Chapter 29
" U gh!"
I threw down the shirts I was attempting to fold for my suitcase. The eviction notice did not surprise me on the door when I arrived. I was just thankful my things hadn't been discarded because this was all I had. Well... my eyes floated over to the duffel bag full of money. I could buy a whole new wardrobe with all the cash Sire sent me off with.
Plopping on my bed, I stared up at the ceiling before fiddling with my bracelet. I was preparing to leave town and start over somewhere new, but all I could think about was that big dick chocolate drop. For months, all I wanted to do was escape that penthouse. Yet, now I felt so weird being away from it... and away from him.
Sire was far from perfect, but I think that's what I loved most about him. I understood why he could be so cold and standoffish. He'd been through a lot. More importantly, it didn't make him unworthy of my love. I shook my head, realizing that was the real issue here.
I'd fucked around and caught genuine feelings for the man who threatened my life numerous times. The same man who kidnapped me and turned me into his housemaid. And let's not get started on the ways he'd turned me out.
I'd gone into that penthouse a scarred virgin with a hole in her heart. However, somehow, I left feeling more healed and whole than I ever thought possible. Then I left without saying goodbye. I figured that's the way he preferred it since he gave me the cash and dipped. It seemed foolish to wait around, but now I was regretting my decision.
There had to be a reason I couldn't get him off my mind. I still felt his lips and hands on my skin. I heard his deep voice mumbling freaky shit in my ear. It was so real it sent chills down my spine. Balling up the shirt I was trying to fold, I sat up and tossed it across the room.
It happened to land on a picture frame... the one photo I had of me and my sister, to be exact. Walking over to my dresser, I lifted it and smiled sadly. If Alayshia couldn't have a happy ending, I at least deserved to have mine. I knew it wouldn't be possible without speaking to him.
I wasn't even sure what I would say. Hey, I know you violated me in numerous ways, but you have my heart... It sounded ridiculous, no matter how accurate it was. Even still, I knew I had to go back. I left a part of me in that penthouse, and one way or another, I was going to get her back.
With my mission in mind, I walked toward the front door. I paused when I saw a folded piece of paper right in front of the doorway. I knew it wasn't there when I came in, so I picked it up, thinking it was probably another eviction notice. My heart stopped beating when I opened it to read its contents.
Knovah, I'm so sorry. If you got this letter, that means you're still alive. I'm at 4568 Hubbard Road in Richburg, SC. Please come so we can talk.
Best friends forever,
Taria
I stumbled backward, reading over the note again. Rushing to the door, I pulled it open, but of course, there was no one out there. Since she'd given me her address and I had a way to get there, I decided not to waste a minute. Before I could move forward, I needed to see her.
The address Ria gave me led me to a tiny house tucked away in the Richburg countryside. It was nearly two hours away from the city of Rosewind, which I guess was the point. Thankfully, I had Ernesto to drive me around.
He pulled out front and parked the truck. I held my breath to steady my racing heart. By the time he came to open my door, I was ready. "I'll be back in a little while." He nodded, taking a step back.
I slowly strolled toward the rickety porch. When I was in front of the door, I knocked loudly. "Ria, it's Noonie."
The door swung open a minute later. My friend stood there looking as happy and healthy as ever before. She rushed forward to hug me, but it didn't feel right, so I stood there awkwardly. Eventually, she picked up on my hesitation and released me.
She gulped when she stepped back. "Come in. I've been so worried about you."
I decided not to respond to that, knowing if she hadn't abandoned me, then there would be no need to worry. The small home looked like a studio space. I could see everything from the front door except for the bathroom, but that was only because the door was closed.
When I looked back at Ria, she stood silently watching me. I folded my arms and decided there was no time to waste. "How did you put that letter under my door?"
She sighed. "I didn't. I left it with your neighbor months ago for when you made it home."
I laughed. "Yeah, well, it took me months to get home because I was captured by Sire and held hostage."
