Page 178 of Tainted

“Let’s go before you change your mind about leaving the house.”

Before we left the house, I grabbed the keys to my grandfather's old ride—the '69 Chevelle. I’d been working on that car for years, ever since it was handed down to me, but I finally finished. Every piece of chrome was polished, the engine purred like a beast, and tonight was the perfect time to take it out.

When we pulled up to Utopia, the bass from the music rattled through the parking lot. It was a typical Saturday night, packed like always, but tonight had a different vibe. Rajah was the star of the show, and we were all here to support her.

I felt eyes on me as we walked in. Women glanced my way, some bold enough to hold their stare, but none moved. Not like they used to. I had Zara on my arm now, and that alone seemed to keep them at a distance.

And I liked it that way.

We found our crew near the VIP, and Nolan was already nursing a drink while Shaudi chatted with a new dancer.

“How’d you get this nigga out the house sis,” Shaudi asked as Zara greeted everyone.

“Keyesknows who the boss is,” Zara joked.

“He wasn’t letting you out of the house without him,” Nolan added because he knew me well.

“It worked,” Zara shrugged. “Can I see Rajah, or do I need an escort?”

I raked my bottom lip between my teeth, pulling Zara into me. My grasp was firm but gentle enough to make her laugh.

“Don’t get in front of these nigga’s and forget who the real boss is,” I warned.

“Okay,Daddy. I’ll be back. If Brandy gets here, text me.”

She excused herself to check on Rajah before she took the stage, but it wasn’t long before I spotted Sydney making her way through the crowd. Her tall frame was hard to miss, and her bold style always made her stand out.

“Hey, Keyes,” she said, greeting me with a friendly hug.

“Wassup Syd.”

“I’m surprised to see you around these parts tonight.”

“Zara dragged me,” I admitted.

“Well, I couldn’t miss Rajah’s Last Rodeo.” A theme that Zara helped curate when Rajah decided she was hanging up the floss, “I know she’s going to show out tonight.”

“I bet yo’ ass couldn’t.”

“Preparing for this campaign dinner has me stressed. What better way to unwind than with ass and titties.”

Sydney signaled the bottle girl, ready to start her night when I noticed Zara twisting and turning her way through the crowd. Sydney waved with a polite smile, greeting Zara. It wasn’t icy, but it wasn’t warm either. Considering our complicated past, that was their relationship, and I couldn’t ask for more.

“Back so soon.”

“Rajah kicked me out.You’re making me emotional, Freshie, and I don’t need this shit,” Zara mocked.

The music kicked up, and I slipped my arm around Zara’s waist, pulling her closer to me. I didn’t care who was watching, and from the way she leaned into me, neither did she.

Zara

“Where the hell is Brandy?” I asked, sipping on my third drink. Jewel had shown up, but we were still one musketeer short.

“Earlier, she was talking about staying home. I think she’s in her feelings about Misa.”

“Probably, but that’s all the more reason to come out. Fuck her,” I groaned, stealing a glance at Kenyon over my shoulder.

He looked more relaxed than when we arrived, likely because of the shots I forced him to take.

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