoying the sounds of the Kem record playing.
Scottlyn was making sounds and blowing spit bubbles while I looked at TikTok videos.
It was the only app I was allowed to have because he knew my mom or sister wouldn’t have one.
Nonetheless, I still prayed that Jas would mysteriously pop up on my For You Page.
In order to distract myself from the huge presence sitting next to me, I scrolled through countless videos mindlessly.
Just the thought of Truce staying at our house had me on edge.
It wasn't like I couldn't control myself. I honestly hadn't looked at another man since I moved here and had no desire to be with anyone, including Damien’s foul ass. I just wanted to escape and go back home to my family with Scottlyn. I knew Draya was losing her mind, wondering where I was. I wish I had listened to her because if I had, things would be totally different than what they currently are. She begged me not to leave; she’d even tried to bribe me with money, but my dickmatized ass didn't listen and followed the demon to hell.
I’d been dwelling in hell ever since.
Today was a lighter day for him, though. Aside from him trying to make me give him fellatio and embarrassing me in front of everyone, he managed to keep his hands to himself. If we had been home and I had denied him, things would have been a lot worse.
“Nice.”
I looked over at him, then at my surroundings, noticing we had pulled up to Hell’s Fortress.
The house may have sat on twelve acres of land, surrounded by beautiful, lush green grass, stunning trees, with a wraparound driveway and oversized balcony.
Yet, the beauty on the outside didn't match the inside. If the walls could talk, they’d tell him how many times we came face to face.
They’d greet me as if we were blood-related due to my DNA meshing with the paint on countless occasions.
“Yeah, it is,” I agreed.
“Well, let me not keep y’all waiting. You look like you need rest.”
“Says the man who looks like he smoked a pound of Mary Jane.” I giggled. He stared at me with a lazy smile on his face, and I looked away. “Are you going to open the door or should I?”
“Oh shit, my bad.” He got out of the car, retrieved my baby and her bag, then came around to my side and opened the door for me. ,
I climbed out of the truck as we headed up to the house, and I let us inside.
“Okay. The nigga used what I taught his ass, I see,” Truce said, looking around impressed.
“There are three rooms down here that are available, and two upstairs that are unoccupied in the east wing. The elevator is over there to the left, if you ever need to use it. The kitchen is straight ahead, and there’s also a bathroom down here.
I would give you a tour, but I have to go put the little one to bed.
Feel free to make yourself at home and use that button on the wall over there for the intercom if you need me. ”
He chuckled. “Intercoms and elevators. Yeah, I may need to call my contractors to add a few more things to my crib.”
I smiled casually. “I’ll take her.”
He kissed her cheek, then handed her to me along with her bag. “Night, Chunks. Uncle will spend all his time with you tomorrow.”
“Say good night, Scottlyn.”
“Nuh ni!”
His brows shot up. “Oh, you’re trying to talk, Chunks?”
“Yeah, she's been trying,” I said, smiling at my baby. She was truly my little piece of heaven on earth.
“I’ma grab my bags out of the car. Sleep well, Jela.”
“Thank you… Good night.”
I walked away and got onto the elevator.
I let out the nervous breath I was holding in.
Truce made me nervous, making me feel things I shouldn't.
Just us walking up to the house, with him holding my baby and bags, felt too much like this was our home, our baby, our normal.
I couldn't stop the sexual attraction toward him.
The man just oozed great sex, great love, and BDE.
His chiseled face, full lips, light eyes, broad shoulders, and athletic body had my pussy screaming for him.
The corporate look he was sporting had me wanting him to put his hands and mouth on me.
I was contradicting myself about having no interest in men, but looking at him had me not caring that I was a damn walking contradiction.
I really hoped and prayed he wouldn't be staying here for long. There was no way I could stop myself from shooting my shot with my fiancé’s brother because, fuck Damien at this point.
I was sick of him. Truce showed me more kindness and attention than Damien ever had, which was probably why I was now feeling a sense of finally wanting to take my life back.
The way Truce stared at me, trying to see if I was okay, and how accepting he was of my daughter, even though it was his niece, made me feel like he cared.
No one ever cared.
Not his mother, aunt, cousins, or uncles. None of them cared to check on me to see how I was mentally, physically, or emotionally. They just doted on Scottlyn and Damien, making me feel like I didn't exist.
Imagine what a little attention from a gorgeous man could do.
After giving Scottlyn her nighttime bath, feeding her, and reading her a bedtime story, she was out within ten minutes of me reading the second Dr. Seuss book.
I laid her in her crib, grabbed the baby monitor, and went into my room to change into my dance attire.
I needed to go down to my studio and dance my frustration, pain, and sexual tension away.
After getting dressed, I pulled my hair up into a bun, grabbed my water bottle and towel, and went into the basement.
As I stepped through the threshold of the studio door, I felt my transformation enter along with me.
This was what I loved. It’s what defined the woman I wanted to become.
It was my dream and was supposed to be my destiny, but love derailed my plans and gave me a first-class ticket to a place I didn't want to be.
I did a few stretches, then shut off the light and turned on the LED lights, changing the color setting to red.
Walking over to the wall where I kept my shoes, I grabbed the four-inch YSL red bottoms—an apology gift from my abuser—placed them on, then turned on the camera to record my moves.
