Chapter 10
Promise didn’t ever think she would be back working in a strip club but as she walked the floors, she felt alive.
She was dressed in the skimpiest one-piece she could find.
She was looking for a baller but not just any baller.
She was looking for Worth Baker. She was in disguise in the event that he recognized her.
She was dressed in a neon green tube top body suit that had her stomach and sides on display.
Crystals littered the thin fabric. Promise’s ass hung from the bottom as she strutted through the club.
Her hair was styled in a sleek ponytail that cascaded down her back.
She walked past Worth’s section for the third time, locking eyes with him for the umpteenth time.
He winked at her while she smiled. He waved her over.
Finally! She thought to herself.
“Hi!” Promise greeted as she took a seat in his lap.
“You’re beautiful, baby girl. What you doing in here? You must be new?” He rubbed her back. Unbeknownst to them, Shadow was across the club, watching Promise’s every move. He wouldn’t be able to think straight if he wasn’t there.
“Something like that. Is it that obvious?” Promise asked.
“Hell yeah but it’s cool, I’ll pay you to just sit here and keep me company. Is that cool with you?” He pulled out a wad of bills. Promise’s eyes grew wide in shock.
“What you drinking?” He asked.
“I haven’t had anything. I know most girls like to be fucked up on their first night, but I wanted to make sure I was alert.”
“You in good hands now.” He grabbed a unopened bottle of 1942, passing it to her. Promise wanted to decline but she needed to do what he wanted. So, she opened the bottle, taking it to the head. An hour later, Promise was dancing seductively in his lap while his hands freely roamed her body.
“Come home with me. I’ll pay you.”
“How much we talking?” Promise stood, straddling his lap. His hands went to her ass.
“I’ll give you ten thousand.”
“Okay, let me go get my stuff. I’ll be back.
” Promise walked off. She locked eyes with her angry husband.
She couldn’t believe he was there, but on the other hand, she could.
She walked in the locker room. She wiped off then changed.
She pulled out her phone, dialing Shadow.
He walked in the locker room and all eyes were on him.
“What are you doing here?” Promise asked. He pushed her into the bathroom stall. He slammed the door shut behind him.
“Shadow, I was performing. You’re not thinking what if he saw you,” Promise harshly whispered.
“Fuck that, we about to go.”
“No, I’m okay, baby. You need to go, he just asked me to come home with him,” she whispered in his ear as his hand went to her waist.
“I don’t feel good about this, P.”
“It’s a little too late for that. I love you. I have to go.” Promise kissed his lips before walking out. All eyes were on her.
“What the fuck y’all looking at?” Promise grabbed her bags and walked out.
She found Worth, who had one of his men grab her bag.
He escorted Promise outside to his awaiting black truck.
As soon as they were inside, he was all over her, kissing and fondling her.
She wanted to protest but she couldn’t. Instead, she moaned to stroke his ego.
“You haven’t even asked me my name.” Promise straddled his lap while his hands fondled her breast.
“I know who you are. I knew who you were when you walked past me the first time. Then, I knew it was you when I spotted Shadow across the club watching us like a hawk. Your husband isn’t a reckless man but I understand, you’re stunning.
He put two bullets in my stomach because I threatened your life.
A life that’s in my hands now.” Worth wrapped his hand around Promise’s throat, squeezing.
Promise stared into his evil eyes, wishing she had listened to Shadow.
“I can help you.” Promise tapped at his hand. Worth looked back, watching as Shadow tailed them a couple cars back. He flung Promise across the truck. She desperately sucked in air. Worth pulled out his phone.
“Shadow’s a couple cars back. Get him now.” Worth hung up.
“Where is Kemiya?” Worth asked Promise, who looked mortified. She was sure she had the upper hand in the beginning but the tables had turned in a matter of seconds.
“If I tell you, will you let me go?” Promise bargained.
“I have special plans for you, Promise. You don’t have to tell me. I’ll find her myself, then you’ll both suffer.”
Promise’s lips quivered at the thought. What have I gotten myself into?
They arrived outside of a house. Worth’s phone rang. Instead of answering, he opened the door. He grabbed Promise’s wrist, pulling her out. His phone rang again.
“What, Sam?” He snapped as his men got out of their cars. Their bodies dropped, causing Promise to jump.
“What do you mean it wasn’t Shadow? Then, where is he?” Worth shouted as a bullet hit his shoulder, causing him to stumble. He knew exactly where Shadow was now. However, before he could dwell on it, another bullet struck him in the middle of his forehead.
“Promise?” Kemi called out. Promise turned, locking eyes with her. She was happy to see her once again. The last time she was pulling her from a crawl space and now she was rescuing her from her father.
“I thought you couldn’t be here.”
“I didn’t kill them, our husband did. Worth didn’t know I knew where he was hiding out. I told Shadow. I followed you along with a decoy from the club while Shadow got in place. He counted on Worth recognizing you.”
“Damn, neither of y’all had faith in me, fareal?”
“Promise, this isn’t a game. You have one life?”
“Bitch, you were the main one pushing for me to do it.”
“I didn’t think you would actually go through with it! Luckily for us the shit worked.”
Promise’s phone rang with a call from Shadow.
“I’m okay, baby. I’m with Kemi. Where are you?” Promise hung up.
Kemi glanced over at her.
“He said to meet us back at the house,” Promise informed. Kemi merged onto the interstate.
“Can we call a truce? I need your help.” The sincerity in her voice made Promise wonder what was wrong.
“It depends.”
“On what, Promise?” Kemi’s annoyance quickly made its way back.
“What is it?”
“I have a son. He’s five.”
“So why would y..” Promise’s voice trailed off at the sudden realization of what she was saying.
“You’re saying you and Shadow have a son?” Promise asked, even though she knew the answer.
“Yes. He doesn’t know,” she mumbled but Promise heard her.
“I’m not helping you tell him that. He’s going to be pissed. All I know is when you tell him, he better be in a good mood.”
“I’m about to go but I wanted to tell him before I left that’s why I really came back. I’m sorry, Promise. I’ve grown to like you. I didn’t mean to cause problems in your life.”
Promise sighed. She too had grown to respect Kemi as well. They loved the same man that usually meant cat fights and drama. They had their fair share of disagreements but they were able to coexist when it mattered the most.
“Fuck you, Kemi! I’ll help you but if you have me beefing with my man—”
“You ain’t gon’ do nothing, Wifey,” Kemi cut her off.
They arrived outside of a home Promise didn’t recognize.
Kemi got out. The front door opened and a little boy ran out.
He forcefully ran into Kemi, wrapping his arms around her legs.
Promise let the window down. She smiled hard at the little boy who had her husband’s whole face.
Pryce looked like Shadow, but he favored Nautica more.
He looked over at Promise who was staring at him.
“Come on, son. I got somebody I want you to meet.” Kemi put him in the backseat before getting behind the wheel.
“This is Promise, she’s your daddy’s wife,” Kemi said, and Promise looked at her like she was crazy. However, her son knew his father even if he hadn’t laid eyes on him.
“I thought you were his wife?” He innocently questioned.
“I am but she is, too.” Technically, Kemi was deceased, which made Promise his legal wife. Even still they were his wives.
“Hi, handsome. It’s so nice to meet you! What’s your name?”
“Sawyer Nkosi,” he revealed. Promise’s eyes filled with tears.
“Well, I’m Promise, your step mom. You have a baby brother. His name is Pryce,” Promise said and watched as his face lit up.
“Really?! How old is he?”
“He’s a baby, son. You’ll get to meet him and your dad in a minute,” Kemi nervously answered as they neared the safe house.