Page 79 of Weddings on the West: Vol. I Brick & Destiny

“It’s okay,” I said.

“It’s not,” she replied. “If I crossed a line with you, I’m sorry… I just don’t want you to be uncomfortable with me,” she said, cupping my face in her hand. I just stared back at her, breath caught in my chest. She rubbed her thumb over my cheek and leaned in closer.

“Fuck y’all doing in here?! Ooh! I love puzzles!” The sound of Kilo’s booming voice scared me so bad that I bumped the table in an effort to get back from her. Puzzle pieces flew up in the air before scattering all over the place.

Kat and I looked at each other with doe eyed expressions before turning away. Kilo, Pistol, Kalida, and Main had been popping up in shifts to make sure I didn’t execute some great escape from the security guards while Brick was working. At that moment, I was thankful as fuck for Kilo’s loud ass because what the fuck was happening?

* * *

Later that day, I saw the sun for the first time in a week as I rode around with Brick. I guess he was tired of my moping, so he took me out to get early dinner and dessert and just drove me around the city. I assumed he thought I didn’t notice the blacked out Escalade trailing us the whole time and the men in black in every corner of the restaurant. I played it off, and we ended up having an amazing night regardless.

“You feelin’ better?” he asked as we rode peacefully with the windows down, him gripping my thigh, and my hand rubbing the back of his head.

“What do you mean?” I frowned at him.

“Listen, I know I been on you lately, and the shit sucks. I just need you to be safe,” he said seriously. I looked at him and rubbed my thumb over his face. He looked like he felt so guilty.

“Baby, I never said anything. I understand why things are like this.”

“You didn’t have to say shit. You think I don’t know my woman? It’s my responsibility to know when you’re upset and to make you happy, just as much as it is to keep you safe. I fuckin’ hate that you’re going through this bullshit because of me. I swear once all this shit has passed, I’ll make it up to you.”

“I know you will… because you love me,” I teased. He still wouldn’t say it back, but the way he turned gooey every time I brought it up was the most adorable thing ever.

“Don’t even start that bullshit, Peep,” his words were rough, but I could see the smile teasing the corners of his mouth and the flushed tint to his cheeks. I decided to let it go for the moment.

“Baby, can we stop by my apartment while we’re out?”

“Your what?” He cut his eyes at me. “Last I checked, you lived at 4101 Legacy Drive. You know, the big ass crib with the fuckin’ burnt patch in the back?” Since we had been on lockdown, the gardener hadn’t been able to access the property for the past three weeks. I got bored enough to order my own damn grass seeds to try to grow it back myself, but clearly I had no idea what the hell I was doing. I just had to look on in shame as he went and stood in the middle of it every morning while he drank his morning coffee to rub my nose in it.

“My old apartment,” I corrected. I still had the lease for two more months, so I had the key until time to turn it in. “I have a few books there that I want to grab.” Though I wasn’t getting regular orgasms back then, the girls in my books were. I got so caught up in the impromptu wedding planning that I forgot that I still needed to figure out whether Marley and Czar patched things up, how Myles and Jocelyn’s unique story ends, and which one of those fine ass Martin Brothers found love next.

“We can order whatever books you want, and they’ll be at the crib by morning,” he fussed.

“But I already have my books. That’s just wasteful, Brickly.”

“Fine,” he huffed before turning back in the direction of my old stomping grounds. When we pulled up, I quickly pulled my seatbelt off.

“Can you tell security to stay in the car, please baby? I don’t want all these people up here scaring Mr. Kingsley. You know he already thinks everything is a conspiracy!” I laughed, thinking about my old neighbor who swore the man was out to get him.

“You know ‘bout the security?” Brick asked with a shocked expression on his face.

“Do you think I can’t see?” I asked, returning a blank one before laughing. “Julius was standing right there eating a chicken wing like I couldn’t see him at the restaurant!”

“Fuck,” he grumbled. “I’ma slap the fuck out his big ass. I’m sorry. I tried to make this as normal for you as possible.”

“And I appreciate that,” I said, giving him a quick peck. “But I also appreciate you doing your part to keep us both safe. I know how protective you are over me, but I don’t think you understand how I’d be willing to lay somebody down over you.”

“Oh…” His brows raised and he looked at me with an amused smile. By that point he was at my door. “You comin’ like that, Mrs. West?”

“Behind Brick Ismael West? Absolutely,” I assured him as he helped me out of the car, grabbed me, and tossed me over his shoulder.

“Baby, please!” I laughed as I held on for dear life. I should have been used to that by now. He gave a signal to his security before heading towards the stairs.

“You know,” I whispered. “We never got to do it in my apartment.” He gave me a hard smack to the ass and let out a pleased grunt.

“No time like the present.” He jogged up the stairs with me over his shoulder like it was nothing, quickly opened the door, and walked us inside.

The moment we stepped inside, I knew something was wrong. There was half eaten food on the living room table and shoes by the door that I didn’t leave there.