Page 67 of Tainted

“I need to holla at you for a second.” Kenyon’s tone was still uneasy but a lot less demanding.

“Y’all can go in the back,” Jewel suggested.

I rose from the couch and led the way to Jewel’s bedroom, where Kenyon shut the door behind us. The way he busted in, I waited for an explanation or even him berating me for not answering. Instead, he wrapped me in his arms so tight that a whimper slipped from my mouth.

“Kenyon, what’s wrong?”

“I need you to get your stuff. Shaudi is taking you home.”

“Why?”

“That’s where I need you to be.”

“Does this have something to do with earlier?”

“I can’t get into that right now. Just go home for me.”

I wasn’t Brandy. My brain did the math even if Kenyon’s lips wouldn’t admit it, so I shoved him as hard as possible.

“I told you to leave it alone! You pissed him off, and now you want me to go home after he shot up a whole fuckin’ diner! Are you serious?”

“You need to be more worried about me being pissed off. You’re safe with Shaudi. Now get your stuff and go home.” My arms crossed over my chest as my eyes floated to the window. Anything to avoid looking at the desperation on his face.

“Please, Zara Nicole." His fingers trailed up my neck, lifting my chin and forcing our eyes to lock. “Do that for me.”

“Doesn’t seem like I have a choice.”

Breaking our connection, I began moving around the room, collecting my things before emotions I didn’t want Kenyon to see spilled over. It was triggering to be moved around like a chess piece and not told why. I didn’t have Mom’s smile and warm hugs to calm my fears this time. I was all on my own, strolling to the living room.

“I’m going home. I’ll call you guys tomorrow,” I announced.

They both had questions I’d get an earful about later. Neither was brave enough to ask, with Kenyon’s domineering figure lingering by the door, waiting to escort me out.

“Shaudi, this is Nova,” he smirked at the panic in my eyes, curious how he’d introduce me. “She’s hard-headed with a mouth like a sailor. If she gives you any problems, call me,” Kenyon explained.

“We aren’t going to have any of those, are we, Ms. Nova?” Shaudi asked.

“If we do, it’s his fault,” I sassed, tossing my thumb toward Kenyon.

“This nigga’s already on edge. Please don’t make my job harder by giving Shaudi problems,” Nolan added.

“What’s in it for me?” I asked, but Kenyon cut into the conversation, grabbing my neck and pulling me into him.

The caress of his lips glided across mine before he took my bottom lip into his mouth.

“Aite nigga, let me take her home or get a room,” Shaudi clowned, but Kenyon didn’t care.

“Behave, and I’ll make it up to you,” Kenyon pecked my lips one last time before turning to Shaudi, “Guard her with your life.”

I glanced at Shaudi, who hadn’t said more than a few words to me since we got in the car. This was my first time meeting him, and he had this quiet intensity about him, the kind of presence that made you think he could take on the world without breaking a sweat. I couldn’t decide if that made me feel better or worse.

Finally, I broke the tension. “So, you always babysit Kenyon’s people?”

Shaudi glanced over at me wearing a smirk. “Just making sure you're safe.”

I rolled my eyes but didn’t push it further. I wasn’t going to win that argument, not with Kenyon or Shaudi. As I stepped out of the car, Shaudi’s his large frame loomed behind me as we walked toward my apartment.

Fishing my keys out of my bag, I unlocked the door and pushed it open. Shaudi stepped in before me, moving with a quiet efficiency that was almost unsettling. He scanned the living room, then headed toward the hallway, checking each room like he was trained for this.

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