Page 73 of Maceo

“I must be special then.”

“You ain’t no bust down.”

She looked back at me. “Then what am I?”

I thought for a moment. “I guess you can say you’re my lady.”

“You guess?” She turned all the way around and looked at me. “That’s how you ask me to be your woman?”

I reached out and cupped her chin. “I fuck with you, Sharina. Truth be told, I fuck with you and only you. I know we said we’re just having a good time, but I enjoy being with you. If I’m being honest, I look forward to it. You haven’t been just sex…ever. I don’t know how you would feel about it, but I want you to be my lady. Only mine.”

She searched my eyes for a moment before breaking into a smile. “If you agree to only be my man. I fight bitches, so don’t have a ho coming to me on some woman to woman shit over you.”

“Never that, love.”

“Good.” She rose to her knees between my legs and wrapped her arms around my neck. “Then I’m yours.”

I smiled at the memory.

Enzo returned with the ring, and after picking up a few more things, I paid for it, and Salima and I left the store.

“Just so we are clear,” Salima said, as we hit the street, “I’m glad you’re giving my girl a proper proposal.”

I chuckled. “I know. Everybody said she should have said no without a ring.”

“I can see that, but you and I know Shar. All that matters is you’re doing it now, and I get to be a part of it. I’m on my way to the office now. I’ll see you later.”

“Later, sis.”

She started to walk to her car but came back and hugged me. “Thank you for loving her, Maceo. That’s my sister, and her happiness means the world to me and Darlyn. I love you for taking care of her heart.”

“I love you too.”

She kissed my cheek and rushed off to her car as I climbed into my own. Settled inside, I pulled the ring box out and opened it. I looked down at the vintage three-carat diamond engagement ring in my hand with a smile on my face. I was confident that Shar was going to love it. She was always complimenting my grandmother on her ring and had stated several times that she would love one similar. I’d dropped a cool fifteen grand on this baby, but she was worth it and more. The more came in the form of a matching earrings, bracelet,and necklace set for her to wear on our wedding day. That was another twenty bands.

Tucking the jewelry bag into my center console, I cranked up the car and pulled out of the parking lot to head for the Gladden house. I was a little nervous to ask for Shar’s hand in marriage, even though she had already accepted my proposal. We agreed not to tell her parents until after I spoke to them.

Shar didn’t know it, but I already had a real proposal in the works. Salima was in on the whole thing. I’d gotten up early this morning and went over to talk to her about it. Needless to say, she was excited and happy to help. I knew Shar didn’t mind the proposal she’d gotten, but every woman deserved that special moment, and I was going to give her hers.

I hated to feel like we were rushing shit, but this whole thing with Blane and Charity was slightly unsettling. Speaking of that bitch, it was time to put her ass out of the hotel. I’d already put in a word with Kelly to terminate her ass. If she was working with this nigga, she didn’t need my money, anyway. I’d never hated a bitch more than I hated her right now. The crew and I had risked our lives to save the group of people she was found with, and for her to possibly be the opp pissed me off.

I dialed the hotel’s front desk number and waited for the line to pick up.

“Thank you for calling The Cardinal. This is Tracy. How may I help you?”

“Tracy, it’s Maceo Dillinger.”

“Mr. Dillinger, how nice to hear from you. What can I do for you?”

“I have a guest in room 756. I need their stay terminated and for them to vacate it immediately.”

“Oh… okay. Just let me double check.”

I could hear her clicking away on the computer for a few seconds before she spoke again.

“Um… it looks like Ms. Lynn checked out about a week after you checked her in.”

“What?”

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