Page 39 of Karrington

“How did you feel when Loki said something similar to you?”

His eyes tightened as he scowled. “Now isnotthe time to play, Eyela.”

“I’m not playing. I wasn’t about to let them jump my cousin, especially because she was defending me.”

“I understand that, but you still didn’t have to get involved. Tina and Faith were there and so were your guards.” My eyes rolled as I crossed my arms over my chest. If he was waiting for me to say I was wrong, it wasn’t going to happen. “You don’t have anything to say?” I shook my head and he chuckled. “If something would have happened to you or my baby—”

“I know how to defend myself, Karrington. I don’t fight but I can. She wouldn’t have been able to land a punch.”

“That’s not the point!” he roared, causing me to jump. “That’s not a risk you get to take. You see these women behind you—” He pointed toward them. “They are the only ones I want you hanging with now. They are the only ones I trust you with. I don’t know how I feel about Tina and Faith because they are cool with them other two.”

“Believe it or not, I don’t want to be their friend anymore. Mia and Zara at least. They’ve been weird ever since we got married and I can’t deny it after tonight.”

“Good. I’m glad we’re on the same page about that.” He tore his eyes away from me. “Malaysia and Dallas about to go beattheir asses. Say thank you, then come upstairs. I don’t think you realize how upset I am with you, but I know how to show you.”

“Wait. No. Y’all don’t have to do that.”

Malaysia stood and kissed my cheek. “I love to fight, and I hate bullies. I got you, sis.”

Enjell rolled her eyes and chuckled. “She’s telling the truth. You would think having a baby would have calmed her wild ass down but it in fact has not.”

“It’s actually made her worse,” Dallas said. “You know how being a mom makes some women warm nurturers? It’s done the opposite for her. She takes protecting her baby and man to a whole new level now, and then overflow of that ripples down to us. We can’t take her nowhere.”

I laughed and we continued to chat. It felt good talking to them. I never really talked to them a lot when we were in the same space because it was difficult for me to make new friends, but they always made me feel welcomed.

The sound of Karrington calling my name interrupted our conversation. I thanked them all for pulling up as they headed out, then I went upstairs for what I was sure would be a very pleasurable punishment.

21

Karrington

A low whistleescaped me as I looked at the damage Dallas and Malaysia had done on Zara and Mia. Apparently, Faith felt some type of way about it and was holding Eyela responsible. Eyela had nothing to do with the ass whupping they got, but that didn’t seem to matter to Faith. More than anything, I believed it was a wakeup call to her. A wakeup call to the fact that, now that Eyela was my wife, she wouldn’t be disrespected in any way. They were lucky I let my sisters handle it instead of any of the women in the organization. Had I sent them, Mia and Zara would be dead.

Tina said she understood but I wasn’t sure. She was still going to be cool with them, and in my opinion, Eyela didn’t need to be associated with anyone who felt like the way they’d been treating her lately was okay. I was going to let her choose for herself though. My hope was that after spending time with real women she’d build a sisterhood with them and cut Tina and Faith off too.

One Month Later

What startedas a beautiful wedding for Bully and Innvy ended abruptly. We weren’t sure what transpired between Bully and PJ, but after PJ left, Bully went to talk to Innvy before he left too. The wedding had been called off, and all the women were consoling a very pregnant and distraught Innvy while me and the crew looked for Bully. Usually we shared our location with each other, but he’d cut his off. I was trying not to get too worried because he could handle himself, but I wouldn’t be at peace until we found him.

“This just doesn’t make any sense,” Beethoven said. “PJ works for Rocco and Bully said he was done with the lifestyle.”

“I know,” I replied. “That’s why I asked him to join me. If I knew he still worked under Rocco, I wouldn’t have disrespected in that way.”

“I don’t think he does,” Asylum reasoned. “If he did, he wouldn’t have said yes to you. He’s never wanted us to know about his dealings with Rocco, but when he said he was done with him, I believed him.”

“Is there a possibility Rocco found out he would soon be under you?” Merc asked. “Is that breaking some kind of code?”

My mouth twisted to the side as my head shook. “If he was still connected to Rocco, yes, it would be considered betrayal. Since he isn’t related to Rocco, if he left, he’s free to join a different organization.”

“That’s only if he was just a soldier,” Beethoven added, and I nodded my agreement.

“That’s correct,” I said. “If he had a higher rank and was inducted in, it would be for life, which would explain why they came after him.”

“But that can’t be it.” Asylum stood and began to pace. “I know my brother. He wouldn’t put himself in jeopardy like that or you. Hell, or his wife. That would have made everyone attached to him a target. It has to be something else.”

Silently, we all ruminated on what it could be. Finally, after what felt like forever, a key jingled in Bully’s door. We all shot to our feet.

“What the fuck is going on?” I asked, charging over to him.

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