Page 158 of Real's Love

“So was she, and obviously, they weren’t invited together,” Marlon observed.

Real tilted his head and stared at the younger Childress brother. “That’s not your business. Nothing about her is your business. Stay safe by remembering that.”

“Montréal, that’s not even called for—” I began.

“It’s like you can’t help yourself. You were just talking about missing me, but you out here feeling out other sponsors, huh?”

I drew in a sharp breath as hurt overwhelmed me.

“Hold up, bruh. You ain’t gotta to talk to her like that!” Marlon spat, squeezing my shoulder.

“And you ain’t gotta keep touching her, but here we are,” Real said, shrugging.

Chill kissed his teeth. “This can't be the shorty you were tearing the city up about, not with you acting like that,” he chided.

“Like I said, she hasn’t done anything for you to be talking to her disrespectfully, nigga,” Marlon added.

Real had the decency to look almost ashamed... Almost.

I shook my head suddenly. “Marlon, it's okay. Chill, will you tell Taleah and Kelsey that I'm gone?”

I didn't wait for his answer. I took off for my car, barely resisting the urge to break out and run through the huge house and the perfectly manicured front lawn. I could hear people calling my name, but I was too embarrassed and angry to stop. Suddenly, my upper arm was grabbed, bringing my steps to an impromptu halt. I already knew who it was.

“Let me go, Montréal,” I hissed.

“Nah. I thought you wanted to talk so bad?”

I yanked out of his grasp and whirled around. “You ready to talk about what I said?”

He didn’t say a word, but his mouth drew into a tight line and his eyes dropped.

“Exactly. Bye, Real.”

He didn’t say anything, but I felt his eyes on me all the way to my car. I went straight back to the vacation rental, stripped, and jumped into the shower, telling myself the water would hide the tears. A long while later, after I moisturized and pulled on a cropped tee and yoga pants, I remembered that I was out of water.

“Damn,” I cursed before putting on my shoes and dropping my key fob and phone into my purse.

I had backed out of the garage and was near the end of the driveway when a dark-colored Benz pulled behind me. Frowning, I blew the horn, ready to get this unplanned trip over with. When the car didn’t move, I opened the door and climbed out of mine. Driven by irritation, I wasn’t thinking straight until the driver’s door of the Benz opened.

Oh, shit, I thought, but decided to stand my ground. Aaqil’s handsome face appearing above the car’s roof surprised me, but I recovered quickly. I rolled my eyes.

“Why are you here?” I demanded.

“Me?” he asked, rounding the car and walking up the driveway. “Unfortunately,belle, I am here to borrow you. A little kidnapping; I was hoping you would not make it too complicated.” His eyes roamed over me, and he sighed. “But I see, I hoped for too much.”

I didn’t knowwhy the hell I even turned the TV on when I got out of the shower. I wouldn’t have been able to tell anyone anything that was on. The only things on my mind were how good my Love had looked in her little sundress at the cookout earlier, and when I was gonna give in and slide between those thick thighs again. She had the type of walls that made you functionally insane. No matter how I fought it, shorty had her hooks in me.

I stretched as I walked into the kitchen, then grabbed a tumbler and my bottle of Pappy Van Winkle. I hoped the bourbon would settle my mind.

Sitting on a stool at the counter, I nursed the glass half-heartedly as I scrolled through the latest news. My phone buzzed and I frowned when I saw Prime’s name. Something was wrong. Prime wouldn’t call unless something was up.

“Real,” he said, voice tight with urgency. “We got a situation. Everly’s car was found at the end of her driveway, door wide open. I’ve been trying to ping her location and no luck.”

“What the hell?” I shot up, nearly knocking over the drink. My mind raced, piecing together scenarios none of which ended well. “Please tell me you fucking lying to me right now?”

“Nah, man. You know I don’t play with the people I love and their safety. My people and I are on the way. I need you to start the search.”

A half hour later,I paced the floor of my living room like a caged lion, worry pressing down on my chest. I was blindsided by Love’s disappearance, especially after everything that had gone down between us.

---