Page 27 of Love Me Now: Adrian & Kwamé
“The manner in which DeAnna was killed wasn’t the act of a first offender,” Special Agent King stated. “There are victims out there who may be afraid to come forward, or worse.”
Right,I thought.
“I know it’s hard, and I hate to ask. However, will you think about it?” Dr. Lewis asked.
“Please, just think about it,” Special Agent King intoned.
Dothan chimed in then. “My client will be in touch.”
With that, Adrian and I shook the agent’s hand and bid Dr. Lewis goodbye. I felt like I was up a creek, and the current was too choppy to go anywhere.
That night, I laid on Adrian’s chest with a million thoughts swirling through my head. This headspace I was in wasn’t good for the twins, so I did my best to put the thoughts out of my head. Ten minutes later, I was still obsessing over what to do.
“Listen, mama. I know this ain’t what you wanna do. As ya man, I’ma stand ten toes down behind you regardless of ya decision. If you wanna say fuck all ‘em muhfuckas and for every last one of ‘em to mind their business, I fuck wit’ that. On the other hand, if you wanna stand on that stage and speak ya truth, I’ma stand beside you so you don’t fall. It’s all up to you, baby.”
I propped my head back on his chest and sighed. Listening to his strong heartbeat broke through the roar of the erratic heart that beat inside my chest. Adrian was my safe space, my calm in the middle of chaos. He was my stillness with his crazy, mean ass.
“My concern is Jessie. If people find out that she’s Damon’s, it’s going to be messy as hell.” I hated that I had to go throughthis let alone Jessie. We were both innocent but protecting my baby’s name was paramount.
“We can easily solve that,” Adrian stated.
“How?”
He chuckled and said, “I just put an entire damn ring on ya finger, love. Before summer’s over, remember?”
Surprised, I leaned up again to look into Adrian’s dark brown eyes. He looked at me like I was crazy, so I laughed.
“Everything can be done and sealed. No one will find what they’re lookin’ for. Ever.” He was so sure that I didn’t even doubt him.
It only took a beat to pass before I said, “Let’s do it.”
He kissed my forehead, then tilted my chin back to catch my lips. “As scary as it is, I’m proud of you, baby. Don’t let anyone dictate how ya story is told. If you tell it for the world to hear, then there’s no adding to or taking away. Yeah?”
“Yeah,” I replied.
An hour later, I finally fell asleep. I dreamt about flashing lights, heckles, and dozens of headlines plastered with my name and face. This shit was horrible.
Two days later…
Three weeks ago, Adrian showed up on my doorstep, demanding to be a part of my life. Since then, I’d received alet’s be togetherring, a proposal ring, and now…a wedding. So much was packed in this past three weeks. From being banned from spa days to making the sweetest love, three weeks with Adrian seemed like a lifetime.
Where my life began at the farm was where Adrian stood before our closest family members and friends, professing his love for me. With my baby girl standing by my side, I professed my love to Adrian. In his absence, he was able to make me fall in love with him. In his presence, he was capable of continuously reminding me why it was so easy to love him.
His resilience at claiming Jessie as his own was the icing on the cake. My baby was just as clingy to Adrian as he was to her. Whenever she wanted his attention, he gave it to her. At any time she cried, he was there to wipe her tears. Then, there was his protection of her. He didn’t let her out of his sight.Hewas her father through and through.
If there was ever a way to my heart, he tapped into all facets, quietly and effectively. That evening, we made love, consummating our union with declarations, affirmations, and promises that would never be broken.
Before addressing the world with the devastation of my past, I sat down with Margarite and laid everything bear. That was the first time I’d ever seen Margarite breakdown. It was crazy how trauma wasn’t always so personal.
CHAPTER 11
TRINITY STUART
SundaywasthedayI used to reset. However, it felt off today. I woke up late, dragged through my morning routine, and struggled through finishing breakfast on time. Last night, sleep had been restless. A cup of coffee was usually my go-to whenever I needed something to pick me up. Even that wasn’t working.
Sighing, I removed the clothes I wore to church and put them in the hamper to wash later. Getting dinner on the table was my next venture, and I wasn’t too excited about it. Moving through the large mansion I shared with my husband, I bounced my eyes over the fruit of our hard work. We’d come so far in the lasttwenty years. From opposite sides of the courtroom to sharing a love that was stronger than any material known to man, that was how far we’d come. The material things didn’t matter as much as the love we shared.
“How about I take you out for a nice dinner?” my husband said.
