Page 37 of Black Mark's Heart

"Here's fine, thank you. I'd prefer not to risk my father seeing me in Darius's car," I admitted. Clark nodded and stepped out while I tried to neaten my hair.

Darius finished correcting his clothing and took my hand to stop me opening my door. "I want to see you again, Mora. I still want us to be lovers."

I squeezed Darius's hand and let him see the regret in my eyes. "No, Dare. I hate having to keep secrets from the people I love. I despise that our relationship has been reduced to it."

The pain in his eyes matched the agony in my heart. I exhaled hard, giving in, just a little.

"I can't be your regular lover, but, when fate puts us in each other’s way like it did tonight, I won't say no, if I can." I leaned in quickly and kissed his luscious lips. "You've always been it for me, Dare. I'll never stop loving you."

I climbed out of the car and stepped onto the footpath, taking my cello from Clark. "Thank you, Clark."

Clark hesitated. "You did well, Mora," He praised me quietly. "I was worried, after how broken you seemed, that you couldn't recover." He squeezed my hand. "Don't let him pull you back in if he can't offer you what you deserve. You love him too much to survive his breaking your heart a second time."

"I won't." I kissed Clark's cheek and started walking down the street. My apartment was two blocks down. I noticed Clark sitting down the road, creeping forward to the next block as I crossed to the next, waiting to see what apartment building I entered.

I walked quickly to get out of the cold. I didn't mind Darius knowing where I lived. He didn't know which apartment I was in, and he was probably just making sure I made it inside safely. I waved goodbye as I stepped inside the foyer and closed the door.

***

I stepped inside the apartment to find Marshall walking around, trying to calm Jacob, who was crying. "Here's Mama now," Dad cooed.

I set the cello aside and removed my jacket. "Just let me change quickly, Dad," I excused as I rushed to the bedroom. I unzipped my dress as I stepped into the bedroom, throwing it aside. I pulled my lounge pants on with a loose fit stretch top that I could pull down to feed in.

Dad was at the door with Jacob when I turned around. "Thanks, Dad," I smiled, taking Jacob and giving him a kiss. He'd already grown so fast in five months.

I sat down in my reading chair and put Jacob to my breast. He latched on and quieted.

"He's been good up until fifteen minutes ago." Marshall came in, sitting on the end of my bed to talk. "I gave him a bath and tried to settle him, but it was like he knew you were due home and was wanting you to hurry up."

I smiled. "I missed you too," I cooed to Jacob.

Marshall smiled. "How was the concert? I wish I could have come, but I'd never pass up an opportunity to spend time with my grandson."

"The concert was good, but my God it's horrible outside," I shivered.

Marshall frowned, "I should have had Jack collect you. It didn't even occur to me."

I shrugged, "Darius was there. He gave me a lift home."

My dad's face closed down. "Did he just?"

"Yes. So I ran my business proposal past him, and he's agreed to sign the Carnival over to me," I informed him.

Marshall knew of my plan to take over the management of the Carnival. He was proud of me for trying to mix my parents’ business acumen with my creative genius. His words, not mine.

What Marshall didn't like was that I was going to have to negotiate with Darius to get it. Both he and Jeremy had offered to act as intermediaries. I'd declined, knowing if they did, Darius would refuse to sell or ask a price I couldn't pay.

Marshall looked surprised, "What was the cost?"

"Sex, in the back of his car on the way home," I answered honestly. I watched my father's eyes nearly explode from his eye sockets.

"Jesus, Mora!" Marshall stood. "The brotherhood will destroy him."

"No, Dad, because I'm not in a relationship with him," I reminded him. "It was sex. We haven't been together in a year next week, and it is not going to be an ongoing thing. I'm not his girlfriend, lover, or mistress. As far as the Fehu are concerned, I could have been a whore at a brothel. The fact that it was the man I love means nothing."

Marshall rubbed the back of his head in frustration. "Well, I hope you used protection this time. The last thing you need is to be a single mother of two children under two."

"I'm breastfeeding, Dad. I haven't even got my period back yet," I informed him.

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