Page 145 of Rose
“That’s a question you always ask me,” she said. “Why?”
Savior looked away. The wall in his chest trembled, but it didn’t fall. Ahzii walked over, straddling his lap without a word. Her hands cupped his face, forcing him to meet her eyes.
“I don’t deserve good things in my life,” he finally muttered. “I never had them. So when I feel something good... I just assume it’s temporary. That it’ll leave like everything else.”
“Sav,” she said, her voice almost a whisper. “You do deserve good things. You’ve been dealt a fucked-up hand, but you’re not cursed. You’re not unworthy. And I’m not going anywhere.”
He stared into her eyes like he was trying to memorize them.
“I know how it feels to lose good things,” she continued. “But I promise, I won’t be one of them.”
A real smile broke through his silence, and she leaned in to kiss it. Soft. Certain.
“Will I see you later?” she asked, echoing his earlier question with a teasing lilt.
He chuckled, the sound low and warm. “Yeah. You will.”
“Good. See you later, birthday boy,” she said, pressing one more kiss to his lips before climbing out of his lap.
“Allure…” he called after her as she reached the door.
She turned around, eyes already on him like she knew he had something to say.
He stared for a beat, then two. His chest rose with a silent war. He looked like he wanted to say something—something big—but it got stuck in his throat.
“I…” he started, then paused, jaw flexing.
“You what?” she asked, her voice softer than her eyes.
“I need those pictures of us at Disney World,” he finished with a grin.
She laughed, shaking her head. “I’ll be sure to send them to you. Later, Sav.”
She opened the door just as Sin and A’Mazi were pulling up. Both men hugged her like family before stepping inside with wide grins.
“Happy birthday, big-headed ass nigga!” Sincere cracked, dapping him up with the kind of love only a brother could give.
A’Mazi came in right behind him with the same energy. The living room filled with laughter and loud voices as they got to work helping Savior get dressed for the next surprise.
And as Savior stood in front of the mirror, lacing up his shoes, he felt it—familiar excitement. That full feeling in his chest.
He only hoped this time, it didn’t end in blood.
???
Ahzii moved around the secluded room she reserved for Savior, trying to quiet the mix of nerves and excitement bubbling inside her. The blue dress she wore hugged every curve like it was stitched to her body, and the body wave wig framed her face with elegance and softness. She went all out tonight, for him. For a man who never had a real birthday. For a man who, without even knowing it, made her want to give more of herself.
The room was bathed in blue and white, decorated down to every perfect detail. Sarai made sure Gold was closed for the day to give her brother something he’d never had before, something he deserved. Family. Celebration. Love.
“Zii, calm down. Everything is perfect,” Kyre said, cutting through her pacing with a knowing look.
But it wasn’t the setup that had her palms sweating. It was what came next.
She’d invited everyone Savior held close—A’Mazi, Sincere, Macho, Sarai, Keon, Olivia, Aunt Marley, the crew. But she also invited his parents. That part wasn’t her doing. Sarai insisted. Ahzii had never met them, but the stories Savior shared were enough to make her chest burn. She didn’t know how anyone could raise a child the way they had. She would’ve rather had no parents than grow up under their fists and rules.
“It’s not the setup I’m worried about,” she mumbled, eyeing the tequila bottle on the bar like it might save her life. A blunt. A shot. Something.
“Ma, get your daughter. She trippin’,” Kyre called over her shoulder, already moving to help Sarai.
