Page 13 of Memphis

“Fuck you!” Zaccai bit out.

“I’m bringing Memphis to the next meeting. She’s family to me,” I advised the room at large.

“Man, you done lost your fucking mind!” Zaccai shrieked.

“Indeed, he has,” my mother agreed.

“So, she’s finally paying attention to you again? Wow. What’d you do? Blackmail her or something?” Layla finally spoke up.

Fucking bitch.

“You know what? Y’all go on with this meeting. I got better shit to do, like running the company that pays all y’all’s bills but understand this: Memphis is my woman. Any disrespect toward her will not be tolerated from anyone,” I advised.

“She’s old and she can’t give you children. She doesn’t even want you,” Layla said.

“And I don’t want you. Now what?” I posed, my eyebrows raised.

No response.

“And Layla, I’ll shoot your ass, too. Keep your mouth off my woman,” I warned.

The room was deathly silent as I left.

I wason the phone lying to Umber when he made it home.

Home?

Shit.

“So, you met him in college? You two dated back then?” she was asking.

“Kind of. We were basically doing back then what we’re doing now. Fucking. You know my motto,” I explained.

“Yeah, I do know…you don’t fuck with men unless you’re fucking them.”

“Ding-ding-ding!”

“But you’re living with him? That’s what he said, right?”

“He says a lot of shit.” When he appeared in the bedroom doorway, I added, “Gotta go, Umber. I’ll call you back.”

“Ah, Mr. Salt and Pepper Beard must have arrived. Have fun fucking!” She ended the call before I could respond.

I stared at him, at the relieved look on his face, and wished I would just off his ass, but for some reason, I wouldn’t.

Or…couldn’t?

That thought sent a chill up my spine, and I actually shuddered.

“Cold?” he asked, sounding all concerned and shit.

“No,” I replied. “I need to go to my place and pick some things up.”

“Everything you need is here. There’s a closet full of new clothes and shoes. The kitchen is stocked, and a generous supply of dick is on tap and available at all times.”

I just stared at him.

“I’ll have someone pack up your apartment and bring everything here,” he said.

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