Ria's expression turned solemn. She took a step toward me with an extended hand to comfort me, but I stepped away. I didn't want her anywhere near me for real. She paused, dropping her head. "I'm so sorry for that, Noonie. I didn't know Rico had a personal vendetta against Mir. It was not supposed to go down like that."
"Which part? The part where you left me and I ended up with nothing or him shooting that man while he was passed out?"
She shook her head. "I understand you're mad, but at least you're okay."
My head jerked backward. "At least I'm okay? You have no idea what I've endured over the last few months because of something you drug me into."
She tossed her hands in the air. "I don't know what you want me to say."
I realized I didn't come here to repair our friendship. There was nothing she could say or do about what was broken. "Nothing. I only came here for something y'all took from Mir's house. I need it back."
She grabbed her elbow. "What is it?"
"A silver locket with a ruby gemstone and diamonds. There's an engraving on the back."
"I know exactly what you're talking about. Rico wanted to pawn it, but I told him not to."
I stood tensely, waiting for her to get the necklace and come back. It took her a few minutes, and I started becoming anxious. I prayed this trip wasn't a complete failure. Eventually, she came back with the locket in her hand.
"Here."
I accepted it with a relieved sigh. Turning it over, I checked for the engraving to make sure it was the real thing. To Clea, love JaSire. I sadly smiled, knowing how much this meant to him. I slowly lifted my head toward Ria. "Thank you."
She nodded as she tucked her hands in the pockets of her sweats. "That's it?"
I nodded. "Yeah, I can't forgive you for what you did. I wish you the best, though." I started to back away but realized I should leave her with a warning. "Be careful. They are still looking for y'all." I was curious about where Rico was but decided not to ask about it.
I opened the front door to leave when he appeared, carrying a bucket of water on his shoulder. "Knovah..."
I ignored him completely as I eased around him and raced toward my waiting ride. I paused when I heard the sound of tires squealing. I barely had time to run off the porch before gunshots began to ring out. I laid on the ground, my heart beating extremely fast, when I was suddenly snatched to my feet.
A man I didn't know with a wavy fade and caramel skin was there. "Stay low. We gotta get you out of here now." I realized he wasn't alone as another man took up the rear. They shielded me all the way to where Ernesto crouched down, waiting.
They made sure I was inside before hopping inside. The one who'd initially picked me up got in beside me while the other one hopped in the passenger seat. "Drive. Drive!" the one in the passenger seat yelled. He turned to look out the window as we took off.
I turned, looking back at the little house, only to find it surrounded by men in black. I gulped, knowing my old friend was not leaving there alive. Even though I didn't want to be friends anymore, I didn't want Ria to die. I sniffled as a wave of emotion washed over me.
"Are you okay?" the guy beside me asked.
I tensed up and moved closer to the door. "Who are you?"
"The niggas who just saved your life!" the one in the front seat yelled with a wild look.
"Loyal, chill. She's scared." The caramel one next to me spoke in a softer voice when he looked at me. "I'm Kalias, and that's Loyal. We're CCB and Sire's closest friends."
Hearing the acronym for Sire's motorcycle club eased my mind a little. "Did Sire send y'all here?"
He winced. "Not necessarily. We've been tracking down your friend for a while, but his father's people made a move first. We only had time to get you out of there. If they would've seen you, you would've been dead too."
I flopped backward in the seat, trying to steady my breathing. Thinking of Sire had me thinking of the locket. I began to panic when I realized it was gone.
"Oh, here. You dropped this." I sighed in relief when Kalias handed me the locket.
"Thank you. This is the whole reason I came here."
He nodded. "You're good for my boy."
I scoffed, unsure if Sire really felt the same way, but I knew I was going to find out. Losing Ria so abruptly made me realize how short life was. I didn't want to waste it by denying what I felt.
"I think so too. Ernesto, can you take me back to the penthouse?" I requested.