Page 15 of Papa's Beloved

I wake with a start. I haven’t thought about that night for a long time. Nor the weeks that followed. I tried to push those memories into the farther reaches of my mind. Apparently, all it takes is Linden reappearing to make them resurface.

For the first time in a long time, I feel dirty. I remember those first few times Linden sent me to a client. I felt filthy. I stood in the shower for hours, the water long since gone, scrubbing my body.

Papa is beside me in bed. I look over to find him sleeping peacefully. I study his handsome face. He has a firm jaw and full lips. A straight nose. And when they’re open, the most beautiful deep brown eyes. It’s like looking into a pool of melted chocolate. He keeps his head shaved and I long to run my head over his smooth dome, but I don’t want to wake him up.

My eyes take in his broad shoulders and muscular chest. The sheet’s currently wrapped around his waist. I study the club’s colors tattooed on his left pec. My fingers itch to reach out and touch the smooth skin and trace the tattoo with my fingertips. I’ve done it a hundred times before. It soothes me.

One by one I study each tattoo that’s exposed. He has more under the covers. He has several works of art.

His eyes open.

“Are you watching me?”

“Yes,” I say with a smile.

“Do you want to talk about Liden?”

“There’s something I need to tell you.”

I take a deep breath and tell him about that night. At some point, he pulled me into his lap. He’s rubbing my back as tears stream down my face.

“You did what you had to, Nay. I don’t know how Linden made it out, but we’ll find him.

His phone rings, shattering the moment. I reach for it and answer without thinking about it.

“Hello.”

“Nay, it’s Wizard. We need an emergency translator.”

Papa takes the phone from my hand. I get up and go grab a set of clean clothes for Papa while he wraps up his conversation.When I get to the side of the bed, he stands. I hold up his jeans so he can step into them, then help him on with his shoes and boots so he’s ready when the call ends. If it’s an emergency, every second counts. He disconnects the call and pulls me to my feet, kissing me thoroughly before releasing me.

“Gotta go, babe. I’ll reach out as soon as I can.”

I nod my head. “You go do you, boo. I’m hanging around here today. Thought I’d grab a few things and move them up here.”

His eyes widen for the briefest moment before he nods his head. “Of course, Beloved. Move anything you want up here.”

He drops a kiss on lips, before pulling on his shirt and cut. Then hustling out the bedroom to wherever it is he’s headed.

I take a quick shower before pulling on a pair of his athletic shorts and a tee. Both are enormous on me, but they’re clean. And will work until I can get some things from my place.

I need to be close to him. I know he doesn’t mind staying at my place, but his place is nicer and it’s on the top floor. Not that I think Linden can get past the gate. Call me paranoid, but I feel safer in Papa’s apartment.

The trip to my apartment goes fast. I don’t see anyone in the foyer or hall. I realize I have no idea what time it is. I hit the wake button on my phone. The lock screen says it’s just after four in the morning. No wonder this place is so quiet.

I head straight to the bedroom so I can get dressed. One look in the mirror tells me I’m going to spend the next hour fucking with my hair. I didn’t have my bonnet last night, because I passed out.

I go to work putting product in my hair and working it through before plaiting my hair into twin French braids.

Satisfied with it until I can get a hair appointment, I dress in a pair of baggy jeans with rips in all the right places, a body hugging long-sleeved shirt, and high-heeled ankle boots.Satisfied with my appearance, I grab my suitcase and start filling it. I can fit a couple weeks’ worth of clothing in it.

It’s half-filled when there’s a knock on my door. I open it, to find Stormy, Lucia, Lily, Delta, Sabian, who’s due in three and a half months, and a very pregnant Olivia.

“Come in, ladies. You’re up early.”

“The triplets think they need to be up with their father at three in the morning to do cardio,” Sabian says, resting her hand on her belly.

“Can I get you ladies anything?”

---