Page 66 of Tainted

“Stay here until I say otherwise.”

“Where are you going?” She repeated, as I breezed past her.

“I gotta handle something.”

“For Nova,” Sydney’s mouth twitched, trying to conceal her emotions. “Asha told me you were at Route 66 earlier, grinning in her face.”

I couldn’t tell if Sydney’s anger was rooted in jealousy about me or her not grinning atNovatonight.

“I don’t have time to get into that right now. Just stay here for me. Please.”

“What is it with this fuckin’ girl? Did you fuck her?” Syd yelled, following me downstairs.

“The girl that has you running around losing your mind. You tell me.”

“That’s sex and different from what you’re doing right now!” She rationalized.

“No, I didn’t fuck her, but I wanted to.”

My laughter had Sydney back on her feet standing before me cursing and jousting her finger in my fuckin’ face.

“Guess that explains why you’re racing out of the house to start a war over some pussy you haven’t even whiffed. Never thought I’d see the day.”

“Who the fuck are you talking to?” My turn was so sharp that Sydney stumbled backward with wide eyes. “Don’t let your feelings get you in some shit you ain’t ready for. Stay here until I say otherwise.”

Sydney waited until I was across the room with my hand on the knob to deliver her final remark.

“I hope you’re done saving her by Friday night so you can escort me to Dad’s dinner like you promised.” Her tone was dismissive as she plopped back down on the couch and picked up her phone. “I’ll pick up your suit.”

11

Zara

“Damn, who is banging on your door like that?” Brandy asked.

“It better not be your man, or I’m cursing his giraffe neck ass out,” Jewel retorted damn near making me choke on my drink.

“Get in line,” I muttered, causing Brandy to sit up from the floor.

“I hope it’s a nigga beating down your door so I can talk shit to you.”

Jewel dragged herself from the couch but wasn’t moving fast enough for whoever was knocking. “Alright! I’m coming, damn!” she yelled, raising on her toes to peer out the peephole.

I caught a glimpse of a smirk as she unlocked the door and pulled it open.

“It’s a nigga. Just not mine,” she sang as Keyes and Nolan let themselves in without invitation.

“Where is your phone? I’ve been calling you!” My face stilled in confusion trying to figure out who he was questioning, especially with that tone. “You can’t open your mouth now?”

“It’s better for you if I don’t because who are you talking to?”

“Route 66 got shot up tonight,” Nolan replied, adding context to Kenyon’s attitude because he was too worked up to explain himself.

Brandy sat up in shock while Kenyon and I were still engaged in an intense stare-down.

“Is Miss. Margie okay? She gave me my first job at fifteen. That’s so fucked up!” Jewel gasped.

“Who the fuck would shoot up Route 66?” Brandy said, but everybody in the room seemed to have an idea except her.

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