Chapter 13
Vory had been assisting her since Able was killed, but in more ways than one, he was nothing like Able.
Macie had never been the most patient, and she wasn’t in the business of training anyone.
She understood that some things a person could be taught, and some things were innate.
Her connection with Able had lasted for so long because he shared the same mind, and always understood where she was coming from.
Vory asked too many questions. Aggravation raced through her as she placed her car in park, and smudged her blunt.
Macie stepped out of her car clothed in a designer black/white polka dot sheer blouse tucked inside fitted black leather pants, and black stiletto red bottom heels.
After serving two fiends, Vory turned to walk towards Macie with a smile. “What’s goin’ on, boss lady?”
“Cut the shit,” Macie said with a mug on her face. “Why the fuck haven’t you handled that situation?” She asked, pissed.
Vory rubbed the back of his neck. “About that,” he began. “Gettin’ close to her may take more time. Ol’ girl work at the fuckin’ prison. Nigga ain’t tryna get hemmed up, and–”
“Do I look like I wanna hear all these fuckin’ excuses?” Macie quizzed calmly, but swiftly grabbed her gun from her waistband. “Go kill that bitch today! I don’t give a fuck about how you gotta do it!” Macie seethed. “‘Cause if she not dead by morning, I’ma erase you my fuckin’ self,” she seethed.
Vory shook his head. “Macie, I think it’ll be best for you to find anotha nigga to do it. This shit way too fuckin’ risky–”
Pst…Pst…Pst
Without hesitation, Macie killed Vory, then watched as he hit the pavement before walking away. She was tired of him playing in her face, and she couldn’t stand a nigga who didn’t have what it took to make shit happen no matter the risks.
“Worthless ass nigga,” Macie stated after getting back in her car.
She flipped down the visor just above her head, and fixed her eyelash.
She backed out of the alley like she'd just finished running another errand.
It was a cold world, and this shit came with the territory.
Anyone who was truly in these lanes, they knew what they had signed up for.
Macie grabbed her phone and called Sienna because she was sick of her ass too.
“Hello,” Sienna answered quietly as she walked out of Monae’s room, and quickly made her way to her own.
“Your ass better have some good news for me ‘cause your car been parked at my son’s house for the last week,” Macie stated, annoyed already with the sound of Sienna’s voice.
Sienna quickly closed her door, then inhaled slowly. “My car has been parked here because Monae and I now live with Monroe,” Sienna revealed, unable to hide the excitement in her voice. “He said he wanted us to be close to him,” Sienna lied because the truth would get her killed quick.
Macie didn’t respond right away.
“Hello?” Sienna said, wondering had the line been disconnected.
“Bitch, I heard you,” Macie shot flatly. “Have you fucked him yet?” Macie asked.
“No, I haven’t,” Sienna told the truth. “It’s mostly been about Monae. He’s been trying to get to know her.”
Macie listened, but couldn’t help wondering why he hadn’t called, or stopped by her house to see her yet.
She couldn’t help but think about how the secret she’d kept from her son all these years had affected him mentally and emotionally.
Despite the facts, it didn’t worry her enough to reach out to him first. She knew when Monroe was ready to talk to her, he knew where she was.
“I hope your ass been doing your kegel exercises ‘cause you need to have another baby,” Macie informed her.
Sienna's entire body stiffened. “What!” Sienna was flabbergasted.
“You heard what the fuck I said, bitch. You have two months to get pregnant by my son, ’cause if you don’t–”
“Okay, Macie…but,” Sienna was hesitant.
“Two months,” Macie reiterated, then disconnected the call.
As soon as Sienna dropped the phone on her bed, she heard Monroe's footsteps jogging up the stairs. There was no time for her to wallow in defeat, she was in deep water, and it was sink or swim. Monroe had been gone for a couple of days, and for all she knew, he was with the same woman who’d been distraught when she came to Monroe’s house unannounced.
Lord, please give me some peace of mind.
Sienna closed her eyes and inwardly prayed.
Once done, she took a deep breath, and walked down the hall that led to Monroe’s room.
His door wasn’t fully closed, and just before Sienna pushed the door open, she stopped herself, remembering things weren’t the same as they were years ago.
Tap…Tap…Tap
She stood there for a moment waiting for Monroe to invite her in, or at least come to the door and acknowledge her.
