Page 85 of Heart of a Savage
“She went to the restroom. She should be back in a minute.”
“Hmph,” she mumbled, then took a seat next to me, taking my hand. I smiled at her and kissed her cheek. “Your father told me about her.”
I paused for a moment before I spoke, “Oh yeah? What did he tell you?”
“That she’s the niece of the man he’s been silently beefing with for years.”
The fuck, Papi?
“Why would he tell you that?”
“Because he’s concerned for you, baby. And, honestly, I am too. Nothing good can come from this.”
“Ma, I assure you… everything will be good. You don’t have to worry yourself.”
“How can I not when you’re sleeping with the enemy’s daughter?”
“She’s not the enemy, though, Ma?—”
“What if she finds out that you and your father had her uncle killed? What don’t you think she’ll do then?”
“She won’t find out… and like I told Papi, in the event that she does, I’ll take that heat.”
“Do you love her?”
I looked out at the crowd as my eyes landed on Harvey and Paige. It was clear they were in love, and I found myself wanting the same. Since I’d run into Arie that night in her club, I couldn’t help but think about her. At the time, I just wanted to punish her for her fucked up attitude, but the more time we spent together, the more infatuated I became with her.
She was opening up and allowing me to see her scars—to see the beauty beyond her pain. I had allowed her to be a womanwho could be in touch with her feminine side and not hide behind that tough exterior she wore daily—that armor.
Did I love her, though?
“Yeah, I think I do,” I replied, looking over at my mother, who was burning a hole in my face.
“And how do you know that, Messiah?”
“Because she’s my first thought in the morning, and the last before I lay down at night. She always had to be tough because that’s who her father made her out to be. She’s never had a chance to just be a girl. A chance to be soft, nurturing, and know love from a different aspect. I want to give her that, Mama. She deserves it, even if I do have to keep this secret from her.
“It’s going to hurt her, for sure. But I’m hoping that she won’t try to find out who put the play down to have her uncle executed.”
“She’s a hired assassin, Messiah. Do you really think she isn’t going to want to avenge his death?”
“Then I’ll take my chances on what will happen after that. Just take care of my son, Ma. Make sure he remembers that his father was a legend.”
“Stop talking like that, Messiah. I’d kill that girl myself if something happens to you.”
I chuckled. “Don’t. Just leave it be.”
“All of this for love, huh? Did your father and I not give you enough? I know with us having five kids, some of you would feel neglected in a way… Is that why?”
I laughed again. “Chill, woman. None of us ever lacked love from y’all. I just want to be with her and be everything she needs.”
“Love is blind, son. Remember that… and sex clouds judgment.”
My phone buzzed with a text from Arieana.
Juicy:
Meet me out back in the shed.
