Page 184 of Invisible Bars
My mind raced with violent solutions and public statements—I didn’t care which came first.
My woman had been humiliated in broad daylight.
Was it her twitching? Was hervoice too shaky? Did the color of her skin, too brown for some to accept, play a role in the shameful display? Or was it simply because her name wasn’t “Mrs. Kors” on a plaque or some polished press release?
I should’ve never let her gone back to work. Iknewsomething like that would happen—I feared it from the jump. Or maybe… maybe I should’ve made it loud andundeniableto the world that she was mywifeand that she wasuntouchable.
I sort of blamed myself.
My phone vibrated.
Paris: We’re here.
Me: Let security know who you are. They’re expecting y’all.
I cracked my neck, took one long breath, and headed for the elevator like I was walking into war.
The elevator dinged, and Paris stepped on the floor with Naji beside her. Naji looked like a leaf in a thunderstorm—shoulders tense, fingers clutched in the sleeves of her top, eyes darting everywhere but forward.
I didn’t say a word; I just stepped forward, pulled her gently into me, and kissed the top of her head.
“Come with me.”
I guided Naji into a private lounge off the main corridor.
Plush couch. Dim lighting. No noise.
“Wait here, baby. I’ll be right back.”
She nodded. “Okay… okay.Pop tart preacher.Sorry. I’m okay. I’m not okay.”
I gave her hand a squeeze—not too hard, not with the rage I was holding back—then let go, closed the door behind me, and turned to Paris.
“Thank you for bringing her and stepping in, in my absence,” I said. “And coming from me, I really mean it.”
Paris leaned against the wall, arms folded.
“Trust me—I know.” She chuckled. “But no problem. I wasn’t gonna let them treat her like that. The way you protected her the other night? I can tell you really care for her. That was enough for me. Even if they didn’t know she’s your wife, she’s still aperson… a good one at that.”
I studied Paris for a moment.
“You’re talking different.”
She arched a brow. “Different how?”
“You weren’t like this when you came around us. You were always put together. Perfect posture. Your voice… it was soft. Real proper.”
She gave a short, quiet laugh. “That’s whothey—my parents—trained me to be.”
I tilted my head. “So whoareyou, really?”
“Like I told Naji, a girl who never wanted amanlike you.”
I reared my head back, almost offended.
She grinned. “No offense. You’re fine as hell, powerful, and… together. But I want agirlas my companion… always have.”
“A girl?” I repeated, brows twitching just slightly.
