Page 193 of Rhet

“I hated him, but I was loyal.” Carson chokes out.

He slumps on the sofa as the heart attack kills him. I exhale looking at the mess around me. I turn to leave the house. Walking back through the way I came in. Carson’s men are nowhere to be found.

As I open the front door, I find my father leaning on the car.

“Rhet—”

“Not right now, Dad. Get in your car and go home to your wife.” I pass him by and jump into my car.

ZEETA

I enter my mom’s house walking in slowly with Draven behind me with shopping bags.

The hospital finally let me out after two days of bed rest. Rhet sent Draven to look after me for those two days. Between him and Penny’s fussing I’ve had enough.

“Draven honey, thank you so much but you can go home now,” I state as I enter the living room to sit.

The house is silent since Penny carried Ms. Helen and mom to the doctor. Dante is out I have no idea who he is out with, but he is not at home.

Draven drops the bags on the ground, and I plunk onto the chaise lounge

“Draven, go home and relax,” I plump the pillow behind me to make myself more comfortable.

Drave ignores me, he throws his jacket on the armchair, slide his shoes off and lies down on the sofa. With arms folded over his chest, he plops his legs on the arms of the chair.

Minutes pass by and I realize he was not moving.

“Heifer are you sleeping?” I ask as I throw a pillow at him.

He stretched “I was about to then you threw a pillow at me.”

I shake and laugh, “You’re taking this uncle role a little too serious.”

He sits up and grips to the side of the chair “No I’m not. You got kidnapped because I drove off.”

I role my eyes “Draven, it wasn’t your fault. I’m alive.”

“What if you weren’t? What if Carson killed you?” he inquires. For the first time I see the concern in his face.

“Then we wouldn’t be having this conversation. But we are and I am fine,” I get up and walk to him.

“You didn’t fail me. Now you’re welcome to sleep here until you’re ready to go.”

He smiles and plops back on the sofa to sleep “I may never leave.”

I’m so tired. I walk up to my room, strip down to my underwear, and crawl into my bed and pass out.

Opening my eyes I realized the sun was gone and a full moon was shining through my bedroom.

Rising I stretch and lean against my headboard looking up at the moon. I can hear movement next door. I guess Dante was back. A peal of laughter rang through the house, that means Dante is still here and he is downstairs talking to Ms. Helen.

I wonder what Rhet is doing? I don’t know where we stand. I do love him; but does he love me? I know he doesn’t trust me.

I reach out for my phone and dial his number. Rhet’s ringtone rings in the corner of my room. I scream pulling a pillow to shield me. I realize that he was sitting in my chair, with his phone on his lap.

“How long have you been there?” I ask

“Does it matter?” he answers, the shadows consumed his body. The only part of him touching the light were his shoes.

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