Page 34 of Karrington

“I don’t have anything to say to you,” I said so quietly I was sure Cocaine didn’t hear me.

“I just want a second of your time, bae. We have some unfinished business.”

Karrington stood, and so did the rest of the men at the table. Beethoven, Bully, and Merc came rushing over. Loki and Karrington exchanged looks, and Karrington nodded.

“My wife has nothing to say to you, but I do,” Karrington said. “I want to do this the easy way, so my men will escort you outside.”

Cocaine looked around at the men that had circled him and chuckled. “Unless you want to discuss divorcing my woman so I can have her, we have nothing to talk about.”

Karrington took a sip of his whisky, remaining silent.

My eyes widened as I watched Karrington smash Cocaine’s head against the table. He screamed as glass dug into his skin. The fear in his eyes was a stark difference to the calmness in Karrington’s.

“Eyela,” my husband called, forcing me to look at him and not the man I once loved. Or, thought I loved. My feelings for Karrington had me questioning everything I thought I felt for Cocaine.

“Give me permission to handle this nigga,” Karrington requested, voice trembling as he began to lose his resolve. “Take my collar off.”

The request was just a formality, I was sure. Karrington was going to do whatever he wanted. There was no way he’d let Cocaine leave this place without being punished… or worse. My eyes closed and I gritted my teeth. When they opened, I nodded. Like lightning, Karrington released Cocaine, and he was quickly ushered out of the section. Karrington lowered himself to my ear.

“Frasier and Steel are going to make sure you and your girls get home safely. I’ll be home after I handle this, okay?”

“Are you going to kill him?”

Karrington only smiled before he walked away.

My eyes were frozen on his back as he left. How wide and straight it was. How smooth and confidently he sauntered out of the space. How the rest of the men in the VIP section fell in line behind him. I knew how powerful my husband was, but seeing that power fluidly in this moment aroused me.

Tina and Faith asked me one question after another, and I finally told them about what happened. They were upset that I didn’t tell them immediately but got over it rather quickly. I didn’t want to feel sad for Cocaine’s fate. There were rules in the mafia. You didn’t sleep with a member’s wife, and you didn’t violate women or children. Both were automatic death sentences, and death was a welcomed end after the torture that was inflicted.

“Here, drink this,” Faith said, handing me her drink.

“Don’t cry,” Tina added. “He knew what would happen to him and he did that foul shit anyway. To hell with him.” I didn’t realize I was shedding tears until she said that and wiped my face.

Dauterive and her sister Dallas along with Neo and Whiskee had come to our booth. Even without knowing what was going on, they consoled me. Though we weren’t close, I appreciated the women and their warmth. Their nurture. This was going to be a long night, and I just wanted to go home.

19

Karrington

After the Punishment

After I droppeda few of Cocaine’s body parts off to Caesar, I went home to my wife. I showered and climbed into bed, and she immediately hugged me. A part of me hoped she didn’t ask me any questions, because I didn’t want her feeling guilt over what I’d done to her ex. A part of me, maybe my ego, also didn’t want her sad because he was dead.

“Is he…”

“Yeah.”

“Thank you,” she whispered, surprising me.

Tilting her head, I assured her, “I willalwaysprotect you. There will never be a man on this Earth that you should fear as long as I’m here. And even when I’m not, my people will protect you.”

Eyela nodded before connecting her lips with mine. It didn’t take long before she was drifting off to sleep. As I held her, her quiet, soft snores were like music to my ears. There was a time the thought of being married to her or any other woman otherthan Luna Ray hardened my heart. Now, it was filled with so much care and love for my wife.

I’d set this whole world on fire behind her and not give it a second thought. That was a scary thought knowing there was a woman who inadvertently had that kind of power over me… but I liked it. I liked loving her and wanting to fiercely protect her and that love. I’d need to tell her that soon, but for now, I hoped my actions showed it.

The Next Morning

Instead of gettingout of the car immediately, I called Ma. She’d been adjusting well back in her hometown of Chicago. The change in environment didn’t stop her from grieving Pops but being with her family made it easier for her. I could respect that, and I was glad I didn’t try to guilt her into staying here for me. Work had been a huge distraction as ironic as that sounded, and then there was Eyela—my Eyela.

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