Page 5 of Tempted to Love You
Quickly diverting my gaze, I stare at my lap while trying to control the rapid beating in my chest. Melinda’s worry had seeped into my mind, making me desperate to help her locate her sister, so I had to see this through despite the weak feeling surging in my legs. The vein in my neck is pulsing wildly, and my hands are beginning to perspire, yet I’m here now, so I can’t turn around. My stomach flips when the gravity of what I’m about to do pierces my psyche.
“Fine, but I hate this shit, Latia.”
“It’s too late for scolding.”
Placing my earbud in my ear, I turn the car off and exit, pausing to gather my bearings when the night air hits my face.
Closing the door, I look left and right before starting my canvas at the first building on the left. Unlike the people moving in and out of the other two buildings, the first seems less active, making my decision easier.
“I’m moving,” I whisper.
Keisha’s background becomes silent, letting me know she’s turned off the music previously playing or lowered the volume. With my rapt eyes bouncing around the area, I move casually along the path toward the building entrance. Upon reaching the door, I pull the handle with my eyes bulging slightly at the creaking of the old door announcing my entrance. To my immediate right is an area for the resident’s mail to be insertedinto slots. There’s an island-like structure toward the back where two rats are running back and forth like they’re playing tag.
“Girl, you know you’re in uncharted territory when the rats don’t fear people moving around,” I whisper.
“Tuh. You better hope that’s the worst you’ll see,” Keisha aggressively voices, reminding me of her displeasure about this situation.
“Trust me, I know. I’m gonna call you back, though. I don’t want to draw any attention to myself.”
“What the hell? That’s about as dumb as your presence in that neighborhood,” Keisha rants.
“Maybe, but let me do this. You have my location, and I’ll call you back within the hour.”
“If I don’t hear from you, I’m calling the police. Don’t play with me, Latia.”
Sighing, I hang my head while nodding before responding to Keisha.
“Okay. I’ll be in touch soon.”
Tapping my earbud, I disconnect the call just as prickles dance along my arms.
“What the fuck you doing here, bitch?” a deep masculine voice rings out, instantly freezing my blood and reinstating my urge to lose my bladder.
“Oh, shit!” I mumble.
My racing heart and shaking limbs make it impossible for me to speak and difficult to breathe normally when intense heat hits my back.
Oh, God! This isn’t the way I planned to die.
My breaths are choppy, my vision is blurry from the water slipping from the corners of my eyes, and the thought of my parents getting a call about my blood smearing the ground has my insides in shambles.
“I knew that pale-faced cunt would try some slick shit after she got the hint to stay away from here. Does she think sending your ass here would do besides provide a headline she deserved?”
The man’s rank breath hits my face, twisting my stomach, yet I’m incapable of responding.
His hollow, blank, and dark eyes flash with murderous intent to match the gun he has pressed against my chin. Fear knots within me at what’s about to happen, making me instantly regret ending the call with Keisha. Panic is rioting with me, and my knees are struggling to keep me upright. This man’s name is foreign to me, but his authority in this neighborhood has to be high because no one questioned him snatching me out of the building at gunpoint. He has me standing flush against the wall outside, yet no one has attempted to stop him. What makes the situation worse is the darkness surrounding our present location, making it easy for him to kill me.
“What the hell are you doing, Kodak?” Whoever the newcomer is has a resigned tone with a quiet emphasis in his question that brokers no room for rebuttal.
“About to teach this bitch a lesson in meddling in business she shouldn’t,” the man I now know as Kodak barks without removing his piercing gaze from me.
My breaths hitch when Kodak presses the gun harder into my chin, causing a pinch of pain to spread across the bottom half of my face.Lord, I promise if you get me out of this, I’ll make better decisions about the assignments I take on in the future.
“I can’t let you harm this woman, man. She’s clearly not from around here, which means ending her will only bring more heatto your turf. Is that what you want?” the mystery man asks, and something in his calm tone has my heart rate elevating for a different reason.
My stomach is fluttering, and my mouth is flooding with moisture, which is inappropriate under these circumstances. Yet, hearing the mystery man’s deep, husky, gratifying voice makes me curious to know more about him. There’s a quiet yet challenging authority within his delivery that instantly puts my mind at ease. His calm authority also makes my body warm and my lower region thump. In his presence, despite not being able to look at him, I feel like I’m gonna make it out of here alive.
“Damn. Alright, you got it, AC, man,” Kodak says, hanging his head for a second before returning his attention to me. “You better thank whatever God you believe in that my man was here to save your ass. However, if I see your ass around here again, your ass is done for. Now, get the fuck outta here before I scatter your thoughts.”
