Page 103 of Obsessive Love

I shrugged and then kissed her forehead. “I’m just saying, if you miss it so much, I can bring it back out.”

“Sir, I have hidden all your Epi-pens,” she said, looking up at me. I couldn’t tell if she was joking or not. I narrowed my eyes at her, and she smiled sweetly. “Try me if you want to. You’ll be going to the light and staying.”

“Noted,” I chuckled and pulled her close. Fable wrapped her arms around my waist, and we just chilled. Xoey, Mercy, and Legacy sat on the bottom steps talking. “Hell Raiser and Point Guard are locked down. It’s Plus Twelve’s turn.”

“Don’t rush her,” Fable said as she turned around and rested her front against my back. I held her close and rested my chin on top of her head. Her hair was back to its naturally curly stage, and I loved it.

“Nah, baby, it's time,” I said, shaking my head. “She needs to sit down, fall in love, and know peace like the rest of us.” Xoey turned around and looked at me like she knew we were talking about her. She gave us a small wave before turning back around and continuing her conversation with Legacy and Mercy. “She deserves it.”

“I bet Xoey has never done anything on anybody else’s schedule.”

“Probably not,” I agreed. “When we get home, I need to talk to you about something.”

“What’s wrong?” she immediately asked and tried to turn around.

“Nah, be still, and just chill,” I said, then put my hand on her stomach to keep her from moving. “We're good; I just want to run some stuff about your pop past you.”

After talking with my brothers, we came to the agreement that we would handle the shit that Javien Jr. was talking about personally. There was no reason to drag anyone else into it, especially since it seemed his beef was with us, specifically me. Ispoke with Xoey about it yesterday, and while she disagreed, she said she would sit on the information until she couldn’t.

“What did Javien Sr. do now?” she sighed. “He still owes you money, doesn’t he?”

“I told you that debt was wiped clean,” I said, kissing the top of her head. “I ain’t trippen off no money I was prepared never to get back.”

“And my bakery?”

“Agree to marry me, and it’s yours,” I said, and she squeezed my forearm. We sat down and discussed her next steps. Her leaving me wasn’t an option; if she wanted to leave, then I was going with her. I could run Stone ENT from anywhere. Fable agreed to stay in KC with the stipulation that I had to convince Yamari to stay too. I didn’t know how I was going to do it, but I was making a few phone calls to some of my boys to see what they had in mind and if they could help. My boy Cohen offered to burn down her office for me and to be honest that shit didn’t sound like to bad of an idea. “You already agreed to stay, we are in a relationship. I only see us moving forward. Marriage is the next step. You ain’t gotta agree now but just know that I’m going to ask and if you say no I’m getting on the phone with Zhane and having her build another cell.”

“That’s who built the first one?” she reared back to look up at me. “And she didn’t question as to why you would need it?”

“Nah, she asked,” I laughed. “I didn’t know at the time what it was for, though. I had it built a year ago, and it’s just been sitting.”

A year ago, shit was starting to change for me, and I didn’t even realize it. I went out looking for Javien Sr to kill him, only for him to offer me a deal that would later lead me to the woman that I wanted as my wife and mother to my children. If I didn’t hate that nigga so much, I would thank him, but I do so I won’t. Hell, I might just before I kill him.

“It be your own friends,” Fable giggled, then turned her attention back to the people around us. “Thank you, Pyrite. I didn’t realize it then, but you taking me was the best thing that could have ever happened.

“Shit I’d do it again if I had to,” I said then kissed the top of her head.

The doors to the building opened, and Yale stepped outside. She was in town for Hood and Legacy’s engagement despite Amethyst being pissed about it. My brother still hadn’t said anything but followed her around like her personal security guard. Yale approached Diara, KO, Vine, and Yamari, who had instantly bonded with the women. They stood on the other side of the steps, talking. Amethyst stood by the door, a mug on his face and his arms crossed. I chuckled and shook my head; he was a grown man. If he refused to open his mouth, then that was on him. Morning stood on the other side of the women, watching Diara closely. He was no better than Amethyst, in my opinion. Ki and Destyn chased each other around Morning’s legs. He didn’t let either kid get too far from him. Seeing it was comical because adults feared Morning, but the toddler and pre-schooler treated him like a jungle gym.

A black truck pulled up and parked near the steps. Gift Blackmon exited the car, rounded it, and opened the door for his sister. Purpose approached Xoey, Mercy, and Legacy while Gift stood near the truck, talking to Four Strong and Corinthians DeCorte.

“Looks like you may get your wish,” Fable said.

Xoey took off her shoes and said a few words to Purpose, who looked like she was trying to keep Xoey with her, but lost the battle. Xoey approached Gift and extended her hand. Whatever she said made him laugh and smile.

“That nigga said he couldn’t handle crazy and needed calm,” I laughed.

“Close enough,” Fable laughed.

Another car pulled up and parked next to Gift’s, but no one got out. Behind me, I heard Diara talking as she descended the stairs, but my focus was still on the car in the circular driveway. The passenger side windows rolled down, and everything seemed to be in slow motion. I turned my body and threw Fable to the ground just as shots blasted through the air.

I heard someone scream. I didn’t know who it was, but I knew it wasn't good from the sound. I pulled my gun from the back of my pants, kissed Fable on the head, and whispered in her ear, “I’m obsessed with you, Fable; remember that.” I stood up and started shooting at the car as it pulled off.

When they were gone, I looked around. I wasn’t prepared for what I saw. Blood was everywhere; there was no way everyone survived this.

A month later…

“The sports world is in mourning today. The season opener for The KC Queens has been rescheduled due to the entire Stone ENT family attending one of their own’s funerals. We here at SportsCenter send our condolences to the family of-”

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