Page 34 of Rocky

“They were pleased with what we came up with.”

“Good. I’m excited to see it.”

“How was your day?”

“Busy. The fundraiser will be here before I know it, so I spent most of the day preparing for that.”

“Is the center doing the fundraiser in partnership with Mayhem?”

“Yeah. The club has done community events since its inception, but when we opened the center, collaborating made sense. The proceeds don’t only go to the center. We’ve chosen several organizations throughout the city to share the proceeds with.”

“Really? That’s dope.”

We stopped in front of what looked like an apartment building that took up half a block.

“You ready?”

“I’m not sure what I’m ready for, but yeah.”

He got out and came to my side of the car to open the door. I took his hand and allowed him to help me out. We walked in silence to the building, and when we arrived at the door, I was surprised to see armed security guards.

“Wassup, Rocky? Is this a new tenant?”

“Wassup, Brady? Nah, this is my girl, Rue. I want her to meet a few of the ladies.”

“Do they know you’re coming?”

“Fa sho.”

Brady nodded before buzzing us in. I was more than curious about where I was and who I was meeting, but I didn’t bother asking because I’d find out shortly.

Rocky removed his phone from his sweatpants and sent a text message as we headed toward the elevator. He pressed the up button, and the doors opened immediately. Our hands intertwined again as we stepped inside.

He hit number seven, and seconds later, the doors opened. We exited, and he led me down the hall. Before we reached the second to the last door, it sounded like a door was being unlocked.

The sound caused me to squeeze his hand inadvertently. He lifted it to his mouth and kissed the back of it as our eyes connected.

“You’re safe with me.”

I nodded, and we continued down the hall. When we stopped in front of one of the doors, Rocky knocked a few times before turning the doorknob. He entered first, but I was so close to him we were damn near attached.

“Hey, Rocky. It’s been a minute,” one of the ladies said.

“Things have been busy,” he responded as he hugged her.

“I see you brought a guest.”

“Yeah. This is my girl, Rue. Baby, this is Chardae.”

“It’s nice to meet you.”

That was the second time he’d introduced me as his girl in the past five minutes, and the second time tonight he’d called me baby.

“Welcome to Safe Haven. It’s nice to meet you too. Come sit down. The girls will be here in a few.”

Safe Haven? I’ve never heard of it.

Rocky and I sat on the couch while Chardae sat on a beanbag in the middle of the floor.

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