Page 98 of His to Have
“Be who?”
“Teo, of course.” I giggled.
In one swift motion, Corey fisted a handful of my hair, yanking my head back, and forcing my eyes to meet his. The pain shot through my scalp, making me gasp, while my neck craned.
“And what makes you think I want to be anything like him? Hmm?”
I didn’t answer. Just stared at him.
Maybe it was the way I didn’t flinch. Or the way I smiled, even with his hand in my hair. When the silence lingered beyond the point of comfort, something in him snapped.
“You know what it’s like sleeping with the enemy every night? Pretending to laugh at your corny ass jokes? Pretending to give a fuck about your bullshit ass business. Acting like I was actually interested in anything other than fucking you.”
He leaned in close, his face mere inches from mine. He was so close I could see the reflection of the light bouncing off his brown eyes. There was an untold story in his gaze. And most of it was rage.
Anger was an understatement; he resented me. This, I was sure.
“Yeah... that had to be the silver lining in all of this.” He continued, his voice reeking of disdain. “You were nothing more than a means to an end. And a nice piece of ass.”
For once, I had nothing to say as my mouth opened to respond. Did I see a future with Corey? Not really. But I never thought it would come to this.
“What do you want from me?” I breathed out, my voice low. “A “I’m sorry” or “I was wrong?” Because despite what you may think I never meant for this to be this way.”
“Same ol’ Yanna,” he muttered, almost to himself, before backing out of my face and standing straight. “You always think shit is about you. And well... they’re not. This is about how your father and that husband of yours ruined my fucking family. Their war killed the only mother I ever knew. Imagine getting a call while I was away at school saying the only woman I loved was murdered. Because your father, and now the man you are married to only care about power.”
This time his finger tapped firmly against my forehead. “Use that brain of yours.”
I wanted to flinch, but I refrained from even making a sound. He would not get the satisfaction of seeing me weak. Because despite what he thought of me, I wasn’t a weak bitch.
“Mother? You told me you didn’t have any family—”
“Nah. I said I didn’t havebloodfamily. There’s a difference.” His jaw tightened. “Janell Whitehead raised me. Took me in at fifteen when no one on this earth wanted me. She was more of a mother than the woman who birthed me ever was.”
My brow furrowed.
“Yeah, now you’re thinking. Whitehead Funeral Home. Ring a bell?” He studied my face, the name sounding familiar, but still not ringing any bells.
“Probably not. Your husband’s men made sure of that when they killed her. Thankfully, her family didn’t completely abandon me. Bianca—my mother’s step-sister—feltobligatedto finish what Janell started. Made sure I graduated. Kept me clean, kept me off the streets. Turned me into the respectable,vetted,safeboyfriend you thought I was.” He laughed bitterly. “And your husband never saw me coming.”
My stomach turned. All this time. He’d been playing me from the start.
“You think running into you at that hardware store a few weeks ago was a coincidence?” His smirk widened. “Nah. I knew you’d be there. Been tracking you since your wedding.” He leaned closer, his breath hot against my face. “Would’ve had your ass that day, but your husband...”
I shook my head, feeling played, but also relieved. “All this time, I felt bad for not feeling any passion with you. Thought you were just a mistake I was trying to make work. Turns out you were everything my husband thought you were. Weak.” I held his gaze. The twitch in his jaw and the ire in his eyes let me know I struck a nerve.
I smiled, feeling my swollen lips crack slightly, the dried-up blood turning back into a fresh trickle. “I’m sorry about your family but if you really think dragging a tied-up woman into a moldy-ass warehouse and ranting about some bullshit that ain’t got shit to do with me is gonna save you? You are more delusional than I thought. It’s not going to save you, or satisfy your thirst for revenge. And when my husband finds you...” I trailed, pissing him off.
That’s when I felt the first impact of his open hand, landing right on my swollen cheek. “Shut up!”
“Enough!” Orlando boomed entering the room and gripping Corey’s wrist mid strike. “What good is she to us if she is unconscious? Go take your angry ass over there and calm the fuck down. You’ll get your revenge. As shall I.”
Corey’s jaw locked. His breathing was loud in the silence that followed, but he did what Orlando asked, stepping back. He didn’t speak, but I saw how he still needed an outlet for thatunchecked rage. Orlando must’ve seen it too, because the next words out of his mouth wasn’t a suggestion.
“Go make yourself useful. Check on Isabella. She should’ve been back by now.”
Corey nodded curtly, but it didn’t take away the tension in his muscles or the flexing of his jaw. But he did what he was asked to, turning quickly, and snatching his phone from his back pocket. Orlando watched him walk a few feet away before turning his expressionless gaze toward me. The tension in the room was palpable. I had no clue what this man may do to me. Considering his wife and son were now casualties in a war he and his wife started.
I didn’t speak or move. At least not yet. I needed to see what his next move would be. Orlando folded his arms, studying me with a look that would have intimidated anyone else. His silence was heavy.
