Page 23 of Her Pisces Allure
Too late to backpedal now, Mavis. Thanks a lot. A hand grabs mine, causing me to stare into Quintyn’s hard eyes.
“Ready or not, the cat’s out the bag,” Quintyn deadpans.
“Are y’all fucking kidding me right now? Tell me that Mavis is talking about y’all’s body doubles or some shit. Tell me that you mothafuckas ain’t been messing around behind my back. Tell me my hearing is deceiving me.” Rome’s hands are clapping together, his nostrils are flaring, and his chest is rising and falling at a frightening rhythm.
Tears immediately dance on my eyelids as my right leg shakes uncontrollably.
“Nah. Don’t fucking stand here and?—”
Quintyn’s body shifts, and I’m staring at his stiff back in a second as he blocks me from seeing Rome.
A low, humorless chuckle sounds from nearby, causing my brows to hike and my forehead to wrinkle because I have no idea who it’s coming from.
“Wow. I guess you call yourself defending her honor, huh? Since you want to play captain save a?—”
“I’ll drop you where the fuck you stand if you say that last word.” Quintyn’s tone is deadly and unapologetic, causing a cold chill to surge through my bloodstream.
Heat surges through my body,and pain radiates in my head from the spike in my blood pressure. I’m all for conversing with Roman, but his hostility toward Fayth won’t be tolerated in my presence. Despite their father being the asshole he is, Roman isn’t the co-party responsible for Fayth’s existence. Therefore, his tone and attitude with her will be respectful, or the fight he’s seeking will be achieved.
“Roman? Quintyn? What’s going on?” Ms. Rosemary’s sweet voice inquires, yet my eyes don’t move from Roman.
The amount of aggression coming off him is enough for me to watch his every move, so I’m not caught off guard in the event he swings at me.
“I’m trying to find out myself, but this nigga isn’t saying shit, and neither is Fayth.” Roman hasn’t called Fayth by her name in all the time I’ve known him, so I know he’s in his feelings.
“I’m sorry, Aunt Rosemary. I didn’t know that Fayth and Quintyn were—” Mavis starts before Roman cuts her off.
“I heard you the first time, cuz. I’m just waiting for one of these flawed mothafuckas to confirm the shit. Are you gonna come clean or not, Mr. Protector?” Roman’s nostrils are flaring, and death is shining in his eyes.
“From your puffed-out chest, knowing you can’t whup my ass, to the drool in the corners of your mouth, I know the truth ain’t what you want. However, let me be clear about some shit. Just make sure your bitch ass can handle it.” My tone is calm, but fire surges through my blood as my muscles tingle with hyper-awareness.
Fayth and I planned a private conversation, but properly laid plans don’t dictate circumstances, so here we are. Despite my suggesting this location for the necessary discussion privacy was the plan.
“Man. Get. To. The. Fucking. Point.” Roman claps his hands while staring daggers at me.
“Fine. I’m in love with Fayth Lael Miles. Not only that, but we’re in a relationship.” I step back to avoid the punch Roman throws my way and damn near knock Fayth over.
“Bitch ass nigga. What the fuck did I tell you about my got damn sister?” Roman rages while swinging again.
Before I can stop myself, I start throwing jabs at Roman, and shit goes left in a matter of seconds. Screaming and chaos sound around me, but logic has left the building because standing and letting Roman punch me ain’t about to happen.
“Of all the mothafuckas to disobey my rule, I never expected it to be you, nigga,” Roman continues while we exchange blows.
Talking while fighting ain’t my thing, so I don’t utter a word as my punches connect with Roman’s face.
“Break them up, Lavell. What the hell are you standing around for?” I hear a shrieking feminine voice shout.
“Quintyn, Rome, please! Stoppp!” Fayth’s voice penetrates my psyche, causing me to freeze at the terror in her voice.
“Shit!” My head goes to the left when Roman’s fist hits the side of my face, catching me off guard.
“Roman Miles! Throw one more punch, and I’ll be the next one you fight out here,” Ms. Rosemary shouts, instantly deflating her son, who steps back with murder in his eyes while staring at me.
“Just so we’re clear… fuck you and Sunshine.” With that, Roman walks away, knocking a chair over as he goes.
For the first time since shit hit the fan, I turn and look for Fayth, whose standing off to the side with tears rapidly falling from her eyes. Fuck!
“Come here, Lay,” I urge softly despite the ice reeling in my bones.
