Page 13 of Merci

“If I handle this as your lawyer, we’ll lie to defend your husband’s honor and name. The risk with that is a murder trial for you that can be completely avoided. Even if I do get you off, your family won’t be able to grieve and heal until after the circus of the trial dies down. You don’t have an alibi for that night that you want made public because of where you’d spent your evening, so even though I’m confident I can get you off, it would be easier if I handled this as a crisis management case and told the truth. It will tarnish your husband’s character but prove your innocence.”

Her head hung as I gave her time to process what I said. “If we tell the truth, I can present everyone in that house as a suspect, and the police won’t waste their time on you. Eventually, the scandal of your husband’s infidelity and sexuality will be long forgotten. You’ll be seen as the grieving widow and victim of your husband’s lies and betrayal, and youwon’t have to face any jail time.” When she gulped and bobbed her head, I continued.

“Martaveous told my team that you paid him that night for his silence. However, he’s willing to come forward and tell the truth with the caveat that he can keep the money since it’s untraceable. He will tell the police they were together that night, and he has time-stamped video proof. He will also testify that he heard Dennis arguing with a second lover who snapped when he saw them together. While Martaveous didn’t see the murderer, he’s confident he can identify the person’s voice.”

Sitting up in my seat, I told her, “You need to decide what matters more to you. Protecting the man who cheated on you, God only knows how many times, or your freedom. My team can have Martaveous give his statement first thing tomorrow morning, and I can guarantee you the charges against you will be dropped shortly after.”

Maya chewed on her bottom lip and rocked as she considered my words before saying, “Okay. Let’s tell the truth.”

Pleased with her choice, I stood and assured her that my team and I would take care of everything before giving the two members in the room with us their next set of instructions. It took a couple of hours, but by the time everything had been confirmed with Martaveous and the D.A. to meet in the morning, Maya appeared more at peace. I couldn’t imagine how hard it was on her to not only find out her husband had multiple lovers but to also die at the hands of one and then be accused of his murder. I wanted to get her out of this mess so she could grieve and heal and move on with her life.

Once she and her father left my office, I couldn’t wait to head out for the day myself. Crisis management was exciting but draining as hell. My days were often long when I was working with a client, and the only reason that hadn’t been the case with Maya was because her situation was pretty black and white. All Ineeded to do was convince her not to offer herself as a sacrifice for her husband, and the truth would work in her favor, but that wasn’t always the case.

As I always did, I checked my phone notifications before I left to see if there was anything pressing that I needed to address before driving, and when I checked my calendar and saw the dates Merci had marked off in red, her compliance was the perfect end to a busy day.

9

MERCI

“If you don’t tell him to come up here, I’m going to call Cujo and tell them where we are,” Ariel threatened, and I couldn’t help but roll my eyes.

She and I were out having drinks with Heir, and I was so annoyed by David blowing my phone up, begging for another chance. It wasn’t until I told him I was going to have my brothers beat him up if he didn’t stop calling me that he finally stopped, but I was so aggravated by his calls that it had temporarily ruined my mood. I couldn’t stand him feeling entitled to forgiveness and a second chance like he hadn’t been cheating on his baby mama with me. It was the audacity that was pissing me off more than anything.

“I don’t know why you think he needs to come up here,” was what I said, but that didn’t stop me from sending Hammer my location.

I couldn’t lie and act like I wasn’t intrigued by him, and I did appreciate the effort he was putting behind getting me. One could only hope he applied that same pressure to keep me. And it was cute that he didn’t even let a day go by before he came to see why I’d blocked him. I also gave him bonus points for not showing up empty-handed.

Ariel told me that he called her and Cujo while they were having breakfast and got some information on me, and if what she said was true, I’d have to be careful with Hammer. I would say my love languages were quality time and acts of service. He was always catering to me in a way that had me feeling tender toward him, and if he wasn’t sincere, I’d definitely need to slow down.

“Because every time we say his name, you smile,” was Heir’s response.

“Plus, he’s been working hard these last few days to get a chance. He was really concerned when you blocked him. I think he’s a genuine guy, sis,” Ariel added.

“Don’t use me as an excuse to call Cujo,” I said, needing to not only downplay what was happening between Hammer and me but also get the attention off me. “If you want to see the man, just say that.”

“Uh,” Ariel groaned with a smile. “I won’t deny that I’m insanely attracted to Cujo, but it’s nothing more than that. He’s the distraction y’all been wanting me to have, but that’s it. And it’s not sexual. We’re strictly friends. Hell, I can’t even say we’re friends. Maybe just companions. Strangers enjoying each other’s presence. We really don’t even talk like that. He just… keeps me from getting too lost in the reality of my divorce.”

“I mean, that’s better than you isolating and being locked in the house,” I reasoned.

“I agree,” Heir cosigned. “And him being fine doesn’t hurt either. Y’all might not talk a lot, but at least you got something good to look at.”

We all laughed and toasted to that before ordering another round of cocktails and small bites to share. By the time the food arrived, I smelled Hammer’s cologne before I saw him. It was spicy, woodsy, and fresh all in one. Inhaling a deep whiff, I lickedmy lips as my eyes fluttered. When I felt his lips on my neck, I shivered as my nipples hardened.

My mind unraveled when Hammer gently pulled me out of my seat and into his arms. His wide body was solid and warm, making it easy to melt against him. A low sigh escaped me as he held me close, and though I wouldn’t admit it, having him here had already made me feel so much better.

“Tell ya people good night,” he commanded softly but with an authority that made it clear he knew I’d do as he said.

“G-good night,” I stuttered with a grin, waving as he led me away by my hand.

The sound of their oohing and cackling would have embarrassed me under different circumstances, but I was so happy to see Hammer I didn’t even care.

“You drive?” he checked, looking down at me with a barely-there smile.

“Uh, no.”

For a while, all I could do was stare into his dark eyes. They were underturned and lazy, and I loved looking into them. Quite frankly, I loved looking at Hammer, period. He was fine as fuck. Milk-chocolate-brown skin—my favorite shade of black man. His blunt-brown lips were juicy, and they looked soft as hell. His mustache-goatee connected to a short, scruffy beard. The tattoos only added to his sex appeal, and the gold grills and jewelry complemented his brown skin perfectly.

“We gon’ chill for a lil while on the river, and then I’ma take you home. That cool?” he confirmed, opening the door and leading me out.