Page 10 of Karrington

His smile widened. “What I want is right here.”

When he cupped my pussy, I yelped. “D-Donovan… you know I’m a virgin. I can’t have sex with you.”

“You can, and I know you want to.” He picked me up and carried me to the bench that was just a few feet away from us. “Your daddy might not have felt I was good enough for your family, but I know you know I’m good enough for this pussy.”

“Cocaine, please.” I didn’t want to tell him I didn’t find his aggression attractive at all or that it was actually scaring me, so I tried to reason with him. “Baby, you know I have to be a virgin on my wedding night. If I’m not, that will bring dishonor to my family. Is that what you want me to be known for?”

“I don’t care about none of that shit.” And he proved it when he ripped my panties under my gown and forcefully stuck two fingers inside of me. The action caught me so off guard I was more in shock than pain. Still, I cried out, causing him to cover my mouth with the palm of his hand.

“Cocaine, no! I don’t want this!” Ignoring me, he used his knees to hold my legs down and held my arms over my head by pinning my wrists. “Please, Donovan. Not like this. Are you really going to rape me?” His movements stilled, as if he finally realized what he was doing. “Are you going to rape me?” I repeated, since it seemed like that was the only thing that had the power to make him stop. That question. That truth.

“You don’t want me?”

“Not l-like this. You’re scaring me.”

He stood, and the moment there was enough space between us for me to get away, I ran. I ran, and I didn’t look back. My tears continued to pour, and I covered my mouth to lessen the vocal sobs. This certainly wasn’t how I saw the night ending. I’d never felt so unsafe with a person in my life, and for that person to have been Cocaine, I was heartbroken. Worse, I wouldn’t be able to tell my father. Not only would he be disappointed in me for dating Cocaine secretly, but he’d kill him. There was no doubt in my mind about it.

6

Karrington

“You ready?”Beethoven asked, checking the time on his Audemars Piguet.

It made me smile because, when we all came into our wealth, we spent our money the way drug dealers and athletes did—Audemars Piguet and Rolexes, houses and cars for our people, and completely new wardrobes. Over the years, we learned the importance of investing and flipping our money, but the watches we all had were reminders of where we’d come from.

Even though I’d told the crew they didn’t have to join me, they insisted. It was Eyela’s graduation, and I wanted to see her. Be in her presence. The graduation was technically closed, but that meant nothing for men like us. A row in the corner of the stadium had been cleared for me and my people. As we walked in, I felt a bit more nervous than expected. There was something chilling about laying eyes on a woman who was not only a stranger but my fiancée.

Once we were all settled in our seats, I made sure my phone was on Do Not Disturb.

“Aye,” Merc called, nudging me with his shoulder. “We taking sis out after this? I’m hungry as fuck.”

I chuckled and shook my head. They had already accepted Eyela’s place in my life even though I hadn’t.

“Nah. I’m not even going to speak to her. I just… needed to see her, you know?”

Merc nodded. “I feel you. Well, we going out after this. We gon’ turn up in her honor.”

“That’s cool with me.”

The ceremony was boring as most graduations were. This one was different because as valedictorians and salutatorians were able to give speeches, rising stars in the music program were able to perform solos. Eyela had been chosen to perform, and pride soared within me at the sound of her name. My brothers cheered as she made her way on stage, and she looked around bashfully, probably trying to figure out who was causing so much commotion on her behalf.

I just… stared at her. The picture of her I’d seen didn’t do her any justice.

Her long, jet black hair flowed with each step she took. It came down to her ass, and I couldn’t wait to run my fingers through it and see if it was real. She was so poised, so graceful. It didn’t look like she was walking—she literally floated across the stage. A flowing white gown covered her slim frame. I was looking at a literal angel. The serious expression that covered her cashew brown skin broke into a small smile when she sat behind the piano. In one swift motion, she pulled her hair up into a high bun. After securing it, Eyela ran her fingers over the keys.

Loki, who was standing off to the side of the stage, looked at me for confirmation. I nodded. He was supposed to present her with a few gifts from me after they called her name, but after her performance seemed like a better time.

And what a performance it was.

I hung on to every note she played.

This wasn’t the first time I’d heard someone play the piano, but what Eyela did… it affected me in a way no one else had before. My fingers gripped my suit pants, my eyes remained closed, and it felt like I couldn’t breathe until she played the last note out of fear I’d miss something. It was haunting, soothing, and beautiful all in one.

When she stood and took her bow, nearly everyone in the stadium was on their feet clapping.

Loki quickly made his way onto the stage. I saw her father’s people heading in their direction, but as Loki whispered in her ear, she lifted her hand and stopped them. A smile lifted the corners of her mouth as she accepted the flowers and gift bags. Her eyes searched the room for me, but I intentionally hid my face.

“Yo, she’s pretty as fuck, Kare,” Bully said, causing me to lower my hand and look at him.

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