Chapter 3
“What the hell was that about?” Preston asked when we entered the hallway.
“What are you talking about?”
“Rose, don’t play in my face. You know exactly what the fuck I’m talking about. Is that the nigga you fucking since you won’t give me no pussy?”
Who the fuck is he talking to?
We’d made it to the doors, and I stopped before going outside. We faced each other, and his angry expression didn’t scare me one bit.
“What did you just say?” I asked.
“I know you not my girl, but you let that nigga rub your ass and kiss your neck like you didn’t come to this bitch with me.”
His voice was elevated, and we had the attention of a few people.
“I didn’t let him do anything, and if you had a problem with it, you should’ve been man enough to speak up.”
“You ain’t my bitch. What the fuck I look like arguing with another nigga over a bitch who’s probably for the streets. You put on this innocent act like you got rules, expectations, and requirements, but you probably a ho and out here fucking and sucking on every nigga you meet.”
“First of all, your mama’s a bitch. Nigga, you just mad I wouldn’t let you get a whiff of this pussy, with your non-dick-print having ass. Your shit probably little as fuck.”
“Bitch, I’ll—” he began as he took a step toward me.
An arm went around Preston’s neck from behind, cutting him off and startling me. It was Russell, and before I could react, he pulled Preston outside.
“Get the fuck off me,” Preston shouted.
“Russell! What are you doing?” Gayle shouted, following the men outside.
Her dumb ass wasn’t smart enough to stay out of men’s business, so I guess it was up to me to let her know.
“Gayle, don’t get too close,” I warned.
She stopped walking, and I stood beside while Russell got Preston together a few feet away.
“I’ll let you off with a warning this time, but don’t you ever in your life disrespect Rosemary Abrams. You got it?”
“I—can’t—breathe!” Preston struggled to say as he gasped for air.
“Do you understand what the fuck I said?”
Russell tightened his grip as Preston continued to struggle.
“Yes!”
When Russell released him, Preston fell to the ground, coughing, wheezing, and rubbing his neck. Russell marched toward Gayle and me angrily, with his eyes focused on me. He took both of my hands in his when he reached me and looked me over.
“Did he hurt you?” he asked, his voice filled with concern.
“No.”
“Good. You’re coming with me.”
He released one of my hands, and as we walked away, Gayle said, “What about me?”
Russell paused and swore under his breath before responding.
“My bad. Let’s go.”
She followed us, mumbling something under her breath. Preston struggled to get up as we passed, and she expressed concern.
“Are you okay?” I heard her ask behind me.
“Bitch, get the fuck away from me!” Preston shouted.
“Well, excuse me for being nice. He should’ve beaten your rude ass.”
Her footsteps quickened behind us until she caught up. We made it to Russell’s truck, and he opened the front passenger door, helping me inside while Gayle waited. When he went to open the back passenger door, she said, “I got it.”
I could feel the coolness in her tone, but I couldn’t blame her for feeling a way about riding in the back seat and what had transpired a few minutes ago. The fifteen-minute ride to drop her off was awkward as hell, . . . at least for me. Russell didn’t seem to give a damn.
We arrived at an apartment building on a decent side of town, and Russell parked in front. He rushed out of the car, but by the time he arrived at her door, Gayle had already gotten out, slamming the door.
“A blind man can see what’s going on here, so I won’t make a big deal about it, but I don’t appreciate you using me as a pawn to make her jealous,” Gayle said.
“That’s not—”
“Russell, don’t lie to me. The chemistry between us is in negative digits, and you couldn’t even eat your dinner because you were too focused on her and her date.
I’m not as stupid as you think. Thank you for allowing me to be your date for the evening.
The food and music were good, and I made some great connections, so I don’t feel like I wasted my time.
I hope you two work out your problems and wish you well. ”
She walked away, not giving him a chance to respond. I didn’t know Gayle, but I suddenly liked her attitude. Once she made it into the building safely, Russell slipped back behind the wheel and looked at me. He looked slightly amused, which caused me to laugh.
“I guess she told you,” I said, teasing him.
“She sure did. I didn’t know it was that obvious, but I’m not surprised. I can’t hide how I feel about you.”
“That stunt you pulled is what caused the argument between me and Preston.”
“Fuck that nigga. He’d be dead had he put his hands on you. I spared his life.”
“But you almost choked the life out of him.”
“Nah. If I wanted him to die, he would have.”
He finally pulled away from the curb. Now that Gayle was gone, so was the tension in the air. Although the situation probably pissed her off, I was glad she handled it with class. She was definitely a better woman than me, because I probably would’ve showed my entire ass.
“Where are you taking me?” I asked when I realized we weren’t headed toward my apartment community.
“Home.”
“Umm, I live in the other direction.”
“Your home is with me, Rose.”
“Russell—”
“That nigga might be on some bullshit, so I want you to stay with me tonight, just in case.”
“He’s not—”
“If I hadn’t shown up when I did, he would’ve put his hands on you. Don’t tell me what he won’t do, because you don’t even know his ass like that.”
I sighed but didn’t argue with him. I didn’t think Preston was crazy enough to be waiting for me at my apartment, but Russell had a point.
“Fine, but can we still hold off on having our conversation until tomorrow?”
“If that’s what you want.”
“I don’t have any clothes.”
“You won’t need them.”
My eyes were already on him, and he quickly glanced at me and winked. The way my body betrayed me didn’t make any sense. My nipples hardened, and my pussy thumped as I anticipated what he would do to my body tonight.
The last time I’d been in Russell’s home was a year ago, and I’d missed being surrounded by all things him—his aura, his scent, and the random items he didn’t put in their proper place. I missed everything.
