Page 125 of Kentrell

But I knew better.

He was probably still out here somewhere, walking these same Chicago streets. And her mama? Zora used to sell pussy to him and to men just like him.

Zoe didn’t know none of that. She didn’t know the truth about where she came from. And that’s what kept me up sometimes—knowing she was living in a storybook while I was rooted in real life.

I hated that for her.

Hated that she was falling for me with her eyes wide shut.

Because no matter how soft she got… no matter how loud she moaned or how deep she kissed… none of it would be real until she faced what she didn’t wanna see.

That until she knew the truth of who she came from, she’d never be able to fully give herself to me.

Even if she thought she was.

Even if she swore up and down it was all mine.

That kind of love would be counterfeit.

And I wasn’t settling for that.

Not with her.

A knock hit the door.

Zoe lifted her head off my chest, eyes darting toward the sound.

“Who is it?” she called.

“It’s me,” Ayesha answered.

Zoe tried to sit up, but I tightened my grip around her waist. “Oh, hold on—” she started.

“Nah.” I pulled the covers higher, slinging them over both of us like a shield. “You good right here.”

“Kentrell.” She protested under her breath, giving me that look. I ignored it.

“Come in,” I called out.

Zoe’s head snapped back to glare at me. “You don’t get to invite people into my room!”

But the door was already cracking open, and Ayesha stepped in following my orders. Her eyes immediately danced over the scene—our clothes scattered across the floor, my bare chest half-exposed, Zoe tucked against me like she belonged.

“Oh, Iknowthat’s right!” Ayesha hollered, clapping her hands as Zoe’s cheeks flamed up.

“Ayesha!” Zoe hissed, burying her face in my shoulder.

“You be quiet,” I murmured, cupping her jaw as I kissed her temple. Then I looked past her to Ayesha. “Whatchu want?”

Ayesha was still smirking like she had just won a bet.

“I tried to wait,” she said, folding her arms like she had all morning. “But I gotta head into the office. Y’all been up here playing house.”

Zoe peeked up. “Mars is downstairs with Stacia?”

“Yeah,” Ayesha nodded.

“In the basement?” She asked slowly, as if she was anxious to hear Ayesha’s response.

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