Page 198 of The Ninth

“It doesn’t matter if it was one moment, it happened. You’re MINE! You don’t get to dictate how I feel when that’s threatened. Coming from the same nigga that would have reacted worse if it was the other way around!”

“I would’ve handled that shit outside of your business, shorty. Better yet, I would’ve taken your word that you wasn’t in some nigga’s face.”

“You keep putting your business in front of my fucking feelings! Beatrice is the one that called me and told me it was overly filled with bitches. I called you to speak and you never answered! If someone called you and said I was in Cassie’s house with mad niggas and wasn’t answering, you would’ve burnt the shit down! Instead of hearing me out and understanding my feelings, you’re scolding me for getting into a fight!”

“Because I never want you to have to come out of body. You’re mine like I’m yours, I don’t want you in the position to get hurt. I was about to treat that bitch before you blew in, folks. It took everything in me not to kill shorty after she put her hands on you. YOU almost put me in the position to flash out at the shop of all places!”

I hopped out before the truck came to a stop in the valet.

“AYE, SHORTY!” Duke yelled angrily behind me.

My body was somewhere between speed walking and running. I flew past security and towards the elevators. I understood what he was saying but it was still pissing me the fuck off. Because he doesn’t understand me. I’m not a bitch that will ever see that and pay it dust. It’s so much fucking deeper than he’s making it!

Before the doors could close, he ran on, causing the elevator to shake a little. I let out a long breath as we went up into the sky with his big ass breathing heavily next to me. You’d think the side of my face would melt off with how hard he was staring at me. As soon as the doors opened, he took my waist captive once again, rushing me to the apartment and inside.

“Who you walking away from?” he stood over me. Briefly...my pussy clenched.

“You’re not fucking hearing what I’m saying, Duke! Maybe I shouldn’t have flashed out, but I had every reason to! You don’t even know who the fuck that was! It was the same bitch you seen between my legs. The same hoe that saw us on the roof together. The same one you made me stop being friends with. YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT THE FUCK I BEEN THROUGH WITH HER! YOU DON’T KNOW THAT SHE WAS TRYING TO USE YOU TO HURT ME. YOU. DON’T. KNOW.”

With everything going on, I was feeling so emotional. His face softened immediately as he realized why I was so upset. The right thing to do would be to tell him right here. To tell everything that happened with Pink, Kenan, the set up. Instead? Tears ran down my face. I wrapped my arms around his body as his immediately grabbed onto me.

I shook my head slowly, “Baby, I’m tired. I can’t do this tonight.”

“I’ll give you space, my Devyn. Go to bed. I’ll be out here.”

I nodded. I started to pull away, but he stopped me. A feeling of relief came over me as he kissed my lips softly. He didn’t say anything, but his eyes told me we would be alright. My heart swooned as his thumbs caressed my lower stomach. I kissed him once more before turning away, going inside of my room that I barely see now.

****

My phone buzzed, slowly dragging me out of a deep sleep. My mother always said she knew when I had a lot going on because of how long I allowed myself to sleep in. I had no doubt that it was close to noon, if not noon already. I sat up on my knees, quickly reaching for my phone on the dresser. When I looked down, it was Cassie. It was also one in the afternoon.

Me: Yeah?

Cassie: What you on? YOU SLEEP?!

Me: Yeah...I just have so much on my mind.

Cassie: Duke ain’t beatcha yet?!

Me: What? No! We didn’t even finish arguing. I was so tired.

Cassie: If he’s anything like his brother, he’s gon work it out with dick or money plus love. When you finish, please call me so I can meet you at The Ninth. I have to talk to you.

Me: K3 knows you’re going?

Cassie: UH-UH, UH-UH!

Me: BYE!

I hung up before rubbing my face slowly. Glancing around the room, there was no sign of Duke at all.

I rocked back and forth slowly before realizing how much my mouth was watering. I gripped my stomach, trying to center myself. Trying to stop from gagging. Once I realized that wasn’t happening, I flew off the bed and out of my room.

I didn’t see Duke which was perfect. The bathroom door almost split down the middle as I slammed it shut. There was only enough time to throw one lid up before I threw up. I haven’t eaten since dinner, so a lot of it was just gagging and bile. All I could do was feel completely insane sitting here and throwing up. Man, what the fuck!

After flushing the toilet, I stood slowly. I didn’t feel nauseous or sick. I actually felt a lot better now. I stared at my face in the mirror while washing my hands. Once finished, I brushed the fuck out of my teeth before mouthwash. Now I just need to find out where Duke is...

As soon as I opened the door and stepped out, I smacked into a hard wall. He stood there in front of me with a bag of food, drinks, and the prettiest lilies which have become my favorite since meeting him. I couldn’t read his face to tell if he heard me or not. I had no way of knowing when exactly he came in.