Page 2 of Bully

“You good?” Merc checked, making his way next to me.

“Yeah, brother. Everything is everything.” Running my fingers down my mouth, I tried to contain the rage that was building within me. “I need to walk him out, but I’ll be back.”

Without waiting for PJ to follow, I headed out of the room. Once we were outside, I turned to face him.

“I need fifteen minutes,” I said. “Fifteen minutes to marry my girl. Then I’ll come.”

PJ’s head shook. “You got two to say goodbye.”

“Fuck!” I swore through gritted teeth, punching the wall next to me.

As much as I hated agreeing, I didn’t have a choice. If Rocco was requesting that favor, it wasn’t an actual request. PJ was the calm before the storm. I couldn’t risk anything happening to anyone in this banquet hall because of me. So as much as I didn’t want to, I nodded my agreement and headed to Innvy’s dressing room.

All I could do was pray she was understanding and gave me grace instead of hating me for this. My angel didn’t know about my past and the things I used to be into, and this wasn’t the way I wanted her to find out. Still, I knocked on the door and decided to be as honest as I possibly could be without telling her details it would put her in danger to know…

After I knocked on the door, I stepped back and took a deep breath. Innvy’s mother, Bianca, poked her head out and lit up at the sight of me. I didn’t know how I was looking, but whatever my expression held made hers sadden.

“Is everything alright, Bully?”

“I need to talk to Innvy.”

Bianca chuckled nervously as she stepped out into the hallway. “Is this absolutely necessary? She’s getting ready to walk down the aisle to you.”

“I need to see her, Mama B. Now.”

Without waiting for her to agree, I walked around her and into the bridal suite. Ignoring Innvy’s gasp, I took her by the hand and gently led her outside.

“Bully, what is this? Are you okay?”

Gripping her shoulders, I swallowed hard as my eyes watered.

“I don’t have the time to explain, but I have to go.”

She stared at me for a few seconds before laughing. “You’re joking right?”

“No, Angel. I’m not.”

“What do you mean you have to go?” she whined as her eyes watered.

“I did some shit back in the day that I’m having to pay for now. When I come back, I promise I’ll fix this. We can get married and forget about this little hiccup.”

“It’s time,” PJ said, causing Innvy to jump as she looked back to see where the voice was coming from.

Her arm wrapped around me as she asked, “Who is he?”

“I can’t talk about it, Innvy. Just know I’m really sorry this is happening on our wedding day. I’ll make it up to you. I promise.”

“Now, Bully,” PJ said.

“It can’t wait just a few minutes?” Innvy asked, grabbing my hands. “We can literally just run down the aisle and say I do.”

I clenched my jaw as I cupped her cheek, willing my tears to dry. “You deserve better than that, Angel.”

“Bully—”

“Aight, nigga, damn!” I roared louder than I’d meant to when PJ called my name.

“Bully,” Innvy gritted. “Tell me what the hell this is about. Now.”

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