Page 52 of The Marriage Agreement (Agreement)

“Go back and put the ring on, otherwise, you're not going to this rap battle,” I sternly say to her. She turns to me, stunned. I match her look with my unwavering stare. She looks to Osei for help, and he shrugs. She turns and heads to her room to put it on. I can tell she’s upset, but I don’t give a fuck. No way my wife is going out dressed like that without my ring on her. She’s lucky Osei is the one taking her, though we're still having a mini war in our home. I’m going to lay down some fucking rules after tonight.

“Did you have to say it like that?” Osei’s voice interrupts my thoughts; his chastising tone irks me.

“Fuck that, Osei. Text me the address of the place you’re taking her to, and if you’re not back by three, I’m sending Bruce’s mento drag both your asses out of there.” My voice is stern, and I lock eyes with him, so he knows I mean every word.

“Three is when they announce the winners, and I don’t like this macho 'dear husband' move, especially when she’s your wife on paper only.”What the fuck did he just say to me?I ignored it the first time he said it. Not happening again.

“Say she’s my wife on paper one more time. After I’m done knocking your teeth out, I’ll call an ambulance and then call Mom myself.” He turns to me, perplexed. Dele comes out before he can respond with the ring on her finger. She doesn’t look my way; her eyes remain trained on Osei.

“Ready?” Osei says to her. She nods and heads to the door.

“Text me now, Osei. And Dele, that ring doesn’t come off at any point tonight. It stays on throughout.” She nods and averts her eyes. My phone pings with a text from Osei. I check and see it’s the club’s name and address. I nod to him. They leave without a backward glance. The moment they are out, I immediately call Bruce.

“You do realize it’s late, right? And I could be tuning some sexy ass out,” he says the moment he answers the phone.

“You’re obviously working as always; I need two guys with me tonight. I might get in a fight.” He laughs.

“That’s the most outrageous thing you’ve ever said. Clear and concise explanation needed, leave nothing out.” I hear his laughter through his words. Glad someone finds this situation funny.

“Osei just left for a rap battle club with my wife. I couldn’t stop her from going with him. Turns out my wife freestyle raps, and the dress she’s wearing is openly asking for trouble. Osei says I can’t come with them, but I’m going.”

“Wait … Dele freestyle raps?” He’s shocked, and that’s rare for Bruce, especially in his line of business.

“Apparently, she does. Osei is her partner.”

“Where do you and Declan find these women? Anne speaks four languages and salsa dances. Your wife is a nurse-slash-freestyle rapper. I thought you guys wanted trophy wives, and you both ended up with women who color me intrigued—who are complete opposites of trophy wives.”

“So, can I get two guys with me? I know it’s late,” I interrupt, not in the mood for his analysis tonight.

“I’m coming with you. I want to see her myself. Text me the club address. I’ll meet you there.”

“Fine,” I state, hanging up, and text him the address.

I go in to get dressed and head out. A part of me admits that I want to see Dele in action, but I’d prefer she went to this event in oversized sweats, not a dress barely covering her ass and showing her curves and shimmering legs.

I’m wearing all-black cargo pants and a black long-sleeved T-shirt. I head out to the club. After valet parking my car, I find Bruce already waiting at the entrance. How he moved so fast, I don’t know. He’s with two guys, his usual bodyguards. Good, I have three with me.

Bruce ushers us in. I don’t need to ask if his guys are carrying guns; I know they are, and they’re well-trained and licensed to carry.

We get in just as they announce the battle is about to begin. The club erupts in a loud roar. The announcer goes on to say that the group already battled in the back, and the top five are going to battle, but only three will move to the next round. The MC calls the first team, two black guys called ‘Smoother Lyric.’ The crowd claps.

“The next team, you know them for their ying and yang, please give it up for ‘Zen Zin.’” The crowd claps again for the team of three—an Asian guy, a black girl, and a black guy.

“The third group are our favorite ladies, ‘Swag Lady.’” The three white girls get on stage with a louder clap.

“The fourth team, you guys love them, and once again, they are not dating—please welcome ‘Ay-sei.’” The crowd erupts in applause. I realize they’ve synched their names. The name syncing barely sinks in before I start hearing the whistles and catcalls from guys in the room. One even shouts, “Can I take her home?” Everyone laughs, which irritates me. Bruce turns to me, trying to calm me down. It doesn’t help that Dele’s hand is behind her, hiding her ring.

“And last but not least, our returning champs. Give it up for The Blazers.” The duo—one black guy and one Eminem lookalike white boy—gets on stage.

“A’ight, guys, you know the drill. Three stages, and we move to the next stage based on how well the lyric flows. And as a reminder, no insults, just good flows. Let the battle begin!” The MC shouts.

The battle begins with the returning champs, and the teams go at each other. My wife is amazing, with her moves and lyrics that Osei matches or finishes for her. They make it through the first round. The Smoother Lyric team is out.

Bruce turns to me. “She’s good.” I nod in agreement. My chest beams with pride at how good she is.

The next round begins. The Swag Lady team brings on their A game, as does the champ. Osei and Dele respond with a rap that sounds like a love lyric; they are moving in harmony, her back to his front. They are rhyming together, each one matching the other. When they finish, the crowd is clapping and hailing them. A guy shouts, “Bro, you sure you ain’t tapping that ass?” It sounds like the guy that asked to take her home.

“They are friends, and obviously very good, since they have you convinced,” the MC chastises the guy. “Give it up again for the Ay-sei.” The crowd erupts in cheers and claps.

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