Page 89 of Dope Boys: Most Wanted
“You can never do nothing to my armor, Speechless,” he grumbled. “I don’t need the details. I’ve seen the marks and the scars. I’m clear on that. And the fucked up part is I can’t kill that nigga yet.”
“I can and I did. The problem with being so close to you is that they’re going to use me to get to you, and I let you walk into something that could’ve turned out differently. For that, I’m sorry. I’m not sorry for stabbin’ that nigga though. He had that coming, and I’m tired of people looking at me and thinking I’m weak,” Reign started. “I’m tired of being weak. I’m tired of being broken. I am tired of being voiceless. And I’m over not having a true sense of self. I never had that until you. I’m sorry for withholding information. For lying next to you and not tellin’ you what I ran from. And I wanted to so bad. Every time I started, it’s like fear froze me.”
“You didn’t trust me,” Markus rumbled. “You didn’t show me your scars because you didn’t trust me with them. Don’t get me wrong, standing that close to that nigga and having an idea of the hell he put you through and not being able to take that nigga out, sent me further over the edge. But I understand in the beginning why you didn’t. Nia told me you’d needed to trust me. You could’ve warned ya nigga about that nigga. I just got to experience what peace is, I can’t lose that shit now.”
Reign placed her hands on his chest and watched his entire being relax. “You’re scared. And I am too. We can be scared or we can fight back.”
“I need his pipeline. But more than that, I fuckin’ need you. You did something to me.”
She nodded. “I know. But you don’t need him. He wants me back, and I’m not going. I told you I was yours. I meant that.”
“Damn right you ain’t,” Markus grumbled. “I got a plan.”
“Want to tell me, or am I in time out?” Reign sassed, pulling away only to be pulled back and kissed.
His forehead gently butted against hers. “I owe you an apology, too.”
“No, you don’t.”
“I do. Because I have a feeling no one ever apologized to you. And I yelled at you, and you jumped. I’m sorry. You’re the only thing I got that’s pure. The thought of losing you drives me insane.”
“Don’t let it. I’m here. You marked me. I’m okay with that.”
“You sure, shit is going to get real, Speechless.”
“You’re right, it is. You’re about to become a Don. I only need three things from you,” Reign spoke up, moving away toward the stove.
“Name them,” he replied right on her heels.
“One, sit down. I made you dinner. Two, actual security at the shop, because I like working and my clients like feeling safe. Three, get your head right and fix your circle.”
“What you sayin’ to me?”
“What you know. I know they’re your family, and if I’m crossing the line, say that, but Angel and B have no good intent. With what you’re about to step into, you’ll have to make a choice. It’s you or them.”
“I’m handling them,” he assured.
“Okay. You’re about to have more money than you know what to do with. It’s time to diversify your portfolio.”
“You can help with that?” Markus’ brow peaked. He found it amazing how Reign could wrap him up in a vortex, spin him around in a mirage of feelings, and then place him down softly. All the while making the pressure on his shoulders feel weightless and straightening his crown. If he were being completely honest, he didn’t know he was wearing one until she peered at him.
“I can help with whatever you need. I know how to grow a business.” Reign shrugged her shoulders. “That, outside of hair, has always been something I was good at.”
“You good at a lot of shit,” he said.
Reign turned around, holding a pasta bowl of homemade chicken parmesan and placing it on the counter next to a basket of bread and a salad. She was anticipating Nia and Svyn staying to help eat all of this food. “You’re trying to gas me because you want to hold my foot tonight.”
He waited until she put the bowl down to pull her close again. “No gas. You good at everything you do. You got some real power on you, in you, around you.”
Markus brushed a curl out of her face, making her shoulders relax. “Can we start tonight over?”
He peppered a series of kisses on her face. “Yes.”
“Welcome home, Emilliano. I’ve missed you,” she muttered against his lips, only for him to nip at them. “How was your trip?”
“Stressful and a nigga needs to take some fuckin’ edge off,” he grumbled, his hands caressing the growing roundness of her ass. “I missed you too.”
“How about you eat?” Reign hummed between kisses to his lips. “And then you join me in the shower?”
