Page 3 of When Darkness Comes Knocking
Chapter
One
Perrae
1 month later
June 2025
“What you think, girl? Talk to me,” I questioned my client, Tika.
She stared in the mirror with the widest grin on her face as she admired the butt-length boho braids I’d just installed. “Perrae, girl, you ate down again. My vacation to Turks and Caicos is really about to be lit now!” She squealed with excitement.
“Thank you, babes. You know I do what I can,” I responded.
Tika laughed. “Girl, bye. You know you the best damn braider on this side of town.”
“Aww. I love how y'all ride for me.”
“That's because me and all your other clients love the quality service you provide. You can't get this level of expertise and quality from nowhere else, except The Braiding Haus,” Tika informed me.
I smiled at her as I swept around us a bit. “Thank you so much, babes. You know I appreciate you all.”
Tika fiddled in her purse until she handed me three hundred dollars.
My brows furrowed together. “Your remaining balance was only two hundred and fifty dollars, girl. Remember, you paid your deposit already.”
“Girl, that’s your tip. You treat me too damn good up in here not to get one,” she quickly defended.
I grinned. “Aww, thank you, babes. You know I appreciate it.”
“You’re welcome, love. Enjoy the rest of your day. I’m out of here.”
“You too. Have a safe yet fun trip,” I professed. Tika and I shared a quick hug before she exited my store.
Craig, the neighborhood addict, walked over to my station and immediately cleaned up my mess. I hired him to keep my braiding salon clean. He never missed a beat.
My salon was always clean, mopped, and sanitized. Craig went over and beyond, and I paid him quite well under the table. He had enough money to rent a room in a house, pay his bills, and afford his habit.
I wanted him to get clean, but he told me too many times that he’d tried, but he couldn’t beat that monkey. Craig was such a strong person. I hated he dealt with a beast that he couldn’t shake. He was always in my prayers. I’d never stop praying for him.
The bell on my door jingled as I washed my hands in a nearby sink. It was my lunch break, so I knew it wasn’t my client. My last client wouldn’t be here for another two hours. But a deep and panicked voice filled my ears.
Catcalls quickly filled my salon. “Damn you fine.”
“Tall and tattoos. That’s my type.”
“What I wouldn’t give to be in those jeans.”
I shook my head. The hairstylists I hired had no filter. No man was safe unless it was one of theirs. Lexi and I were the only single women in the shop.
After dealing with my kids' father off and on, I cut him off, and now I’d been celibate for the last four years. It was one of the best decisions I’d ever made.
“Excuse me, Miss. I need some serious help. You were the first salon I drove by and spotted.
I turned to observe the male visitor. The moment our eyes locked, I released an almost unnoticeable breath. This Adonis wore a wavy, tapered fade and carried hella tattoos on his visible, muscular arms, around his neck, and up to the small tattoos under his right eye.
As I examined the linebacker of a man, I was enthralled with his light brown eyes, solid and tone build, and the small bow shape of his legs. His dark hazelnut complexion made me lick my lips, as if I’d recently serviced the knob that was well outlined in his fitted black jeans. His white polo appeared almost majestic against his skin, highlighting the brown hues in his eyes, skin, and salt and pepper fade.