As soon as we stepped inside, it felt as if the year we’d been apart never happened. Although I didn’t want to talk, our bodies communicated what needed to be said . . . We were meant for each other.
We were each other’s happy place, and that couldn’t be denied, but there was something about me that Russell didn’t know that could change everything. He deserved to know, but I’d been afraid to tell him. It was time I faced my fears, but I needed some love from my sisters first.
I had five sisters, and Rue was the oldest, followed by me, Daisy, Blossom, Sage, and Violet. Seven years ago, when I was almost eighteen, our parents were killed while on my father’s motorcycle. Someone in a pickup truck ran them off the road and was never found.
Rue took custody of us and assumed the motherly role, although she was only twenty-one. Had she not, we would’ve been placed into the system, and none of us wanted that. We were already close, but coping with such a tragic situation made us even closer.
When Rue and Rocky got married, they bought a house big enough for both our families, which included my sisters, Rue’s son, Briar, and Roman Jr., Rocky and Russell’s nephew, who they’d gained custody of after their younger brother died from pneumonia, and their grandparents, Mama and Papa Rush.
On top of that, Rue and Rocky’s daughter, Bliss, was born not long after we moved in.
At one point, there were thirteen of us living on the property that we’d affectionately named The Compound, but Russell was lucky enough to live in the in-law suite in the back of the property, and it wasn’t connected to the main house and had its own entrance.
The basement was set up like a three-bedroom apartment, so Daisy, Blossom, and I shared that space.
As crazy as it sounded, everyone seemed to love our arrangement, including me.
The only reason I moved into my own apartment was because I couldn’t stand being so close to Russell after we ended things.
I eased out of bed and eased open one of the drawers where I kept some of my clothes, and to my surprise, they were still there. After quietly dressing, I washed my face, then brushed my teeth with a new toothbrush I’d found under the sink.
On the way to the door, I grabbed my purse and phone.
Before leaving, I slid into a pair of my slides that were in the same place I’d left them a year ago and quietly left.
It was early, so everyone at the main house was probably asleep, but I still looked around cautiously as I headed to the end of the driveway.
I’d already requested a ride on the rideshare app, and I saw a car pull up as I neared the gate. I quickened my steps, and less than a minute later, I slid into the back seat, releasing the breath it seemed I’d been holding for the past few minutes.
“Good morning!” the female driver greeted excitedly.
“Good morning.”
It was too early for conversation, and I had too much on my mind to engage in small talk. She must have felt my vibe because the next time she spoke, we were in front of my apartment building.
“Here you go. Have a great day.”
“Thank you. You too.”
I got out and rushed into my building. Once I was on the elevator, I pressed the button for my floor and sent the text to Russell that I had saved in my notes.
Me:
Russ, please don’t be mad. I told you last night that we needed to talk. Even though we ended our night together, I still needed some time alone before having the conversation. Can you give me until noon? I promise I’ll be ready to talk when you get here.
After sending his message, I sent one to the group chat I had with Rue, Daisy, and Blossom.
Me:
Emergency meeting at my place at 10.
Once the message was sent, I lifted the neckline of my shirt and the strap of the sports bra I wore and slipped my phone underneath. The clutch purse I used for the gala was too small for my phone, and I needed a free hand to get my keys.
The elevator opened, and I stepped off as I retrieved the single key from the small side pocket of my purse. I made it to my door and let myself in. The door closed behind me, and I almost pissed my pants when I saw Preston standing behind the door.
Of course, my first instinct was to try to leave, but he slammed his fist against the door before stepping in front of it. This made me angry, so I dropped my purse and pointed my index finger at him aggressively.
“How did you get in here, and who told you where my apartment was?” I shouted.
“I have my ways. We need to talk,” Preston responded calmly.
“Nigga, I ain’t got shit to—”
He lifted a gun and put it to my forehead, and I shut up immediately.
“We need to talk. Go sit on the couch.”
I held my hands up in surrender and walked backward until I reached my couch. I sat down and held my hands together, while he stood hovering over me with the gun still on me.
“I don’t take too kindly to disrespect, and what you did last night was disrespectful as fuck.”
“Pres—”
“Shut the fuck up. You think I don’t know what it looks like when a woman is freshly fucked? Your lipstick was smeared, and you left the evidence all over his shirt. Even if I couldn’t see that shit with my own eyes, that nigga wanted me to know.”
“Preston, please. I—”
“I told you to shut the fuck up. You must think I’m a stupid nigga.
I peeped the way he looked at you all night and how you did your best to avoid looking at him.
You think I didn’t notice how y’all disappeared and reappeared at the same time?
When you told me your stomach hurt, I knew that shit was a lie, but I gave you the benefit of the doubt because I knew damn well you didn’t invite me to that shit and run off and fuck another nigga. Then you let him disrespect me—”
“I didn’t—”
He pressed the gun against my forehead, and I closed my eyes, just knowing this was the end for me. Preston didn’t seem crazy and barely had any edge to him. I didn’t peg him as a street nigga, so the fact that he broke into my apartment and was holding me at gunpoint blew my mind.
“It’s cool because if you don’t want to give me what I want, I don’t mind taking it.”
He pressed the gun harder against my forehead. I slowly opened my eyes and looked up at him. The evil in his eyes almost made him unrecognizable.
“What do you mean?” I asked nervously, voice quivering.
“I think you know what I mean. Stand up and take that shit off!”
I shook my head. “Shoot me.”
“What?”
“I’d rather die than fuck you. Shoot me!”
“Bitch!”
I felt the cold metal slam into my face, and everything went black.