Page 60 of Quasim II: King Inferno

“So serious… he told me that was payment for taking care of me. I never felt taken care of, even with my ex. He always had something or someone more important and I fell to the back. I allowed it because it became normal. Yasin actually made me feel taken care of… I like feeling that way.”

I could relate with Kiki about not feeling taken care of. I’ve always been the one having to be strong because I only had me. Even when I was in a relationship, I still only had me, myself, and I. Having a man care so much to do things that made you happy was a foreign feeling for me. Tyshawn paying for my studio when I first opened it wasn’t because he wanted to make me happy. It was guilt because of what he did to me, and he didn’t know how to open his mouth to make it right.

Not that he could.

From the first time I laid eyes on Quasim, I felt different about him. It was how he looked at me, knowing my secret without me ever having to tell him. Ever since, I always felt like someone was watching me, protecting me, and making sure that I was alright.

Other than Augusta Mae, I never had that before. He wouldn’t allow love to find him because he carried so much guilt in his own heart. I wanted to love him past all his pain and restore him again.

A great man.

When he rescued me when Tyshawn kidnapped me, that was when I saw it. He wanted to love me, too, and was too scared to trust his heart to love me.

“Allow him to do that for you… we deserve to have a second chance at being in love and being fucked right.”

“Blair!” she snorted.

I shrugged. “It’s the truth… I enjoy King having his way with me.”

Kiki covered her ears. “He’s like a brother to me… gross.”

“Give me a reason to cover my ears and say gross.” I nodded toward Yasin who was assisting in helping Elijah dig a huge hole on the beach.

She sighed. “Maybe.”

We both fell into silence as we watched them continue to dig a hole. “I’m pregnant.”

Kiki gasped and tears instantly filled her eyes. “Seriously?”

“Yeah. I’m so damn nervous. I’ve been pregnant before and it didn’t end well with me… so I’m nervous about everything.”

Kiki leaned forward and grabbed my hands as tears fell down her face. “I know the last time didn’t end well for both of you. I can’t imagine the bittersweet feelings and emotions you both are feeling. This time it will work out for you both, and you will have a beautiful baby. You and Quasim deserve this more than anybody. He loves so hard, B. The commitment he has made when it came to taking over as the leader was more than just stepping in for his father. He’s protected and loved us each like we were Meer. When my ex-boyfriend tossed me out of our apartment because my name wasn’t on the lease, he allowed me to stay with him. Beat the shit out that ex, but that’s neither here nor there. He’s always been there for everybody but never lets anyone be there for him. You are that someone for him.”

“He’s that somebody for me.”

Kiki pulled me up and we hugged. “Girl, we out here being emotional, but I love this for us.”

“Oh shit, we giving hugs,” Yasin came over and hugged Kiki from behind and kissed her on the cheek.

“Yasin, move yourself now because why is it like that?”

“You in that bathing suit… shit. I always knew you were thick, but damn, Ki.”

She shoved him away, snatched her iPad and beach bag. “I am going to shower and get ready for dinner tonight.”

I laughed as Yasin was about to bite his lip off while he watched her stomp through the sand. “B, I want you to remember something for me.”

“What’s that?” I asked, gathering my own things so I could make Elijah take a shower, then take a quick nap before dinner.

“On this date, I told you on this beach, that she’s going to be my wife. Need you to add that into your speech you give at the reception… ight?”

I smiled. “I got you, Yasin.”

Elijah ran over when he saw me leaving, and we made our way back to our condo. Sim booked two condos, one for Hassan and Yasin, and then the one next door for me, Kiki, and Elijah. Both units shared a huge wraparound balcony.

“Can I call Sim?” Elijah asked as he shook the sand all over the lobby of this building. His tanned skin was toasted from being out in the sun for hours.

I handed him his phone and he hit Quasim’s contact. The FaceTime call continued to ring out and he tried to call him again, and the call ended on him. “He’s not picking up. He always picks up his phone.”

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