Page 2 of Dali: The Demolisher

“And you three,” Carolyn, her mother, said, “come with me to the kitchen. I think we need to have another talk about the difference between you all and Kas.”

Kennessy groaned. “Ma,please. It was an accident. She jumped in front of Everett an—”

Lincoln turned swiftly, and Kassadee’s feet kicked his head. She covered her mouth and giggled but immediately regretted it when her cheek stung. The pain medicine they’d given her hadn’t fully taken effect. It was beginning to numb the pain, but she still felt it slightly.

“I know you are not about to fix your mouth to defend what that boy did to my princess. To your sister.”

Kennessy’s head lowered in sadness. “But, Dad, it really was an accident.”

“I don’t care. You’re your sister’s protector. You better be glad Dali was out there to handle him, otherwise, I was going to knock you and Ev out because you let him hurt my baby.”

Not saying another word, Lincoln charged down the hall with long, sure steps.

“Come on, baby,” Carolyn said, wrapping her arm around his shoulders. “Let’s let him get her settled.”

Kennessy nodded, looking back toward Kassadee’s room as they walked in the opposite direction.

“Uh, Mrs. Smith?” Dali called hesitantly.

“Yes, baby?”

“Is it okay if I go make sure Mr. Smith doesn’t need any help with Kas?”

Carolyn’s eyes shifted from Dali to the hall as a slow smile spread her lips. She gave him a soft nod.

“Go on, son. But come back soon. I need to get you boys fed before I send you home.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Dali agreed before rushing down the hall.

At that moment, he didn’t care about food, going home, or anything else. The only thing on his mind was making sure Kassadee was okay, and he wouldn’t leave until he was sure.

1

Dali

Twenty-One Years Later

Not even sloppyhead from my favorite stripper would dull the anxiety of us being at this club for Germany’s pre-bachelor party. He was playing a dangerous game being here. Twila told him she didn’t want him going to a strip club or Vegas for his bachelor party. That’s why they’d agreed to a joint bachelor and bachelorette party so she could watch him. Now, I wouldn’t say Twila’s paranoia and rules weren’t warranted because Germanyhadcheated on her, but I felt like if she had to go to such extremes with her boundaries to be able to trust him, she shouldn’t have taken him back.

Germany straddled the line between wanting to assure her that she could trust him and wanting to do his own thing. I could respect him wanting to do what he wanted, but at the same time, it was now his responsibility to protect his wife. That didn’t just mean physically—it meant emotionally protecting her heart too. My conflict came from knowing that truth. A lot of our family, his mother included, didn’t want Germany and Twila togetherbecause their relationship had been toxic. I felt that way, but I wanted to support him through this journey of becoming a better man.

That’s why I was here instead of at home resting knowing I had a long day tomorrow. He decided at the last minute to come here to celebrate getting married with his guys, and though I knew he didn’t have any ill intentions, I worried about how this would play out if Twila found out we were here. When I realized Loco’s wet mouth and long tongue wouldn’t be a good enough distraction to keep me from worrying about how the night would end, I gently pushed her off my semi-erect dick.

“Is… everything okay?” she asked, stroking me with her palm.

“Yeah. I’m about to call it a night,” I said, going into my pocket to retrieve a few bills for her.

“Already?”

Not bothering to confirm what I’d just told her, I handed her the money and put my dick back in my boxers before zipping and buttoning my pants. As I stood, I looked around the red, dimly lit room for Germany. As I suspected, he wasn’t in here. Cursing under my breath, I said a silent prayer that he hadn’t ducked off into one of these private rooms with a stripper.

While some men may have spent their bachelor party sowing the last of their royal oats, Germany wouldn’t have that luxury. The last time Twila thought he was cheating, she keyed his car, busted the windows, and flattened his tires.

I made my way out of the smoky room in search of him. Though I felt like it would be pointless, I pulled my phone out and gave him a call. Not to my surprise, he didn’t answer. The moment I made it to the main room and my eyes locked on Twila, my heart stopped beating.

“Ah shit.” Taking steps backward, I hoped she didn’t see me. “She must got an air tag on this nigga.”

Turning swiftly, I headed back to the room I’d just come out of as I called Germany’s number again. Our family was scattered all across the room while his friends were huddled around one table. I made my way over to my brother first.

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