Page 90 of DeLucas After Dark

I growled, letting my anger boil from my gut through my mouth. “Don’t, right now. I need that information like last week. If somebody is fucking me over, I’m taking it out on your ass. It’s my job to lead this family. That means it’s your job to be fucking supportive, however I need you to be. I don’t trust anybody but you with this. Quit dragging your ass. Find. It. Martina.”

“You don’t have to be mean, Ami.” Her voice was so low that it tethered on the edge of a whisper.

“I’m not. I can’t make sure you’re safe if I don’t know what’s coming. Help me keep this shit on point. I hate repeating myself and you know it. I’m not being mean. I’m demanding you to do your part. Do it the first time that I as k, and I won’t have to get ‘mean’.”

“Understood. There’s just so much–”

“You wanted to help. This is how you do that. Handle things when I ask you to.”

“What are you even looking for?”

“Something I don’t already know. I get that you probably won’t know what I mean until you see it. Once you get a system, it’ll be easier to see if something sticks out. If you don’t find it, I’ll be able to look through the organized version.”

“I can handle that. I’ll get it done.”

“Good. I need to leave town. Don’t be alarmed if you don’t see me for a few days.”

“Okay. What about Simone?”

“She’ll be fine. It’s not like the two of you won’t hang out. Fast friends and all.”

“I’ll keep her busy.”

“I bet you will. Don’t max out any credit cards.” I warned her.

“We do more than shop.”

“Sure. Get it done, Martina.”

“On it.” She exhaled and ended the call.

Now I needed to tell Simone and hope that she didn’t freak out about me being gone for an unforeseen amount of time. Then I could focus on who in the hell this mystery person is.

SIMONE

Three weeks later

Beni insisted that it was time for my mother to meet his family, but I wasn’t sure about that. She was big on tradition, and I hadn’t introduced the two of them yet. She wasn’t a fool. My mother was going to see straight through his expensive suits and smooth demeanor, then ask me why I was bringing him into her home. She’d know exactly what he was about in less than two point four seconds.

Beni wasn’t slick either. I knew why he wanted to meet her. I found the damn ring when I was cleaning up. At least it better be for me. Thinking about it being for another woman made my baseball bat twitch. I wish a chick would think she’s taking his fine ass away from me. He was too perfect by my side and together we were like magic, fairy dust and all. That’s why I was standing outside my mother’s door, pacing on the porch, trying to figure out the best way to tell her that I was serious about a man and wanted her to meet him.

“Simone?” The familiar voice stopped me in my tracks and had me spinning around to figure out how I hadn’t noticed her open the door.

“Mommy,” I exhaled and pulled my bravado from my toes. “I need to talk to you.”

“Well, yes. It’s either that or you’re out here to wear down the wood.”

I giggled, releasing the tension from my shoulders. “I met somebody.”

“Me too. A few somebodies. Every time I go to the supermarket.” She smiled at me, and it actually met her eyes.

Overwhelmed, I hugged her tight and didn’t let go. “I love you, Mommy.”

“I love you, too. Now come in and tell me about the man who made you forget all about that lying fool, Marcus.”

“Mommy, you know he was murdered.” I reminded her gently.

“Because he finally messed with the wrong person. Now, come in here and tell me about…”

---