Page 99 of Real's Love

I shook my head and she stopped.

"Didn't I say I was gon' protect you?"

Pulling her into my arms, I held her for a minute, enjoying the feel of her as she relaxed into me. For a moment, she let herself go, absorbing the kind of comfort only I would give her from now on. I could tell the minute her doubts returned, though. I let her pull back, waiting on whatever she was going to say.

"I don't think I'm ready for you and your protection. I should really get back in there with my family," she mumbled, refusing to meet my eyes.

I held out an arm in the direction of the building, gesturing for her to go before me.

"Ladies first."

Her head snapped up then, her eyes wide in the glow of one of the lights posted around the parking lot. "You going back, too?"

"Mm-hmm."

"Targen, you have blood on your hands!" she gasped.

I held my hands up and studied them. This? This wasn’t shit. Usually, when I handled a nigga bare-handed, I needed to spend an hour in the shower. My lips twisted as I looked down at her.

"This little spatter? I’ma wash that shit off."

Frowning, she glared up at me.

"You going back to sit with Fawn?"

I shrugged. "She's a nice chick. I owe her a drink."

She grabbed each of her arms with the opposite hand and stood there, like she was deep in thought.

"Let's go, Theory," I prodded.

"No!"

"No?"

"You like her?" she demanded.

Frowning, I acted confused. "What? Like wh-"

"Don't play with me, Targen. You like Fawn?"

I lifted one shoulder. "I mean, she's cute and she's funny."

Theory made a soft, angry sound as she hugged herself.

"You can't go back in there with her," she announced suddenly.

I bit back a smile at my baby's jealousy. "Why?"

Her eyes narrowed as she grilled me. She refused to answer me. Seconds ticked by and we just stared at each other.

"Why, Theory?" I pressed eventually.

"Because I don't want you to, and you know it. And why are you calling me that now?"

Her voice was low as her hands tightened on her arms. This time, my confusion was real.

"Why am I calling you your name?"

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