Page 29 of The Filth Kings

“I’m fine.” I partially lied.

We had been here for three hours, and in just those three hours we went back to my truck at least three times to put bags of clothes and shoes inside of my trunk. Natavi went crazy picking out shoes for not just herself but me. Jean, shirts, dress clothes to go out in that I never planned on putting on and a lot of other shit that I felt was unnecessary.

I eyed the crowd of people that seemed to swirl around us in a blur. I held her hand with one hand with my other hand resting on my waist just in case I had to pull my gun out. People moved in all directions, heads down, phones in hand, again I felt like I didn’t belong. My world was quieter, smaller, and way darker than all the colors moving in front of me.

“Just a couple more stores, then we can head over to Living Spaces. Since I have a couple of weeks left at your house, I’m going to need a comfortable bed, hell, you need one too.” She shook her head then tightened her grip in my hand.

She pulled me through the mall, walking faster than I normally walk.

“There’s nothing wrong with our beds.”

“It is! They hard as hell and?—”

A broad shoulder collided with hers as she walked in front of me gripping my hand. It jarred her off balance and for a split second, I blacked out, ready to pull my gun out and shoot the clumsy idiot that bumped into Natavi. He bumped her so hard that she let go of my hand and fell, which angered me further.

“Damn, watch where the fuck you walking. Always in a rush to spend the next man’s money,” he stated casually laughing.

I ignored him with the need to murder him riding me hard. The mall was alive, too many people walked past us for me to do anything, but I had to do something. I sized him up, he was no match for a fist fight but he was worthless in my eyes. His short chubby frame with deep crater sores messing up his light skinned complexion told me that he rode a delusional ego.

I looked down into Natavi’s eyes, her natural curly lashes framed her eyelids perfectly. I crouched beside her with concern and something deeper that I couldn’t name right off the back caused my chest to tighten.

“You, okay?” I asked her.

Natavi’s eyes hit the ground, unsure but nevertheless, she nodded her head yes. I could tell that she was embarrassed. I pulled her up to her feet and really took in her looks. Natavi was tall, at least 5’10, and her skin was a bright golden color that was now beet red. Even with her feeling however she felt right now, a person wouldn’t be able to deny her of her raw beauty.

Her nose was straight with rounded nostrils that flared as she took in deep breaths. Natavi’s lips pouted out as she started to rub up and down her arm. I observed her at my house and noticed that she rubbed up and down her arms when something was bothering her.

“Howard, you did that shit on purpose. Move around.” Natavi hissed at this dead man walking.

I turned to her and slowly reached up to fix the strands of her that stuck to her diamond shaped face. I locked eyes with her and shook my head no. Natavi had her hair in a high curly ponytail with a small part and long bangs framing each side of her face. I thought the hair style was nice, it fit her face, but Howard-the-Coward just had to go and fuck it all up. He ruined a good day for all of us, especially myself. I never in my life walked around the mall with a beautiful woman who wasn’t ashamed to hold my hand in public. I instantly felt challenged. I tried to force myself to think rationally, but was that really even me? Hell fuckin’ no.

“Don’t say shit to him,” I said in a low menacing tone.

With my rough hands, I grabbed either side of her face and pecked her lightly on the forehead. Her big eyes grew big in surprise, then she did something that I didn’t expect her to do for me…Natavi blushed; she blushed so hard that her cheeks tinted up bright red.

“You sure you good, Tavi?” I asked her once more before I gave this Howard-the-Coward guy my undivided attention.

“Yes, Monni. I’m okay… I’m just ready to go now, he ruined my mood.” Her voice elevated a little.

“Okay,” I simply said then grabbed her hand as I turned toward Howard.

“Behind me,” I stated without looking over at Natavi.

Once I was sure that she got behind me, I stepped further into Howard-the-Coward’s face and grilled him.

“You miss her?” I sneered, looking down at his short frame.

I could smell the fear reeking from his pores. He stuttered with his eyes wild, looking around at everyone in passing except maintaining eye contact with me.

“No, I, I didn’t mean to?—”

“There you are, babe! I’ve been looking all over for you. Here, hold these and let’s go over to the food court.” A pretty Asian woman walked up with a high-pitched voice holding too many designer bags for her tiny, short frame.

Howard-the-Coward quickly turned away from me to busy himself to gather up all of her bags. The woman made eye contact with me; she turned her lip up like there was something pungent in the air.

“Oh!” She exclaimed, as she clutched her imaginary pearls.

“Is this your uh, friend?” She asked Howard-the-Coward. He quickly shook his head no and walked away from me toward the food courts.

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