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Trey hadn’t immediately gone back to the apartment, back to Dahlia. He couldn’t.
Before her, his apartment would’ve been his retreat. He’d come home, decompress, and get his mind right. Death wasn’t something he took on or looked at lightly. It had been a part of his life for as long as he could remember, but it didn’t mean he’d adapted. Trey needed space. He needed his time to breathe. His apartment was no longer his sanctuary for that. His place had become theirs, and he wouldn’t taint it with the blood on his hands. Literally.
Trey accepted Rogue’s offer and spent the next few hours at his house. Unlike Trey’s pristine, sleek apartment, Rogue’s home had more fanfare and an eclectic style. Trey never judged. They all came from nothing, and how they chose to spend their wealth was their own decision. Rogue didn’t necessarily showboat, but his ostentatious nature shined through in every facet of his home. They were sitting in silence in Rogue’s living room. Trey was struggling, knowing that Dahlia’s night had been a result of his place in the Underground.
“She’s fucking safe, Trey.”
Trey flattened his lips. “She wasn’t tonight.”
Even Rogue couldn’t argue with the truth.
“You ain’t letting her go. She’s yours. You fucking earned her,” Rogue said, taking a deep drag from his cigarette.
She is mine. But…
“Not sure that’s how it works,” Trey said.
Trey was lying. He knew for sure that wasn’t how it worked. “Ask and you shall receive” didn’t apply to people in his line of work. They were far from the chosen ones. And honestly? What exactly had Trey earned? He loved his life on the wrong side of the law. He’d committed so many crimes if he were caught, he’d never again see the light of day. There was nothing about him that was deserving or worthy of her and everything Dahlia was offering him.
“What the fuck are you talking about? That’s exactly how it fucking works, Trey! You gave up your fucking life for this life. You get something. You get her.”
Trey wasn’t sure if that was true, but he’d take it. Anything to rightfully keep her. Because he couldn’t let her go. A better man would have wanted more for her. An easy life. Trey wanted to be that man. But I’m not. He couldn’t let her walk away.
He arrived back at the somber apartment two hours later. It was quiet as he walked through the hall past Dahlia’s security. Had she had them earlier, this night would’ve turned out so differently. Trey walked down the short hall to the opening of the apartment. Sal was seated at the table, reading a book. He didn’t even acknowledge Trey. He turned, seeing Noelle stationed at the edge of the hallway. She straightened but remained silent. He stopped directly in front of her with his gaze locked on his bedroom door.
“How is she?”
Noelle looked over at the room and drew in a breath. “Good, I think. Karia’s been with her for a few hours.”
Trey nodded and stepped forward.
“I heard them talking. Dahlia laughed a little. That’s a good sign.”
It was. He glanced back at Noelle, and she froze.
“Thanks.”
She gave a subtle nod, and then she veered her gaze in the opposite direction.
He started to the end of the hall, stopping in their bedroom doorway.
Trey watched as Karia hugged Dahlia and walked across the room to retrieve her pocketbook. She smiled and started toward Trey, and he stepped aside.
“I’ll come by tomorrow and check up on you. Bring you lunch too.” Karia winked, and he glanced over to Dahlia.
“And the baby?” Dahlia asked.
Karia stilled and looked up at Trey. “If that’s okay?”
Trey nodded and followed her out and down the hall. Once they reached the living room, and he knew Dahlia couldn’t hear them, he called her name.
Karia stopped, facing the opposite direction. He almost didn’t hear her when she spoke. But he did.
“Promise me this won’t happen again, Trey.” Karia paused and turned back to him, her eyes red-rimmed and welled. She’d obviously been holding back in front of Dahlia, but her composure had been rocked. Karia drew in a breath, glancing back down the hall. “You don’t owe me anything. I know that. But I really…” She gasped a breath, tightened her lips, and looked up at him. Trey saw everything. Dahlia wasn’t just a woman who’d been attacked. She meant something to Karia. She inhaled a breath, seemingly collected herself, and then slid her gaze to Trey. “This can’t happen again. Not to her.”
“It won’t. You have my word.”
