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“Why you leave the bed without telling me?” I barked as I stepped out onto the patio.
She jumped, turning to glare at me. “Ray! You scared the shit out of me!”
“And you scared the shit out of me when I woke up and you were gone. Why the fuck you out here in a got damn robe? You gon’ get sick.”
She turned her head, staring at nothing again. “I just needed to think.”
“Think your ass back in this house. You’re pregnant. You ain’t got no business out here in the cold and shit. You about to upset me.”
She sighed, pushing back from the table and lifting from the chair. I took her hand to lead her into the house and almost blew a gasket. Her skin was ice cold.
Back in bed, I held her to me and inquired, “The fuck you need to think about that you couldn’t think about it lying next to me?”
“Life. People. Felice.”
I shut my eyes, tightening my hold on her. “She’s dead, baby.”
“I know. Just wondering why. Can’t help it.”
“I know, but it doesn’t matter. She was messed up in the head. You know that. Ain’t no good reason other than that.”
“Yeah. You’re right.”
“Did you hear my stomach at your house because you are right on time!” I said as I opened the door. “When I saw you at the gate, I almost screamed hallelujah!”
“Now, you know I always bring y’all dinner on Sundays. This Sunday is no different,” she said, lifting the casserole dish she held.
“Yes, ma’am. Let’s go in the kitchen so I can see what I’m about to demolish today.”
She laughed as she followed me into the house.
Once we were in the kitchen, she removed the lid from the dish with flourish and sang, “I hope you’re in the mood for my oven fried chicken.”
“Aww, shit! You know that’s my favorite, Miss Pauline!” Ray boomed as he entered the kitchen.
“Mmhmm, and you can go out to my car and get the rest of the food. It’s some mashed potatoes and English peas plus some yeast rolls out there,” Pauline informed him.
“That ain’t no problem. I’ll go grab that stuff right now,” Ray said.
I headed out to Pauline’s car, or rather, either Memphis’s or Umber’s future wedding gift. She was in the Shelby, and it looked damn good. I grabbed the bags holding the food from the passenger seat and returned to the kitchen to find it empty. Frowning, I was about to call Lilith’s name when my phone dinged with a message from her: Can you come to the panic room? I need you.
38
“What the hell?” I yelled when I stepped into the room to find Pauline tied to a damn chair with what looked like a towel shoved in her mouth. “Lilith! What the fuck is going on?!”
39
“That’s what I’d like to know, and I told her if she doesn’t tell me, I’ma shoot her ass,” I said as I held my twenty-two on her.
Ray’s mouth dropped open, his eyes shifting between me and Pauline. “Did you have that gun in the kitchen?”
I nodded. “In my bra.”
“In your bra?!”
“Yeah. Close the door. Valentina just put Blaze down for a nap,” I told Ray.
He shut it, his eyes rounding the space before settling on me. “Baby, why?—”
