Page 94 of Save Room for Us

She regarded me for a minute like she was trying to read me, then asked, “Did you order the supplies from the list I gave you? I don’t see the boxes.”

As soon as she finished speaking, her eyes darted around behind me, making me look. The two soldiers I’d just smoked were laid out in clear view as Grady did his best to attempt to shield them from her.

“I got it, Sif,” he told me, so I stepped out, shutting the door behind me. Anastazia’s eyes were still bulging as she blinked rapidly, trying to remain normal.

“Do they need he-help?” she asked.

“Nah, it’s too late.”

“Oh—”

“Go to my crib, and I will see you tonight, aight?” I wanted her out of here so I could add Grady to that list of bodies soon to be stinking in the room.

The door opened, and Grady stepped out saying, “I got everything done that can be done for now. They in the umm,” he glanced down at Anastazia, “solution and shit. I’ll get at you later.” Grady rushed off, and I had to grind my teeth so I wouldn’t explode.

“Come on.” I took her hand and started to lead her out, already thinking about how and when I could catch Grady’s ass and murk him. Fuck.

“Are you gonna get the stuff?” she quizzed, and I could see all in her body language that she was spooked.

“I already did; it’s just not here yet.” I opened her driver’s side door.

“When are you coming?” she asked once in the car, gripping the wheel like she was terrified. I hated to see this shit, especially because I didn’t know if she was just terrified of what she saw or me. She was a nurse, though, an accomplished one, so something told me dead bodies didn’t have her feeling fearful as fuck right now. It was instead me.

“Some hours.” I leaned into the window to kiss her. “Yo’ shit will be here tomorrow.”

She nodded, so I stood upright, sinking my hands into my pockets as I watched her reverse then pull off. Fuck.

Later that night…

Stepping off my elevator, I was relieved to see Anastazia’s small shoes right there, placed neatly against the wall. For a minute, I didn’t think her ass was gon’ be here.

Venturing to the back, clutching the roses I’d procured for her, I stopped in my tracks seeing Sophie dozed off in the middle of my bed.

“I need to get some shit for her,” I said.

“She’s fine for now.” Anastazia simpered softly before fixing the covers over her and standing to approach me. “Thank you.” She admired the flowers.

“Welcome, love.” We kissed before I led her to the love seat near my fireplace. Once we were both seated, I said, “I didn’t mean for you to see that shit. I forgot to tell you don’t come downstairs, but I honestly didn’t think you ever would.”

“I usually wouldn’t, but I wanted to stock that stuff while I had free time, and one of the guys said you were down there.”

“They did, huh?”

“Yes, but don’t get mad at them. I made them tell me where you were.”

“No need to protect niggas who got more bodies than a cemetery, baby.” I leaned back into the seat, and she scooted into me. “I ain’t gon’ trip on that shit, though, this time.” I winked.

“Good.” She touched my beard after setting the flowers down on the other side of her. “I know what you do and how things like that happen, I’ve just never seen it firsthand. That was new for me, to almost witness you killing someone or people.”

“I know, and it’s gon’ be the last time unless I’m doing it to keep you out of harm’s way.” I pondered for a second, then asked, “You not afraid of me, right? I can’t take you being scared of a nigga.”

Only a coward muthafucka wanted his woman to be afraid of him. A real nigga wanted her respect.

“No, not in the boogeyman way.” She giggled softly, and the shit made me smirk. “More so in the,okay, he’s about that lifekind of way.” She picked her head up briefly off my chest to peer up at me with that lingering smile.

“I can take that.” I nodded.

“Are you hungry? I made food at my mom’s and then brought it over here.” She got up. “I can warm it up for you.”

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