Page 28 of Draco

“And you just climbed on the back of a dirty motorcycle without a second thought?” Sammi questioned, growing hyped.

“There wasn’t much time to think.” I shrugged, downplaying the truth. “The weather was bad. I didn’t want to get caught in the rain.”

Jasmine pushed out a sarcastic laugh. “Girl, you better be happy you made it home. The Sons of Eshu have a reputation of being filled with killers and thieves.”

“Stop being ignorant.” I snarled at the disgust in her tone. “I’ve been around them. They aren’t that bad.”

Sammi rotated in her seat, forcing my hands out of her head. “I also heardtheyhave a group of hoochies in rotation. They call them nightcrawlers. Is that alietoo?”

“What does that have to do with me?” I let out a shaky breath, recalling my fight with Tatiana.

“A lot! You know you’re insecure about your skin. Plus, you’ve never had a boyfriend. You may be too weak to handle being with a man like Draco.”

A heavy exhale jumped from my parted lips. “You’ve got it wrong. I’m too weak to listen to my friend talk down on me. Most members of the club are single. I expect them to havewomen around. Truthfully, I don’t want to hang around a group of soft men.”

“So, you prefer to be around killers?” Sammi quizzed.

My eyes raced to the ceiling as I weighed my options.

“Yeah.” I nodded with a smile. “I would. I would also ratherbe aroundopen-minded women versus a pair of broads judging from outside of the club.”

Jasmine pursed her lips. “Girl, that man is going to play you. My brother gets his hair cut at Draco’s shop. I heard his mean ass kicked somebody out with their cut unfinished for some bullshit reason.”

“I know there was a reason,” I argued. “Draco is aggressive, not abrasive.”

Jasmine raised her hands in a surrendering motion. “Excuse me. No need to get testy. I was just saying?—”

“I know what you’re saying. You don’t know me or that man, so change the subject.”

Sammi looked back at me. “Come on, Frankie. Don’t get upset.”

“Don’t tell me how to feel,” I replied, growing more annoyed by the second. “The next time you want your hair done, come by yourself.”

Had the advice come from a place of love, I may have been receptive. I actually wanted to have my friend at my side during this new chapter of my life, but I didn’t need her there. For now, I would continue to bask in the surreal illusion of safety I felt with Draco until reality highjacked my delusion.

I snatched my cape off Sammi’s shoulders then marched to the door with my lips balled up. When I yanked the door open, I heard them snicker over my shoulder.

“Frankie, you can’t be serious,” Sammi professed.

“I can, and I am serious. You’ve always thought you were Regina George, but there’s a difference between being a mean girl and being a hating bitch. Goodbye.”

Since I was already in the mood to work, I got back to cleaning up. I hadn’t been in Ms. Green’s room in months and knew it could use a good wipe down.

I threw away a lot of old receipts and junk mail, yet an envelope with my name scribbled across the front stopped me in my tracks. Taken aback, I had to find a seat to conjure the nerve to open it.

“Whew. You got this, Frankie,” I encouraged myself.

My Sweet Baby,

If you’re reading, that means you needed it. I knowyou’ve probably been tucked awayin a corner, but I pray someone has pulled you out. I want you toknowit was an honor being your mama. You taught me it’s okay to start over, and I pray you do the same. I want you to remember how much love you gave me and give it to someone else. Even yourself. I left you a little something in my Payless shoe box. Do something nice for yourself. You deserve it. Hold on to the lessons I taught you, the recipes I gave you, and the jewels you inherited. You’ll need them all one day. *Wink. Wink*

Between the letter and my argument with Sammi, I needed some fresh air. I really needed the view of the beach, but it was on the opposite side of town.

As I strolled the city, I crocheted a headband I had been working on. Every step I took launched a new worry through my mind. Though I was grateful I stumbled upon the letter from my mama, her words made me believe she wanted me to move on. I couldn’t say I hadn’t found a home in Draco’s presence, but I was still petrified at the idea of being his saving grace.

After walking aimlessly for over thirty minutes, I realized I had ended up on the block of Draco’s motorcycle clubhouse.Police lined the opposite side of the street and yellow tape created a barrier around something under a sheet. It didn’t take a rocket scientist to realize I had stumbled upon a crime scene.

Without thinking, I shut my eyes and said a prayer for the deceased and their family. Afterward, I did an about-face, but someone hollered my name, stifling my steps. My focus followed the path of the booming voice. Bear, Draco’s club brother, stood in the doorway of their hangout. His vision raced from the crime scene then back to me.

---