tha fuck up.”
“But this isn’t about havin’ big balls and it’s not about you!” They glared at one another. “THIS ISN’T CEREAL! OR GOLD AT THE END OF A FUCKIN’ RAINBOW! THIS IS MY FUCKIN’ LIFE, DAD!” He beat on his chest. “This is deeper than a fight with Tomas. This shit has been boiling over since we were kids, and you know this! You know what sparked this! Just when things were looking good, coming together, everything’s falling the fuck apart! I left two messages for my boss and haven’t heard shit back! There were so many people who wanted my job that there is no way he’ll hold onto me, so it’s probably a wrap. I’m hiding from the woman I’m falling in love with because I don’t know what the hell to say to her, how to explain this shit, and—”
“Just tell her the truth.”
“Oh, really? I hadn’t thought of that.” King rolled his eyes. “No matter how I twist it, change the words around, rearrange them, it all sounds bad. ‘A, baby, I got arrested for beating the shit out of my brother last night, spent the night in jail and now I’m unemployed, about to be evicted in a month or two, and will likely spend more time in jail for an indefinite amount of time. But we can still kick it and maybe we can have conjugal visits.’ Yeah, that sounds real good. I’m certain she’d never want to leave my side after hearing that offer she can’t refuse.”
“What’s the alternative then, King? Why can’t you just spit it out?”
“I can’t because I give a shit what she thinks of me!” His own voice rang through his ears, his head hurt, his body ached. “I don’t want to fuck this up… not any more than I already have.” He took a deep breath. “The cherry on top is that I have an amazing art show coming up soon that could be thrown in the garbage if I’m serving time. There are big name people flying in to see my work. If I lose this opportunity, I’m fucked.” He threw up his hands and laughed dismally. “God. Tomas got what he wanted, to fuckin’ make my whole existence explode.” Heat raged within him and his heart thumped so hard, it hurt.
Dad crossed his arms, his face impassive.
“You have to do something then, King. You already told me on the way over here that you won’t let me help. You’re going to need help. I know you’re independent and all of that shit, and that’s good, but to get out of this jam, you’re going to need some assistance.”
King huffed and averted his gaze as he gathered his thoughts. Out the window, he saw cars driving past, the sound of honking reaching his ears. He stood at last, grabbed his phone off the kitchen counter, and returned to sit across from his father.
After doing a quick Google search, he made a call.
“Hi, my name is King Chrysalis. I need to speak to an attorney, please…”
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Best Kept Secret
The grave that you dig for someone else may just end up being your own…
Suri massaged her aching calf muscle while listening to Xavier Omär’s ‘SURF’ playing on her phone. She’d left work early, which she rarely did, but she’d been too distracted. Besides, she had plenty of sick days saved up. After leaving a couple of voicemails and sent a few (yet unanswered) text messages to King, she resolved he was either unable or didn’t wish to respond. All she knew was that he’d left the jail – but he’d given her no further information. Until now.
Her entire apartment smelled like him. Deep inhale. Deep Exhale. Just like his hard, smooth thrusts. Breathe in. Breathe out. More of the same. He took her breath away. His scent became her sight. Her sight, his vision, and they both could hear the world spinning backwards on its axis. Heated black leather, splashes of shocking red paint, traces of a sweet kiss dipped in wine and ruthless words…
She brought her fingers to her mouth, still relishing the feel of his skin against hers. His needy, fervent kiss emblazoned there. Memories rolled within her brain of the taste and feel of his thick, long dick thrusting into, and hitting the roof of her mouth. Panties instantly wet… and yet, right then, he was nowhere around. She pointed to the spot he’d once occupied. He’d stood right there, held her close, gliding his