Page 9 of Maceo

I frowned. Where the fuck was he going and who was he going with?

“Bet.”

He hung up and turned around, jumping when he saw me.

“Jesus, Shar. What the hell?”

“Who were you on the phone with?”

“Nobody important.”

“You got me fucked up, Maceo. What bitch were you on the phone with this time of night?”

“I wasn’t talking to no bitch.”

“Oh, it was a bitch. I know you ain’t jumping to answer the phone every time a nigga calls or texts you.”

“Don’t even fucking play with me like that.”

“I’m not playing with you at all. I’m dead ass. For weeks now, you been ripping and running every fucking time that phone rings. I know you aren’t with your family working on some shit because you tell me when you have anything going on. So again, who is the bitch!”

“Ain’t no bitch!”

I shoved him. “Stop fucking lying to me! I’m not stupid, Maceo!”

“Don’t put your hands on me, Shar. I don’t disrespect you like that. I love you, but I will hem your ass up. Calm the fuck down.”

I was livid at this point and ready to swing at him. He must have read my mind because, immediately, he grabbed me up in a bear hug, locking my arms at my side.

“You bet’ not ever think you gon’ swing at me, woman. Calm your little ass down.”

I breathed heavily as his grip on me tightened. I wanted to headbutt him, but he had a good six inches on me in height.

“Listen to me. I love you. I wouldn’t disrespect you with no other bitch, especially not in your own spot. I haven’t been entertaining anybody but you since the first time I came over here.”

“Then tell me what’s going on. All of this secrecy… what do you expect me to think, Maceo?”

He sighed. “If I let you go, are you gonna keep your hands to yourself?”

“That depends on your answers to my questions.”

“Sharina Nicole.”

I huffed. “Fine.”

He released me and turned me to face him. “You can’t say shit to anybody, especially not Salima.”

“Why not?”

“Because she’s gonna tell my brother, and he’s gonna tell everybody else. You know my family would kill me if they knew what I was doing.” He sighed as he took a seat on the couch. “A few months ago, I linked up with another organization. Theywork with uncovering organ trafficking in the black market.”

“Or-organ trafficking? Like they’re cutting people open and shit?”

“Yes.”

“The black market? Maceo, that’s dangerous!”

“No more dangerous than what I do now.”