Page 184 of Save Room for Us

“You still smell good,” I admitted, and he chuckled, chest rattling against me as I enjoyed the sound. I wouldn’t know what to do if I’d never heard it again. “They’re not going to try to arrest you, right?” I looked up into his face.

Shaking his head, he replied, “Nah. They only cuffed a nigga because when they walked up, I was the only one alive holding a gun. But with all them witnesses and muthafuckas literally filming, newscasters and not, it was easy as fuck to back up my story.”

“So they saw he started it and killed Jacinta,” I said, still feeling terrible for asking her to testify. Maybe he wouldn’t have taken her life had she not.

“They did.” Asif looked down at me, hugging me closer to his side. “Got his sister dying on the tape and him hitting me with a bullet first too. I ain’t even notice the parents hop in the car and try to drive off until I watched the video, which is wild to me.”

“It is but Gabe, his father, has never been a good man. I guess that’s where Cedric got it from.” I sighed dejectedly. “I’m sorry I got you wrapped up in this. You got shot because of me.”

“I wouldn’t wanna be wrapped up with any-fucking-body else but you. Nothing worth having is easy, love.” He kissed my forehead. “I let him hit me first, that ain’t on you.”

“So it would be self-defense?” I quizzed and he nodded.

“Otherwise, I look like some nigga just trying to involve himself. I was planning on torturing his bitch ass a little later, but shit worked out differently.”

Quietness lingered for a bit before I said, “Thank you for saving me. Not just today but since you came around. You’ve been taking care of me mentally, physically, emotionally, and financially since day one, and I want you to know I appreciateit.” I sat up some to look down into his beautiful jade and amber swirled eyes.

We kissed a few times before he said, “You appreciate that shit enough to sit on it?”

“No, maybe tomorrow, but not when you’re fresh from surgery.” I lay back down along his side, chuckling as he grunted in disagreement.

Although an hour ago I thought this would be one of the worst days of my life, it turned out to be one of the best. Cedric was no more, I had a real man, a good man, my baby was safe, so was my family, and I wasn’t going to prison for trying to kill Cedric’s ass.

The only downside was Jacinta losing her life. But the same way I was a warning story for some, maybe she could be, too, to the ones who thought they could change a man.

“We can put something on old girl’s funeral if you want to,” Asif stated, seemingly reading my mind.

“Really?”

“Yeah. I wasn’t fucking with you having sympathy for her at first, but after looking in her eyes, I saw how fucking pitiful she was. And today, she ain’t deserve that shit.”

“I love you.”

“Course you do.” He cheesed widely with his handsome ass as I pretended to punch him. “I love you more, though.”

HOME SWEET HOME…

“Aight, nigga,”I said to Low as I got out of the car.

“Need some help?”

“I definitely don’t. Stay out of trouble, nigga.” I shut the door and made my way into my building then up to my penthouse.

Entering, the smell of something well-seasoned danced its way up my nose as Anastazia and Sophie came out into the living area.

“Sif!” Sophie wiggled to be let free from her mother. Once she hit the floor, she ran to me.

“Sophie, not too rough, remember?” her mama scolded.

“Hey, pretty girl.” I kissed her face.

“We have cake!” she said excitedly.

“Oh word?” I felt my stomach grumble as Anastazia neared me to lean onto her tiptoes and kiss me.

“Yes, cake and steak topped with garlic butter, shrimp stuffed baked potatoes, and a side salad because you need to eat vegetables.” She took my hand to lead the way.

We all washed our hands in the kitchen, then made our way to the living room where Anastazia had everything set up so I could eat my food on the couch comfortably. I was pretty much back to normal, but the area where a nigga had been hit was a little stiff and tender.

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