Page 54 of Dope Boys: Most Wanted
“Markus, that little kiss in the office was as far as this is going.”
His head tilted in amusement. “Oh, that’s what you think?”
“It’s what I know.”
He grunted and conceded once he fished his phone out. “Aight. You want your space, you got it. I’ll have a JoyRide take you home and dinner delivered.”
“I can find and cook my own food.”
“I know but I already had plans to take you to dinner, but since it’s fuck me and my plans, it’s the least I could do. You work tomorrow?”
“No, I’m off.”
He nodded and stood, brushing against her. “Bet, enjoy your space. But when I call, answer.”
His feet felt like lead walking away from her. He’d honor her wishes for tonight, possibly find some trouble to get into. Or he’d find himself tossing and turning all night. Her being the first person he saw in the morning and last one he saw at night did something to his nervous system. It kept him away from opening the bottle and dropping pills into his mouth. She kept him and didn’t even know.
He stayed out of the way, stocking the minimal things Nia told him was needed. While he was here, the other salon was being completely stocked and ready for her entrance. When Reign was done, he walked her to the front door.
“Good night, Speechless,” he muttered into the top of her head.
The way she lingered was telling. When she stepped away, it was bittersweet. “Night, Markus.”
He watched her climb into the JoyRide and it pull away. He had the urge to follow it, make sure the driver got her home safely. Instead, he chose to lock up and sit in her chair until the app alerted him she was home.
Markus: set the alarm
Reign: the way you stalk me should be studied
He smirked. Tonight, he’d attempt to be who he was before she altered the chemistry of his brain. He went home and was greeted by the coldness of his house. This wasn’t a home and there was no warmth. He plopped down onto the sofa and stared at the bottle of liquor. Loneliness settling over him.
“We not dancing with the devil tonight.” He pushed himself off the couch and down the hall to the guest room. The bed unmade. He barely slept but at least he had somewhere to lay his head.
He cleaned and changed his bandage, showered, and laid in the bed while his ambitions of taking over Majestic Heightstangled with images of Reign. It was torture in the sweetest way and would be until she was his on her own terms.
It was almostfour in the morning, and she was wide awake, curled in the weighted blanket on the couch. She’d been here since she ate the takeout alone and stared at her phone. It was almost pitiful how she asked for something, and when she got it, she loathed every second.
She yawned, watching the Mahogany Channel. Movie after movie of black love personified. Each movie was full of hope,love, and redemption. It was almost mind-altering, making her believe she could have that too. Some noble man to sweep her off her feet and swipe away the scars of her past.
Reign scoffed and spoke out loud as if someone were there to reply. “You’re tripping. No one is coming to save you. No matter what it seems like.”
That was years upon years of trauma. The prayer she prayed was answered long before she’d prayed it. It wasn’t some valiant knight on a horse who’d been sent. He was a flawed man, littered in tattoos with goons and guns at his disposal. Everything she needed was in front of her if she only turned around.
“I’m not watching this anymore,” she spoke to herself again. She started to change the channel before freezing. There was a sound at the front door. A jiggle of the knob.
Snatching her phone off the coffee table, she maneuvered to the app he showed her nights ago. She pulled up the camera for the front door, finding Markus outside. Reign dropped her head back and groaned. “I can’t get rid of him.”
She didn’t want to get rid of him. Her brain attempted to pump her full of logic, but that damaged heart of hers was beating again. Whether it was need or irritation, she fought to get out of the blanket and stomp to the front door. She disarmed the alarm, unlocked, and yanked the door open.
“Are you trying to break into a house you own?” she sassed just above a whisper.
“I own the house, not the woman inside. Technically, it’s not breaking in either. I know the code, I just can’t see shit,” he huffed. “Left my damn glasses in the truck.”
Reign looked at him oddly for a few seconds before asking. “Why are you here? At four in the damn morning?”
“Why are you up at four in the damn morning?”
She crossed her hands over her chest. “I asked you first.”
