Page 8 of His Sacrifice

“Though Tatum did say it was a coincidence that his name was Creed, and so is yours.” Murphy pushed off the door and sat in the chair next to mine. “So, am I going to have to lie to Tatum, too? Or are we letting Jada in on the rouse?”

“Just… don’t say anything right now. Let me handle it.”

Murphy scoffed, and Apollo shook his head. “This is going to be interesting,” Murphy mused.

Interesting indeed.

Chapter Four

Jada

“Murphy wants to know if you want anything from Mocha?”

I placed the last book from the stack in my arms on the shelf and tucked a stray strand of hair behind my ear. “Uh, I’ll take a large white chocolate mocha with an extra shot, iced. And a bacon and cheese scone.”

“Girl,” Tatum laughed. “I’m gonna get the same thing because that sounds good.” She eagerly typed on her phone and leaned against the register.

“How much do you want to bet he just gets us whatever he feels like getting us?” I asked.

Tatum shrugged. “I mean, it’s a possibility, but hopefully, since I typed out word for word what he needs to order, he should get it.”

“You should have just had him tell Monica that he wants two Jada’s.”

Tatum tucked her phone in her pocket. “What’s the fun in that?” she laughed. “I just wish I could be there to watch him fumble through the order.”

Having Mocha right next door was kismet. Who didn’t want to come browse books and then go get a coffee? Or vice versa.

Ten minutes later, Murphy walked through the front door with a tray of coffees and a white sack hanging from his fingertips. He did not look happy. “I am never asking you guys if you want coffee ever again. It was like reading a book to her. And if this shit is wrong, don’t tell me.”

Tatum grabbed the tray of drinks and pressed a kiss to his cheek. “Thank you, handsome. Jada thought for sure you were just going to get black coffee.”

Murphy scoffed and handed me the white bag. “Next time, that is exactly what I am going to do.”

Tatum looked down at the drinks and frowned. “Why did you get four drinks?”

Murphy grabbed his drink. “I’m not alone today.”

The bell above the door dinged, and my jaw dropped.

What were the odds that Creed would be back so soon?

Dark sunglasses covered his eyes, and he pushed them on top of his head. He scanned the shop, and his eyes fell on me.

“There a reason why you waited until after I got the coffees?”

I blinked rapidly and tried to figure out who Murphy was talking to.

“It was hell trying to find a place to park,” Creed muttered. “Hopefully, you just got me black coffee.”

Murphy grabbed another cup and held it out to Creed. “Didn’t think you’d want a mocha-coca whatever the fuck latte.”

How did my Creed know Murphy?

He wasn’t mine, but I certainly didn’t think he would know Murphy.

Creed wrinkled his nose and grabbed the coffee.

“Uhh–” I croaked.