Page 275 of Kentrell

“I’m fine,” I lied, quick and easy. “Just overwhelmed with work. You know how I get when I go deep on a case.”

There was a pause on her end. She didn’t believe me, not really. But she didn’t push.

“All right,” she said slowly. “Just… don’t shut me out, okay? Not this time.”

“I won’t,” I whispered, knowing damn well I already had.

I just needed time to think. Everybody was compromised. And my mother was partially the reason behind Malcolm wanted me dead.

FRONT DOOR—OPEN

My breath hitched.

Then his voice.

“Zoe, I’m home?”

I froze. Listening to his clunky boots thud throughout the halls.

He was getting closer and my heart was beating faster.

Then he appeared in the doorway of the office, all smiles, carrying a brown paper bag in one hand and a cold bottle of Blue Mystic in the other.

“Got whatchu wanted, bae,” he grinned. “Wussup?”

His smile faded the moment I lifted the folder.

The folder.

His whole body stilled.

“So,” I began, my voice trembling but sharp, “this was your cheat sheet to everything Zoe.”

I held it up between us like it was a weapon. Like itwasn’t.

“Every surprise lunch. The flowers. Always knowing what I wanted and thought—you knew because you weren’t just my client. You weren’t this arrogant, crass, do-what-you-want-ass nigga Malcolm pawned off on me.”

“Zoe—”

“No!” My voice cracked, raw and shaking. “Didn’t you say we weren’t gonna lie to each other?”

Tears rushed forward like they’d been waiting their turn.

“You told me that, Kentrell!” I cried. “You told me you wouldn’t accept a lie and I gave you that. I honored whatever you wanted. I did everything.”

My voice broke again.

“Ilovedyou,” I whispered, barely holding myself upright. “Gave myself to you. I thought we were on the same page.”

He dropped the bag and moved fast, crossing the room before I could stop him.

“No!” I sobbed as he reached for me. “Don’t—please—just—don’t.”

But I was too weak to fight him off. My limbs gave up as he wrapped his arms around me.

“I love you—I'm so stupid,” I cried into my hands, shoulders shaking with the force of it. “I couldn’t even see you playing in my face.”

Kentrell held me tighter, silent for now.

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