Page 5 of Widow Mayker

“So, you really gon’ make me chase you, Major minus the o and r, add an a, makes the ‘uh’ sound?”

Chuckling, I shook my head at his charming ass. I wasn’t easily swayed by any man. Not a single one.

“Actually, I don’t want you to chase me. I’d rather be left alone. However, since you’ve thrown it out there that if we happen to bump into each other again, I’m willing to let you try and chase me.”

He licked his lips so seductively, then grinned. “Aight, bet.” He came closer to me, causing me to tilt my head back even more. “When I catch you, Maja… You’re mine.”

Something my heart never did, was speed up in my chest at a man’s nearness. I didn’t even think this thing inside my chest operated when it came to the opposite sex.

“I’m no one’s,” I responded, although my heart was in my throat.

“Damn, let me re-introduce myself.” He tweaked my chin. “No One Gunner. It’s nice to meet you.”

I narrowed my eyes at him but then cracked another smile. “Your charm work on every woman you step to?”

“Guilty.”

Glancing away, I chuckled. “That’s no surprise.”

“Let me surprise you.”

“Aht, aht. If we happen to run into each other again…”

“Right,” he replied, sheepishly.

I could tell he wanted to take back the offer. However, I wasn’t about to let him.

“It was nice meeting you, Vonshae.”

“No One,” he corrected.

Resisting the urge to giggle, I replied, “Nice try.”

Moving around him, I walked away. Only then did I breathe in deeply and exhale slowly. That man’s everything was something serious.

Shaking him off me, I slid back into my sedan and cranked her up. It was exceptionally muggy for May, but I was okay with it. This type of weather was perfect for mornings and nights on the patio. I couldn’t wait to just kick my feet up and relax.

When I drove through the gates of Bell Estates, a genuine smile broke my face as I rode down the long private street leading to my house. Maddie, Poppa, Heir, Shyah, my brothers, Adir, and Coco stood in the driveway of 11 Bell Place, waiting for me.

Excited, I parked, then jumped out of my door before Poppa could open it.

“Hey, baby,” he spoke to me. He enveloped me in a hug that warmed my soul. He was always such a good man. He stepped in and brought stability to my life when it was on the brink of destruction.

“Hey, Poppa! It’s good to see you.”

Mama pushed Poppa aside to take me in for a hug. “My baby is finally home for good. I’ve been crying all week.”

Giggling, I said, “I knew you would, but I’m glad to be back.”

“Being away from home was rough for me, too,” Heir stated as she hugged me. “I couldn’t wait to get back home and have a decent meal.”

On the outside, I smiled. On the inside, I felt like complete shit for letting Maddie, my mama, and myself down.

After Cassidy’s death, I divided my time between my studies and nursing the anger that boiled inside me. Since the night I killed Raphael, I’d been in the trenches doing things I could never speak of to either of them. If Poppa or Adir knew of my transgressions, neither ever spoke of it. Somehow, I wouldn’t be surprised if they knew exactly what the hell I’d been doing the last seven years.

I felt like shit, though. All they wanted for me was for me to lead a normal life. However, my life would never be normal.

VONSHAE GUNNER