Page 37 of Divine

“Hmph. Do you know that hogs will eat an entire human body? I’m talking about bones and all. A lot of people like to use lye and dig holes and all that shit. I find my method less time consuming.”

I didn’t answer his question because I immediately retreated to my thoughts. Plus, I was sure that it was a rhetorical question. Even if I did know that information, I didn’t think it mattered to him.

I remembered the last time I was afraid. I was sitting by my dad’s hospital bed, listening to my mom explain how he would never walk again due to the severity of his injuries. Granted, I had meant to kill him, but knowing that it was my fault he would be confined to a wheelchair for the rest of his life terrified me. For one thing, I knew how ruthless he was. I was almost certain he would have one of his men do something to me. Instead, when he woke up, he told me it was time for me to step up and start putting in work.

As we pulled up next to a wooden pen filled with gigantic pigs, I wondered if my fight or flight instincts should have been kicking in. For some reason, I wasn’t afraid. If Syre felt like I needed to meet my fate today, he was damn sure going to have to come with it. I was about to give him a run for his money. I wasn’t going down easily.

“Get out, my guy. I need you to help me with something,” Syre said, getting out of his truck and walking around to the back.

I blew out a hot breath before opening my door and getting out of the car. I noticed him opening the back as I approached him. There was a black tarp draped over something I didn’t have a chance to wonder about before he snatched it off.

“Nigga got to live way too long if you ask me.”

It was hard to tell how Roger died, but I didn’t have to guess who was responsible.

“Facts.” I nodded. I agreed that I should have just killed him in the first place, but I knew it wasn’t what Divine would have wanted.

“She probably asked you not to do anything to him. I know how that shit goes. She’s sweet like that. I’m not.” I wasn’t sure what he wanted me to say so I didn’t say anything. Fuck did he expect me to do anyway? I knew the best bet was to stay quiet. “Help me get his ass out of here.”

The question of who had helped put him there lingered in the back of my mind as I grabbed his feet and helped Syre carry him over to the side of the hog pen. We didn’t speak as we hurled him over the fence into the mud.

“They’ll take care of him. You can check back this time tomorrow if you don’t believe me,” Syre assured me.

“Nah, I buy it. I was just about to ask if I could use them in the future if I need to.”

“For sure, especially when it comes down to our girl. Don’t let her talk you into giving out too many passes. Leave that sweet shit to her. Feel me?”

“Got it.”

“’Preciate you for looking out for her. Not a lot of people would have done what you and I would do. She might not admit it, but if she likes you enough to tolerate you, then you’re good in my book.”

* * *

It had been about six months since I’d started working as Divine’s bodyguard. Standing in Divine’s floor length mirror, I nodded in approval at my own reflection. I didn’t typically wear tuxedos, but your boy cleaned up well. In the black tux with a crispy white button down and bow tie, I looked good as hell if I said so myself.

Going to Bishop’s engagement party as Divine’s plus one hadn’t been on my score card for the year, but I had learned to go with the flow a long time ago. As long as there was good food, good music, and Divine involved, I would probably go anywhere.

“You ready?” she asked, causing me to turn and look at her.

Time slowed to a halt when she emerged from her bedroom in a long, shimmery red dress with a split that made me swallow hard. It was crazy how badly I wanted those silky, brown thighs wrapped around my body. I got lost in a fantasy of her legs draped on my shoulders as she sauntered over to me. I looked down into her eyes and begged myself not to kiss her.

“You look good in a tux, Liam. You should dress up more often,” she suggested.

“And go where?” I chuckled.

“I don’t know, but you look good as hell. The girls are going to be sick when they see you on my arm.”

“I’m sure anybody attending this party will know that I’m just your bodyguard.”

“Don’t say it like that, Lee Lee. I told you that you are not just the help. You’re my Lee Lee.” She giggled.

“What does that even mean, Cookie?”

“It means that when one of these women bags you tonight, you can’t quit working for me. Let them know that I’m your best friend, and we are a package deal,” she told me.

“I’ll keep that in mind.” I grinned.

“Good. I’m actually excited about the idea of you finally meeting someone.”

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