Chapter 4
SKYE
“Wow, that was some crazy shit. So Enzo was the one who kidnapped you?”
“Yep. It took me a minute to believe it, but once I saw the look on Mecca’s face and heard how scared he was, I was convinced.”
“Scared? Since when has Mecca’s big mouth ass ever been scared?”
“Since Ocean got involved.” I shook my head slowly. “I don’t know what it is, but he doesn’t want to deal with Ocean.”
Nyx sucked her teeth as she leaned back on the couch, her arms folded. “Sure could’ve fooled me. He didn’t seem too scared when he showed up to the restaurant the night you and Ocean first met.”
“That’s because he was hyped up on liquid courage and weed. Sober Mecca isn’t trying to fuck with him, which is why—”
The front door swung open, and Ocean walked in with a mug on his face that made my mouth water.
And just like that, everything about him hit me at once. How tall he was, how his broad shoulders filled out his jacket, how good his beard looked against his warm skin...
He was so fucking fine, but scary at the same time.
His gaze was intense and threatening, like he was two seconds away from fucking somebody up...again.
Honestly, I didn’t know if I needed to run or climb on top of him.
Ocean grabbed my hand, pulling me up from the couch.
Tilting his head to the side, he slid a hand down my cheek, surveying my body for any sign that anything was out of place. “You good? Did he hurt you?”
“No, he didn’t. I’m fine.”
Ocean took another look at me, his eyes finally landing on my wrists. “This doesn’t look fine.”
“Oh, that? No worries. I bruise easily. It’ll be gone in a day or two.”
“Is he dead?” Nyx asked.
I wasn’t sure if I wanted to know the answer. Part of me didn’t mind his ass being wiped away from the earth. Another part didn’t want his demise connected to Enzo’s dumb ass.
“No,” Shade said.
“Do you want him to be?” Ocean stared at me.
Damn, is it that easy?
I shook my head. “No. He can live. He just got caught up in the middle of Enzo’s shit.”
“You really believe that?” Shade asked.
“Yeah, I do. Only because I think he’s realized that fucking with the two of you isn’t smart. What happened at the club really shook him up.”
For the first time, Ocean cracked a smile, and what a beautiful smile it was.
“What’s funny?” I asked.
“That nigga being scared. He should’ve been warning his bitch ass friend.” Ocean scoffed. “But it’s all good. Enzo’s going to get what’s coming to him.”
“What are you going to do?”
He slid his hand beneath my chin. “Don’t you worry about that. Just know it’s going to get handled.”
“Will it be the same way y’all handled Eli?” Nyx spat.
Shade cleared his throat. “Baby—”
“Don’t! I want to know what happened.”
“He’s dead,” Ocean shot back. “I thought that was pretty obvious.”
“I know that. But how—”
“I pistol-whipped his ass.”
Nyx gasped.
“Damn.” Ocean sucked his teeth. “I probably should’ve made sure you weren’t wearing a wire or some shit.” He let me go, then sat on the arm of the couch and shrugged. “Oh well.”
I tucked my bottom lip between my teeth, trying to hold back a laugh.
Everyone didn’t understand Ocean’s sense of humor. It could be a little dark at times. But with him, there was never a dull moment, and I loved it. Even when I shouldn’t.
“So that whole car accident thing...that wasn’t real?”
“Oh, that shit was real,” he replied. “I didn’t kill him all the way. I left him a little conscious, so he could witness his own death.”
I looked over at Nyx. I could tell that Ocean’s lack of concern worried her.
As much as she couldn’t stand Eli, I’m pretty sure she didn’t want him dead.
But something told me that if he was dead, it was for a good reason.
I’d only known Ocean a short time, but I knew that he didn’t do shit just because.
“So, why did you do it?” I asked.
“Because he ran my sister over and left her for dead.”
“Wait, are you saying that he was the driver at the club that night?”
“That’s exactly what I’m saying. Had he so much as stopped and made sure she was okay, I would’ve let him keep his life. I still would’ve beat his ass, but his soul wouldn’t be forever engraved on a tree.”
“Nyx, baby,” Shade stepped in. “I know this is probably a lot to hear. But you have to understand where we’re coming from.”
Ocean stood up and placed his hand on Shade’s shoulder while smiling. “If it makes you feel any better, your man didn’t get his hands dirty. That shit was all me. I think y’all were out eating sushi when I was giving him a facelift,” he added casually.
Nyx sighed, then looked at Shade.
I giggled.
