Page 87 of Maceo

“You told us you worked with the charity foundation. How could you lie to us about something like this!”

Before I could say anything, I saw Maceo slide under the caution tape and head toward me. Abandoning my stance, I ran to him, throwing my arms around his neck.

“Baby, are you okay?” I asked, checking him over.

“I’m fine. What are you doing here? I told them to take you back to the house.”

“You know I wasn’t going anywhere until I saw you. What happened?”

He sighed. “Charity. The bitch had some niggas roll up here and open fire. Then they threw Zeno’s body out of the back of the truck. There was a fucking bomb inside him.”

I covered my mouth in disbelief. “A bomb!”

“A bomb,” he confirmed. “She called me right before it went off.”

“We have to find this bitch, Maceo.”

“Excuse me, we?” I turned to see my mother standing with her arms crossed. “Who the fuck is we? No, what you’re gonna do is take your ass back to that compound and sit the fuck down. You’re done with this shit, Sharina. And you!” She pointed a finger at Maceo. “What the hell were you thinking letting her follow you into this shit! I don’t care if she’s grown, you tell her no.”

“Ms. Cicely?—”

“Shut your ass up. And tell your daddy the next time he puts his hands on my husband, I’ll shoot him my damn self.”

She stormed back over to my father and brothers just as Ms. Allison approached us.

“Maceo, I know you didn’t bring Shar into this.”

Maceo was silent.

She shook her head. “Shar, baby. This life isn’t for play, sweetheart. I’ve never been in it, but I’ve been close enough to it with Senior. I know danger seems exciting, but it’s not. It’s just what it is… dangerous. It’s all fun and games until somebody is shooting at you. Look at this shit. Is this the life you want to live? Having a bounty on your head? Is this why you two rushed this wedding?”

Maceo sighed. “Listen, Ma. I’m not marrying Shar solely because of what’s going on. I love her. I want to spend whateverlife I have left with her. Whether it’s five minutes, five days, or fifty years, she was always going to be my wife.”

He peered down at me before taking my face in his hands.

“I’m sorry this ruined our wedding day, love.”

“I don’t care about that. I’m just glad you’re okay. I don’t know what I would do if I lost you, Maceo.”

Softly, he pressed his lips to mine. “I’m not going anywhere if I can help it.” He stepped back and took a look at me. “You look beautiful, baby.”

I smiled softly. “Thank you. You look pretty handsome yourself.”

Although the five-piece suit was missing the jacket, he was still as handsome as ever.

“I want you to go home,” he said firmly. “I’ll be there as soon as I can. I know we have to do damage control, so I’ll probably be a while. Give this phone to Jaeda. She’ll know what to do.” He slipped me a burner phone. “I love you, Shar.”

I teared up. “I love you too.”

We shared another kiss before he went back to his family. Ms. Allison placed an arm around me and kissed my temple.

“They will figure things out. They always do. Right now, you need to go home.”

I didn’t fight her on it. I simply nodded and allowed her to lead me back to the waiting SUV. Amp opened the back door and helped me inside. Salima joined me a few seconds later. The moment the door closed, she pulled me into her arms, and I broke down.

All we’d done was try to help people, and it backfired on us in a major way. Innocent lives had been taken. Maceo and I were in danger. My parents were furious with me, and my wedding day was ruined.

What else could possibly go wrong?

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