I hooked my phone to the Bluetooth speakers and went to my playlist. Ciara’s “Body Party” queued as I got into position to begin my eight counts in front of the wall of mirrors.
The pole was installed for Damien’s entertainment, so I rarely used it unless he came in demanding that I dance for him.
But tonight, I had a different man in mind.
My hips wound until I dropped down into a butterfly position and got down on my knees.
I sexily crawled over to the pole, stood, climbed to the top, and spun around, parting my legs into an air split before slowly and seductively making my way back down into a floor split.
The song blended to Lucky Daye’s “Over,” and I made up another eight count. I felt sexy, grown, and empowered. I was in my element and loved every twist, turn, head roll, and bend of my limbs.
Song after song, I stayed inside my studio, dancing for over an hour.
When Dru Hill’s “In My Bed” came on, I felt myself going inside my head.
Thoughts of Damien and our relationship consumed me.
I was really in love with him once upon a time and would have been anything he needed and desired.
I was a good person and knew I didn't deserve to be treated like a punching bag and doormat.
I had to get away from him if it were the last thing I did.
Almost a year of being his hostage was enough to drive anyone crazy, and before I allowed my daughter to grow up and witness his treatment toward me, I was going to leave.
Her first birthday is next month, giving me thirty days to plan my escape.
Once the song ended, I turned off the music and sat down on the bench across the room.
Going to the photo gallery on my phone, I went to the last video with my mom, sister, and me at my baby shower.
I watched as all of our faces displayed happiness.
My smile was genuine, and my laugh was contagious as Jas spoke to my stomach, telling my baby that she was going to steal her away from me.
“You might as well give it up, sis. You're having this baby for me!” she yelled in excitement.
“Girl, please. Have your own baby. Don't be trying to take mine.” I giggled into the camera.
Before I could stop it, my lips trembled, my eyes stung, and tears flowed as soon as my mom, Draya, came into the camera. She kissed my cheek and told me how proud she was of me. I missed them so much that my heart hurt.
“Hey.” Snapping into place at the sound of his deep voice, I wiped my face. Seeing Truce leaning in the doorway, I sighed as he asked, “You good?”
“I’m fine. I thought you’d be asleep,” I said, taking off my heels and placing them back on the rack. I looked at the time on my phone, noticing it was after midnight. I didn't realize I’d been in here that long, watching videos on my phone as I wiped my face with the towel.
“I dozed for a bit but woke up and decided to explore.”
When I turned to face him, I damn near melted into the floor.
His hair was free of the braids and fell down his shoulders with the crinkle impressions the braids left behind.
He wore a white t-shirt, basketball shorts, with white socks and Nike slides on his feet.
Just seeing him in something as simple as that had my pussy beating like a drum.
The fuuuck! Why, Lord? Why would You do this to me?
Was God trying to punish me? Was He not aware that this man was making me sexually aroused and uncomfortable around him?
As bad as I would enjoy getting my lick back on Damien by riding his brother’s dick from dusk till dawn, I couldn't, or rather wouldn't, be that person.
I didn't want any trouble, so this man needed to get the hell away from me.
“I see you couldn't sleep either.”
Shutting off the lights, I responded, “Dancing usually puts me to sleep. I'm headed to shower and pass out now.”
He stepped back so I could pass him but grabbed my wrist lightly before I could walk away.
“I know you don’t know me, and I may be a little nosy, but I can't help but see nothing but sadness when I look at you. Are you sure you’re okay?”
I tensed and looked away from him. I wasn't telling him anything that would cause me more trouble than it already had.
I couldn't tell my fiancé’s brother that he was a cheating, lying, abusive sack of shit.
I couldn't make him my ally when I knew nothing about him.
He could very well be setting me up. His being here could be a ploy to try to seduce me so Damien can beat the hell out of me.
No—I wasn't falling for it.
“I promise, I’m fine. Good night.”
I hurried toward the elevator to get away from him when I felt an arm wrap around my waist and a hard chest on my back. The bulge against my ass made me gain some fucking sense as I quickly moved out of his grasp.
“What are you doing? Are you trying to get me killed? He has cameras everywhere!” He cocked his head to the side and stared at me. “If Damien had you come here to test me, then he really is a crazy fuck!”
“Test you?”
“Yes! Having you come on to me so he can have a reason…” My voice trailed off as I shook my head. I was talking too much.
“Reason to what?” he asked, folding his arms across his chest.
“Nothing. Just don't do that, okay? It’s highly inappropriate.”
“You sure?”
“Truce… Just have a good night.”
I pressed the button for the elevator, and the doors opened. I stepped on, pressing the number to the second floor. As the doors began closing, Truce placed his hand between the doors to stop them.
“You were crying and looked like you needed comforting. I should have asked, so for that, I am sorry. I wasn’t thinking.”
“Yeah, well… be more mindful next time.”
“You have my word. And, Jela?”
“What?” I answered with more attitude than intended.
He stared at me for a moment before he shook his head. “Nothing. Sleep well.”
He removed his hand and allowed the doors to close.
My heart was beating hard in my chest. Truce being here wasn't going to work. He had to go, or that escape plan was going to happen a lot sooner than I thought.