A whole minute went by, and she was still standing there.
Pushing the door open a little more, she stuck her head in, and that’s when she heard the water from the shower running.
The war raged within her because there was a part of her that wanted to walk away and give him a little space, but the other side of her wanted to walk in and make herself comfortable in his bed.
Not because of malicious intent, but because she really just wanted to be close to him again.
Sienna wanted to lay on top of his chest, and listen to his heartbeat like she used to do when he came home late.
She wanted to shower him with all the love she’d yearned to give him for the last decade.
Uncertainty.
Distance.
There was so much that was unfamiliar when she was in Monroe’s presence, it left her dizzy with resentment.
Fuck this shit, Sienna thought, letting herself in his room.
She closed the door behind herself, and exhaled all the nervous and timid energy she had been carrying around.
Sienna padded across the plush carpet, taking a seat at the bottom of his bed, but was sure to face the ensuite.
She wanted to see Monroe when he walked out… just her, apart from their daughter.
Sienna smoothed her hand over the comforter that lay on his California king bed, while her eyes roamed around his room with admiration.
This room…This house...This life... It messed her up because this was supposed to be her life, but somehow she’d ended up with front row seats to the show.
Instead she occupied his space like a visitor, watching another woman's fingerprints settle into places she'd only been able to fantasize about. The comforter was so soft, and it smelled so fucking good. It was like the perfect mix of grown man and woman energy. And for the first time since being in Monroe’s home, she felt like a trespasser.
That revelation sat on her chest like a burden too heavy for her to carry.
Her eyes scanned every inch of Monroe’s room. She noticed several pictures of Monroe and this woman, pretty boxes of roses that came from Grand Fleur, and that’s when it hit her–his woman had decorated his room.
“A’yo,” Monroe said smoothly, but Sienna had scared the shit out of him.
For a split second, neither of them moved. That is until Sienna burst out laughing, knowing her presence was unexpected.
“I see you finally made it back home, huh?” She quizzed innocently as her eyes scanned his physique.
Water beads slid down his tattoo-covered chest and arms, and ran straight into the black towel that was wrapped around his waist. He should have come out naked as far as Sienna was concerned, because the towel did nothing to conceal that big ass dick print and he was soft.
Sexy ass nigga, Sienna was mesmerized instantly because in her case old habits died hard.
“Yea, I had some shit to tend to,” Monroe said, walking to his dresser to grab his lounging clothes.
“Thanks for getting Monae a phone. If it wasn’t for her letting me know she spoke to you, I would have been worried,” Sienna said, trying to pull some conversation out of him.
Monroe chuckled.
“Did I say something funny?” Sienna asked.
“Hell yea,” Monroe replied, sliding his boxer briefs on, before removing the towel. “Worried about me for what?”
“I can’t worry about you now?” Sienna asked.
“I’ma always be good. You know this,” Monroe stated, his words were loaded as he reminded her.
Sienna nodded. “You right. But I’ma always worry.”
“It’s late,” Monroe said, looking at his phone, then back at Sienna. “What you doin’ up?”
“I went to the store this morning and got your favorite ice cream,” Sienna said, biting down on her bottom lip. It was something she did when she was nervous. “You want some?”
Monroe put on some designer sweats, then grabbed his deodorant. “That’s cool,” he said. “I’ll meet you in the kitchen.” He told her, choosing not to directly address her coming into his room without being invited.
Sienna nodded, knowing she’d intruded, but still she wasn’t sorry about it. She just needed to find another way to get through his tough exterior.
“Okay,” she said, rising to her feet. “You want some cookies too?”
Monroe chuckled again. “Nah. Just ice cream is fine,” he said, watching her as she walked out.
He slid on a fresh Polo t-shirt and sprayed himself with his Tom Ford cologne, grabbed his phone, and sat on the side of his bed. Promise was still fresh on his mind, but since it was so late, he texted her instead of calling and breaking her rest.
Just made it to the crib, Doll. Missin’ my baby already.
Monroe hit send then let out a deep sigh.
Promise has consumed his whole heart, and the peace she provided for him was more than a necessity; his survival was connected to it–to her.
However, life had become a lot more complicated.
Rising from the bed, he put his phone in his pocket, and made his way downstairs.