Page 60 of Beast: Part Two

I don’t answer, instead I turn around and head for the basement. I love my boys, but I needed a break. I’d much rather spend my time with my two new favorite people.

“Papa Priest,” Gabe shouts as soon as he sees me. He and Emory are downstairs in the living area of the basement playing board games.

Emory waves when she sees me.

“What are you doing?”

“We’re playing Candy Land. Do you want to play?” Gabe asks.

I take a seat down on the floor beside him. Emory has Frenchie in her lap. Hydra, Cerberus, and Echidna are all surrounding Gabe. It seems like Ari’s guard dogs have chosen a new owner.

“Yeah, I’ll play.”

“Me and Charlie want to join too,” Fem says stepping into the room. She takes a seat beside me, placing Charlie in my lap. He looks up at me and smiles.

“Yay,” Gabe sings. He hands out the color pieces for all of us and then helps Emory gather the cards.

“It’s going to be alright,” Fem leans into my ear and speaks.

I nod but don’t respond. At the rate everyone is going, I can’t make that promise. We need to handle that excommunication order and fast. I don’t think we can survive much longer living in the same house.

chapter fifteen

Apologies

Summer

“You mean to tell me, not only is he fine as hell, but he’s wise too?”

I sigh and roll my eyes. “Trina, will you please stay focused?”

It’s been hours since the incident in the hallway. After Brooklyn calmed me down, Hawk walked in and apologized for his hurtful words. He explained he was speaking out of frustration. Although I accepted his apology and don’t hold what he said against him, his words still hurt like hell.

“Look, Zaddy is right.”

I place my hand to my forehead at her calling Priest Zaddy. After telling Trina all about the hallway incident, I then told her about the conversation Priest had with me in the kitchen.

“You guys don’t understand,” I argue. “Gabriel is vulnerable right now. Telling him he scared me will send him off the deep end. I don’t want to trigger him.”

Truth is, he already has one foot out the door due to me being shot. I’m trying to prove to this man that he needs to stick around. That I am someone he needs and wants in his life. Telling him I’m afraid of him is going to give him more ammunition to run.

“No,” Trina says with a chuckle. “You don’t want him to run for good.”

Have I mentioned how much I hate how well my best friend knows me? Sinking back in the chair in my borrowed bedroom, I tuck my knees to my chest.

“Maybe you’re right. But that’s a good reason to not tell him.”

“Girl, coddling his feelings in order to make him stay is probably the most basic bitch thing I’ve ever heard. That’s the shit my mama did for my daddy for fifteen years. And guess what, he still left. If baby daddy is going to love you correctly, he needs to know how to treat you.”

That’s easy for her to say. James doesn’t have a condition that requires her to be patient with him. I know at the end of the day Gabriel would never hurt me. Even with the incident in the kitchen he wasn’t intending to hurt me. It’s not like I’m trying to protect an abusive man.

“Funny, that’s exactly what it sounds like.”The thought pops up in my head. I shake it away.

“I understand what you’re saying.”

“You don’t,” she says with a laugh. “I can hear it in your tone. But eventually you will realize what me and my man are saying to you will help.”

I snort in laughter but quickly quiet down. Looking over to the bed, I check to see if I woke Gabe. He’s still sound asleep.

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