Page 20 of With Wine Comes War

I feel like you’re fucking with me.

AK

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I had an easy response to that.

From: ROMAN

Reply to: ALEX

Subject: You too huh?

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Ditto!

RK

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Chapter 6

ALEX

Isat there in a daze for what felt like forever after I sent that email. I ran my fingers over my mouth. I could still feel the sensation of his lips on mine and his tongue tangling with my own. That is not the act of a man who wants to hurt me. So why is my mind still playing tricks on me? Were those drugs so strong that they altered my brain permanently? I’ve got to figure this out. This is going to be the longest short driveof my life.

Does he think he can just go around assaulting me like that after what I’ve been through, though? That kiss literally took my breath away. I didn’t even know how I got back in the car; I don’t remember getting in at all. I don’t have time to think about this right now. I shook off the kiss as best I could and gripped the steering wheel, leaning my forehead on it, breathing steadily until I could safely say I was fine to drive.

I pulled into Ella’s driveway and climbed the four cracked cement steps. I carefully opened the rickety screen door and gently knocked on the interior one. It was so quiet in the neighborhood today. I felt a little paranoid and didn’t want to make too much noise or draw attention to myself. With everything that happened in the past, from that kid pulling a knife on me right here at the house, to the police harassing me every time I’ve shown up here, and then getting attacked at the club, I’ve been pretty paranoid that everyone’s after me. Maybe they think I’m out of commission now. Hopefully it stays that way, and they’ll all leave me the hell alone.

I was surprised when Darius answered the door even though Ella said he’d be here. He’s usually out and about when I come over. Today, however, he was at the door with a kind greeting for me.

“Hi Ms. Alex. It’s good to see you. I’m sorry to hear about your mom.” I wasn’t expecting that and swallowed the lump in my throat to hold back the emotion.

“Thank you, Darius. It’s good to see you too.” He stepped to the side to let me in, and I hesitantly went in for a hug to which he reached around with one arm to reciprocate. I could hear Ella in the background yelling.

“Boy, you get outta the way and invite that girl in. Where’re your manners?” We both laughed and I left my arm around Darius’s back as we moved into the kitchen.

“Hi Ella. I assure you he has perfect manners.” I patted Darius before returning my arm to my side and being pulled into one of those great hugs from Ella. I gave him a wink and we all went out to the living room to chat.

I decided to get right into the visit. “Ella. How’s Grant working out for you?” I turned toward her pulling one foot up underneath me and concentrated on whatever she was about to tell me so I could get a good read on the situation and decide what my next move would be. I couldn’t leave this all for Grant to do on his own.

“Really good, and the rest of the neighborhood likes him too. He just don’t have your spunk.”

Ha! Is that what we’re calling blatant disregard for personal safety? I laughed and thought that she might be insinuating that they would rather work with me. I should probably figure out a way to get back on this project without having a mental breakdown in the process.

“Thank God. We don’t want to overwhelm this place.” I changed the subject for a minute because I was very curious to know more about Darius. He was not a troubled kid, and he was pretty smart. I wanted to know what it is he’s doing in this neighborhood. Does he have a job, is he going to school? Is there some way I can help?

I turned my attention toward Darius, reached over and laid my hand on top of his. He looked at me confused until I asked him, “Darius, tell me something about you I don’t know. What would you like to be doing with your life?” I’m sure he had aspirations. I mean, everyone does, no matter how big or small they may be, and I just love pulling them out of people.

He looked at Ella surprised. Maybe it was that someone was taking an interest in him. I knew that look well. I wore it on my own face when I met Grant for the first time.

“Well, I never really thought about it before. It hasn’t come up.”

I squeezed his hand and asked more leading questions. “Are you in school or do you want to go to school?” He shook his head and said, “Nah, school wasn’t really my thing, and I can’t afford to go to college. It’s too damn expensive and they ain’t got nothin’ I want to learn.”

“Well, school isn’t for everyone. I didn’t exactly go to school for what I do. I got a business degree in college, but my Real Estate license is what’s making me all the money. What are you interested in that you think college can’t help you with?”

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