I forced a smile and picked up my water glass, trying to keep my hands from shaking. I knew Donte was going to show his whole ass the next time he saw me.
“Long story,” Isaidcoolly. “I’ll tell you over drinks. Or not. It might just be easier to call it a night—unless you want to come to my place?” Ibitmy bottom lip.
Hesmiled. “I’d like that. But let me hit the restroom real quick, okay?”
“Sure,” I nodded. West was what I needed. Something new.
A clean slate.
When he came back, his jaw was tight, the twinkle in his eye replaced by something hard and angry.
“Hey,” Isaidslowly, eyes narrowing. “You good?”
Hesat,letout a breath, andrubbedthe back of his neck. “Look, Eshe... I think you’re great. Really. But uh…”
Here we go.
“…That guy from earlier? He cornered me in the bathroom. Said some wild shit. Threatened me. Told me to stay away from you.”
He waited for me to say something. Anything. But I froze. Who does that? Confronts another man—with his wife right there?
“I don’t want any problems. I’m new here, just got this job. I’m trying to get settled. I can’t afford drama. Maybe we should just... be friends.”
Be friends?
I blinked. Heat rose up my neck and exploded in my chest like wildfire.
Heplacedthree bills on the table andwalkedaway before I could even fake a reply.
I sat there alone, hands trembling, heart banging against my ribs like it was trying to punch its way out. Not because I was hurt.
Because I was furious.
This man—this motherfucker. Donte’s asswasn’tgoing to let me have any peace until I finallygotfed up anddidsomething reckless.
“I’m gonna kill him.”
And this time, I didn’t mean metaphorically.
Chapter eleven- Eshe
What the fuck.
My soul damn nearascendedfrom my body when the light beside the sofa clicked on right after I stepped inside. My heart rateplummetedback to normal when I realized it was only Donte.
His visitwasnot wanted—but expected. I knew he’d show up after seeing me with West.
Lawd help me, I whispered internally. I wished he would go away. That thought echoed in my head, but my pussypurred. Like always. She’s always happy to see this wicked-ass man. Her and my brain neverseemedto agree when it came to him.
Kicking off my shoes, I wondered if he’d let me ignore his presence long enough to shower and eat. Iwasstarving—I’d missed lunch because my bosshad been ridingmy ass all day.
I doubted it. When Dontehadsomething on his chest, heexpectedyou to listen until hegotit off. No waiting allowed.
Rolling my head on my neck, Ipreparedfor battle and fought the urge to cross myself against the evil thathad decidedto invade my home.
Iwasn’teven Catholic. I needed to stop playing with white Jesus. But really—I needed all the help I could get.
Hestarted in onme as soon as I crossed the threshold into the living room.