“It’s not funny,” Nyx spat. “Someone is dead. What if the cops find out what really happened?”
“Trust me, they won’t,” Ocean said.
“How do you know?”
“Because my clean-up crew is impeccable. They don’t make mistakes, and they don’t leave shit behind. You only see what they want you to see.”
“Your clean-up crew?”
“Yep, and had this shit not been so personal, I would’ve had them handle the whole thing.
But I needed to make sure his blood was on my hands.
” He slid out of his jacket and tossed it on the couch.
“You got an ice pack or some shit? I fucked up and used my fists a few times. That fool had me out there acting like Shade.”
He laughed.
“I’ll grab you a bag of ice.” Nyx headed toward the kitchen.
“I’ll come with you.” Shade followed behind her.
“Don’t come behind me trying to butter me up.”
“That’s not what I’m doing.”
“Yes it is,” Ocean shot back before looking at Nyx. “And you might as well go ahead and let him. We all know you can’t stay mad at his ass.”
“Yeah, well, I can try.”
“Don’t bother. His hands are clean, and at the end of the day, you’re team Jassi, right?”
“Of course.”
“Alright then. End of discussion.”
Nyx dropped her shoulders, then continued her journey to the kitchen.
“She’ll be okay,” I said. “She just needs some time to move past it.”
“Yeah, that’s what I told my brother.” Ocean took another look at me, his hand resting against my neck. “You sure you’re good?”
“Yes. I’m fine.”
“Well, I don’t want you to go back to your place. I’m having a security system installed as soon as possible. I’m not feeling how easy it was for that nigga to walk up in your crib.”
“You don’t have to do that. I—”
“It’s already in the works.” He held up his phone and showed me the appointment confirmation.
“Well, okay then. I’ll just stay here with Nyx until it’s taken care of.”
“Nah, I want you to come stay with me.”
Confused, I frowned. “Stay with you? But you don’t even live here.”
He laughed. “No, but I do have a condo here, remember?”
“Oh...right,” I said, clearing my throat.
“Why the hesitation?”
“I mean, do you really think that’s a good idea? I know how you are.”
“If you’re worried about other women popping up, you can relax. I’ll make sure that doesn’t happen.”
Relief washed over me.
Although Ocean and I weren’t messing around like that anymore, I didn’t want to see him with another woman. Despite trying not to, I’d caught feelings, and I was sick about it.
Falling for Ocean wasn’t the plan. Sex was the plan.
But it was hard to keep that mindset when the dick was that damn good and simple check-ins turned into long conversations that ended in us falling asleep on the phone together.
“Well, thank you, I appreciate that. Please keep all your hoes at their own cribs or hotels.”
He laughed. “Noted.”
Finally, Shade and Nyx returned, holding hands.
“Well, I see you two love birds have made up,” I said.
Nyx looked up at Shade, smiling. “Yeah, he better be glad I love him and Jassi.”
“Trust me, baby, I am,” he said before planting a soft kiss on her lips.
“Alright, alright. Get a room,” I teased.
Nyx giggled before handing Ocean a small bag of ice and looking at me. “Speaking of rooms...there’s fresh sheets on the bed—”
“No need,” Ocean stepped in. “She’s staying with me.”
Nyx’s brows lifted. “Oh, really?”
“Yes,” I replied. “But only until the security system that Ocean insists on me having, gets installed. So don’t get the wrong idea.”
“And what idea is that?” She smirked.
“Don’t even try it. I know how you think.”
Ocean shrugged. “Shit, let her think whatever she wants.”
“No. It needs to be clear that you and I aren’t messing around like that. We’re just friends.”
“Oh, right,” he groaned. “You can relax, Nyx. Your girl and I aren’t fucking anymore.”
I squeezed my eyes shut, then grabbed Ocean’s unbruised hand. “Let’s go.”
I didn’t need him to say another word.
“Call me when you get there, Skye. And don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”
“Damn, Nyx, why you blocking?” Ocean said with an amused grin.
I rolled my eyes. “Trust me, she’s not blocking anything. It’s not happening.”
“But I just beat a nigga’s ass for you. I know how much you like that type of shit.”
“We all do.” Nyx frowned.
“Yeah, well, I’m not letting that cloud my judgment tonight. I’m going to the condo, taking a shower and going to bed. I’m exhausted.”
“Yeah, okay,” Nyx said.
“Whatever.” I tightened my grip around Ocean’s hand and pulled him toward the door.
I don’t give a damn what his charming ass does. I’m not fucking him.