Page 61 of Juke
I stretched my arm behind her chair, watching her laugh, listening to that sound I damn near craved now. It steadied me in a way nothing else did, and in the back of my mind, the thought was carved in stone… nobody was ever going cause her pain again… not unless they were ready to see Big G himself.
16
Sophi
Things have been better than I ever thought they could be for me. With Rashad, it wasn’t just about being safe, though that mattered more than anything. It was the way he made me feel seen, like every scar I carried didn’t make me less of a woman, but more of one. The way he looked at me—like I was something worth protecting… worth loving… worth keeping. I never thought I’d have that again. Some mornings, I’d wake up still half-expecting the weight of Rio’s shadow pressing over me, waiting for the fear to creep in. but then I’d roll over into Rashad’s arms, feel the security of being wrapped in his arms, and it was like my body remembered… I’m safe now. He didn’t even have to say much most times. His actions did it all. The way he’d stand a little closer when we were out, his hand always resting on the small of my back like a security blanket. The way his eyes scanned every room before I even stepped inside, already making sure nothing could touch me. It wasn’t just about protection; it was the peace he carried with him—gritty,rough around the edges, but mine all the same. It was in the jokes he cracked when he caught me overthinking. The way he’d pull me into his lap when I tried to stress myself into silence. The way he never asked for me to be anything other than myself. With him, I wasn’t the girl who survived. I was just… Sophi. And for the first time in years, that was enough. Even with everything feeling right between us, I couldn’t lie to myself. The quiet was heavy sometimes… too heavy.
I hadn’t seen or heard a word from Rio, but I knew him. I knew the way his mind worked… the way his anger festered. Him disappearing into the shadows didn’t mean it was over. It meant he was waiting and watching, and that thought alone would’ve torn me apart if it wasn’t for the people around me. My cousins… my parents, and Rashad… especially Rashad. They were my wall… y shield, and as much as Rio might’ve thought he still had a claim on me, he didn’t realize what he was walking into. I wasn’t standing alone anymore. I had people. I hadhim.
My phone buzzed on the counter, pulling me from my thoughts. The screen lit up with Rashad’s name. I smiled before I even hit accept. The picture steadied, and there he was—sweat on his forehead, and a towel draped around his neck with the noise of the gym in the background.
“You up now, shorty?” he teased.
“I’ve been up,” I lied, brushing my hair back.
He smirked, narrowing his eyes like he could see straight through me. “Nah, you look like you just rolled out the bed. You still fine as hell, though.”
Heat rose in my cheeks, and I tried to play it off. “You just finished your workout?”
“Yeah. I didn’t wanna wake you when I left.” He shifted the phone, giving me a glimpse of the ring behind him. “I just wanted to check in on you. You good?”
“I’m fine.” I nodded.
His gaze sharpened. “Don’t play with me, Lovie. I need to know for real.”
“I am,” I said softly. And I was, because I could see him, hear him. That security reached through the screen like it always did.
“Good,” he muttered, wiping his face with the towel. “Listen… don’t leave the house without security. I’on care if you think you’on need it. If I ain’t there, they need to be.”
“Rashad…” I sighed.
“Nah, I’m serious.” His tone dropped low. “I’ain taking no chances with you. Not now… not ever. You roll how I say roll until I’m back.”
I wanted to argue, but the way he said it left no space, and deep down, I knew he was right. “Alright,” I relented. “I’ll listen.”
“Good girl.” His mouth curved into that half-smile that always got me. “Now go do whatever it is you was doing, and remember… I love you.”
“I love you, too,” I reciprocated.
“Good. ’Cause when I get home, I’m gone show you just how much, so I hope you ready.”
“Rashad—” I started, my cheeks heating.
He winked and ended the call, leaving me staring at my reflection on the black screen with a simper tugging at my lips. My man was crazy… possessive, and demanding, but he was mine, and I wouldn’t trade that for anything. With a small shake of my head, I set the phone down and went back to straightening up around the condo, my chest still full with the warmth of his words.
I had just finished straightening up the kitchen when my phone lit up again, this time with Mel’s name across the screen. I swiped to answer, tucking the phone between my ear and shoulder as I wiped down the counter.
“Hey, Soph. You busy?”
“Not really,” I said, glancing around at the spotless space. “Wassup?”
“We were thinking about grabbing a late lunch. You want to join us?”
I hesitated for a second, then smiled. Truth was, being around them always helped ease some of the heaviness. “Yeah, that sounds good. Just text me where.”
“Perfect. We’ll see you in a little bit.”
We hung up, and I immediately pulled up the thread with my security detail.
