Page 92 of The Marriage Agreement (Agreement)

“Fine, but I’m sending a bodyguard with you because the last time she was out with you, you couldn’t handle the crazies.”

“Yeah, yeah. It was that one time. Do you have any idea how many times we’ve gone partying together?”

“I don’t care about the past; I care about now.”

“Whatever, I’ll be there at eleven.”

“Okay. The guard will be informed. Text me the address of where you’re taking her.”

“We might make multiple stops.” I honestly wish he was standing in front of me so I could glare at him.

“Absolutely not. She’s not strong enough, despite what she puts forth. Do I need to call Mom on your ass?” I know that behind the veneer of laughs lies Dele’s pain from our loss. As much as she tries to tell me she wasn’t attached yet, I know she feels the loss and uses the physical pain to mask the emotional one. Underneath it all, she still isn’t a hundred percent herself.

“Fine, one stop.” I can visualize his eyes rolling. Calling Mom works both ways.

“Good. Now get off my phone, and please, no craziness with my wife.”

“Bye.” He hangs up, and I call Dele.

“Hello.”

“How are you feeling today?”

“I’m good. Zero pain, and I’m going out with Osei and Jax tonight.” She sounds excited.

“Osei told me. I didn’t know Jax was going too.” I’m not too happy about this information. From what she’s told me about Jax, she’s a wild card. You never know what you might get.

“I just told her, and she’s more excited than I am.”

“Okay. I’m going to work late, and please don’t overexert yourself; you’re still healing.”

“I promise I won’t.”

“Talk later, Ayo mi.”

“Bye.” I hang up and call Bruce. “Hey, Dele’s going out tonight with my knucklehead brother. Can I have a guy keep an eye on her?”

“Hello to you too, and is she good to go out yet?”

“Osei thinks it’ll be good for her. I just need someone to keep an eye on her should my brother forget that she’s a priority. Thetracker only tells me where she is; it doesn’t help if some asshole thinks it’s okay to grope her.”

“Got it. Text me the details of where they’re going, and I’ll have someone keep an eye on her.”

“Thanks, Bruce.”

“Talk later.” I hang up, lean back, exhale, and before I can lean forward, my phone rings. It’s my dad. Just my life.

“Hello.”

“I just spoke with Dele, and she tells me she’s feeling much better and going out for the first time with your brother. Do you think that’s wise? She needs more time to rest.” He barks at me. I swear he cares about my wife more than he cares about me.

“Dad, she’ll be fine, and she needs the air. She just wants to go out for a few hours, and I’ll have a bodyguard with her.”

“I still don’t think it’s a good idea. Call me when she’s home safe.”

“Dad, you’ll probably be asleep by the time she gets home.”

“I don’t care. Call me, and I mean it.” He hangs up before I can say anything. I think he loves my wife more than he ever loved me, but that’s because Dele is so special.

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