Page 220 of Lau Ahi
I kicked her one more time as she cried out in pain before turning on him. “This bitch sexually assaulted me for days and I’m letting her live. Be thankful I had an ounce of humanity left in me or else I’d end her life and yours for stopping me.”
His eyes danced as though he was amused and I didn’t find anything funny. But when he released me and stood upright I felt myself calm.
“I’m here to protect my friend’s wife and ensure you’re getting the justice you deserve. Trust me, I’ll throw this bitch in a safe house while she heals up. I just can’t have you break her pelvis or else I’d have to find her a doctor.”
“Let her suffer. She deserves it.”
“She does. But you deserve to live a life that is no longer burdened with anything that has to do with her or him. Let me take care of this for you. It’s the least I can do for my brother’s wife.”
“No matter her punishment it will never be enough. Natalie died because of a lie. A fake initiation ritual she convinced some spoiled kid to take part in. Her selfishness caused girls overseas to be trafficked, their lives cut short because she wanted to feel as though she belonged. Nothing will ever be enough based on what she’s done.”
His eyes were soft and I knew he empathized with me more than I could imagine. “I know. But you need to go home. You can’t be here when I call this in. As it is you’ve fucked her up pretty bad and now I’ve got to lie and say she tried to get away.Do you know how they’re going to dig in my ass for bringing her in all fucked up?”
I cringed because he was a double racial minority like Ori so I was sure they were going to give him hell.
“Apologies.”
He couldn’t keep a straight face and began to laugh since he knew I didn’t regret one punch thrown.
“Don’t worry about it. Once they know what’s going on they aren’t going to believe anything that she says. Including anything about you.”
I hadn’t thought of her opening her fucking mouth but she was weak enough to try something like that. I’d expected to kill her and it felt strange leaving a victim alive but I would have to trust Alec for now.
“I’ll be at the penthouse. I want to know everything once you have time to tell me.”
He nodded and it looked as though he was going to drag me out if I didn’t hurry and get out of his crime scene.
I nodded back to him knowing I needed to get out of his way and let him handle everything.
“I’ll be sure to watch the news.”
WELINA HOU
ORI
“The fuck are you doing here?”
My gun was at the side of his head having gotten the drop on him. Despite this being his club, he should’ve known better than to walk into any space with dark walls and hallways without flipping on a light. The hall only had sconces on, which allowed for multiple places for anyone to hide.
“Me? Nigga, you’re the one who’s supposed to be dead but you questioning my presence? Where they do that shit at,Lazarus?” Hakeem’s face was contorted in aggravation as he flipped on the switch next to us bringing up the full hallway lights.
None of this was funny but with the way my life had been fucked up in the last few months I was glad that something was lighthearted in this bitch. I laughed. Like genuinely laughed at this man whom I was happy to see.
He looked surprised at the sound and I had to remember he had never seen me any way but serious.
I tucked my gun in my waistband because I knew he wasn’t a threat. The things I learned about my life after I’d died were surprising. But it was all the information I needed to help me come back. And live completely.
“How long have you been a part of this?”
I wasn’t about to ignore the elephant in the room. It was too fucking big and too damn noisy for me to pretend it wasn’t there by trying to fake niceties I didn’t feel. Part of me was thankful that he had been in position while I’d been gone.
Five months. Longer than I’d been allowed to enjoy being married to my wife. I had to disappear because too many things were closing in on me at once. Staying would’ve put Asha in danger and despite knowing she was gonna try to cut my dick off the second she saw me, I’d rather be a eunuch than to be without her.
Gotdamn I am really in love with her.
“Since I was old enough to know what the hell was really going on with our family.” Hakeem sighed and I knew having to be deceitful had to have weighed on him. He’d carried secrets only being allowed to divulge a little at a time because of our family. My return meant he could unburden himself.
“So, the beginning, then.”
