Chapter 91
Dio talked the entire way to the hospital, and it all sounded like a blur.
Kareem and I had just made it official, and the game had already started with a trial.
I was so angry I wished the bullet had gone through Papi instead of him.
When we pulled up in front of the hospital, Dio turned to look at me. “You good, Shorty?” he asked.
I wiped my tears and slowly nodded. Seeing Kareem come out of the hospital with a bloody shirt and face, it was clear he was no good.
My heart ached for him because he already felt alone, and now it seemed everything he said was true.
When he got in, he didn’t look at me. Instead, he stared straight ahead.
I reached out to hold his hand, but he didn’t respond. “Baby, talk to me,” I whispered.
I noticed Samara glancing at me from the corner of her eye.
I understood they didn’t want me to say anything, but how could I lie to a man I was falling for about his brother?
Guilt gnawed at me throughout the ride. When we arrived at my house, Kareem stepped out, and I did the same.
Dio rolled down the window and said, “I’m here if you need me, my nigga.
I’m just a call away, twin,” before rolling up the window and driving off into the slushy snow.
When Kareem and I got inside my place, I turned to him, “Do you want to talk about it?”
Still, he said nothing. He stared at me as I stared at him. That’s when he held his hand up. When I glanced at my necklace dangling in his hand, I had no words. I didn’t even realize I lost it. “I-I—”
He closed his eyes as tears rolled down his cheeks. “Morgan, I’m asking one time and one time only. I swear I’m not those other niggas. My brother is fucking dead!” he barked, making me jump. “Did you shoot my fucking brother?” he asked.
I stood there because, although I didn’t shoot him, I felt as if I did.
Kareem was hurting so bad, and I knew it didn’t matter what I said; he wouldn’t believe me.
I knew if I was honest about Samara shooting him, he and Dio would be at war again because I’m sure Dio was going to protect Samara at all costs.
She was the princess with protection; I was merely a princess lost.
I closed my eyes, wishing it was all a fucking dream. I wanted to be free from Stone Castle and out in Loch Ness, so this was the price I had to pay. I sucked in a deep breath as my watery eyes opened to him. “Yes,” I said.
I was taking this L because it was me who needed to keep my chin up.
I was not only protecting Samara, but a newly found relationship that Kareem had built.
I knew he would need people who cared about him because after this, he was done with me.
“He was about to shoot Paige, baby, I was protecting us. I didn’t know it was your brother. I’m sorry,” I cried.
I moved closer to him, and he moved backward.
Kareem’s eyes were empty. They didn’t have a bit of emotion in them.
He dropped my necklace on the floor and walked right out the door, saying not a single word to me.
I wanted to run behind him and try to explain again and again until he understood, but there was no use because his heart was broken.
Now, so was mine. I clenched my stomach and cried because I had saved the lone wolf but was now left alone.