Page 143 of Tainted

Kross ran a hand over his jaw like he weighed every word before speaking.

“Maturity,” he groaned like it killed him to answer my question. “Your costumes don’t fit the same. Getting up the pole isn’t as fluid. There’s a softness to your body now. Small changes that only a baby can bring.”

I swallowed hard, trying to process everything he said and every little detail I had overlooked.

“Keyes is inexperienced in paying attention to women beyond a nut,” he explained, finally looking at me, his eyes softer than before. “He sees what he wants to see. But you know the difference when you’ve lived a little longer and paid attention to women.”

His grip on the gun loosened, his face torn between shock and frustration. “He already lost one baby. I can’t take another from him, but this isn’t over.”

28

Kenyon

Being in a relationship wasn’t hard, but it was just certain shit that you couldn’t do anymore, like walking in the house at four am. Especially when I could go into detail about why. I could see the living room light from the driveway, so I knew Zara would be pissed. I pulled a blunt from my jacket and sparked it up. I needed to relax before I walked into the house to answer fifty questions, even if I deserved it.

After flicking the blunt away, I exited the car and headed inside to get my lashing.

“I know it’s late. I fuck-” I began explaining until I rounded the corner.

Kross was seated on the coffee table with a gun in his hand while Zara sat frozen on the couch, her red eyes wide like a deer caught in headlights.

“Nigga have you lost your fuckin’ mind! Put that shit up!” My voice came out rough, barely able to hide the rage building inside me.

Kross didn’t look at me. His focus was entirely on Zara.

“We have a problem.” He spoke low, calm, but I knew that tone.

“What kind of fuckin’ problem has you sitting with a gun on my girl?”

“The short version is, your girl’s mom did some bad business with John Jackson. He called in reinforcements to handle it, but it was too late. They disappeared to witness protection, and now she’s back and conveniently in love with you.”

“Don’t sayconvenientlylike this was some plan I cooked up!” Zara yelled.

“Oh, and her hormones are raging because there is a chance she’s pregnant. Good job,” Kross said, patting my shoulder.

My head was spinning, trying to process what the fuck Kross shared. It was too much at once to consider that everything I thought we built was bullshit. That of all people, Babygirl was playing me and now carrying my seed. I didn’t know how to feel about any of that.

“Unc told me at dinner. John called him after he spent time with your girl at the police station. Still sure she doesn't know shit?” Kross explained before asking.

“Wait a minute. Is that why you didn’t say anything when I asked who he was?” Zara forgot that it wasn’t just me and her here, springing to her feet. “No wonder he looked at me that way! Every questionJohnasked was centered around you! I came home and told you that! It sounds like it’s you who has me roped into your shit!” she ranted, jabbing her finger in my face with tears in her eyes.

“Put that finger in my face again, and I’ll bite it off.”

“You fuckin’ knew! That’s why you were so pressed to help me on Shana’s birthday. So eager to know all about her. Pretending you gave a fuck about me!”

“Just like you, I didn’t know shit, so you need to calm down.”

“Fuck you!” Zara huffed.

“He did already, so now the question is, how much do you know,” Kross continued.

I quickly interrupted Kross with, “Nothing,” but how her eyes narrowed at me suggested she was suspicious.

“You sure about that?”

“If I said it, I’m sure,” I shot back coldly. “So put that fuckin’ gun up for now. If anybody’s pulling a trigger, it’s me.”

But Kross's expression remained stubborn and unyielding, his jaw clenched, barely concealing his anger.

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